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By 1971, The Temptations had become known for their "psychedelic soul" music with songs like "Ball of Confusion," "Psychedelic Shack," and "Cloud 9." Their fans, however, were clamoring for an old-fashioned Temptations-style ballad, so they went into Motown's Hitsville studio in Detroit and recorded one of the "Great Songs of the '70s."
"Just My Imagination" went to #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts, and was named the #9 song for the entire year.
Unfortunately, it was the last Temptations song for two of its founding members. Paul Williams was forced to leave the group due to complications from alcoholism and sickle cell anemia, and Eddie Kendricks (who sang lead) was so tired of the group (and everyone in it), he quit in the middle of an engagement at the Copacabana just a few weeks after the song was released. (He was frustrated at the way things were being run and, as a result, had been fighting with other members of the group.)
Angry or not, Eddie turned in a great performance on this "Great Song of the '70s!"
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