Richard Street was born on October 5, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan. He began his music career at the tender age of 12, playing piano and singing with his mother's encouragement and support. It was during this time that Richard became an important figure in the growing Detroit music scene. Richard began playing in nightclubs and helping other aspiring performers from the neighborhood hone their craft.

Richard began working with his cousin and best friend, Melvin Franklin to develop that booming bass vocal that would later become the legendary bottom end for the Temptations. He also coached a girl group that grew up in the Brewster Project. This girl group consisted of Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Barbara Martin and Diane Ross. Under his guidance, he helped the girl group and many other musical groups prepare themselves for recording contracts with Motown – known as Hitsville, USA. Years later, the world came to know Florence, Mary and Diane as the famous Supremes.

In 1955, Richard and Melvin Franklin were invited to join a vocal group: Otis Williams and The Distants. Richard fronted the Distants on their regional 1959 hit "Come On", produced by Johnny Mae Matthews. The success of "Come On" prompted an audition for Motown records. Shortly after the audition, Richard elected to leave the group for personal reasons (you'll have to read his upcoming book to find out why). Melvin, Otis and Albridge Bryant along with Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks of the Primes went on to sign with Motown as the Temptations.

Soon after, Richard joined Motown in another capacity. He held a most coveted position in Motown's Quality Control Department, which was responsible for which talent was being considered for the company, and which recordings were selected for record release, and radio air play. In 1964, he produced and co-wrote "Can You Do It" for the Contours.

During this time period, Richard formed a group called the Monitors, which recorded on Motown's V.I.P. label. Joining Richard in the Monitors were Detroit natives Sandra Fagin, John "Maurice" Fagin, and Warren Harris. "Say You", the quartet's first V.I.P. offering, made some R&B chart noise in the early weeks of 1966 on the strength of its gliding mid-tempo groove and alluring harmonies behind Street's lead ("All For Someone' gave the group a swaying, strings-enhanced ballad showcase on the flip).

"Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam)," their V.I.P. encore, climbed to No. 21 on the R&B charts that spring. That year, they also went on to record "Number One In Your Heart," a torrid rocker by Clyde Wilson and Wilburt Jackson supervised by Harvey Fuqua and Johnny Bristol, "Since I Lost You Girl," an ear-catcher with a driving beat that Street and Harris contributed to as writers; and "Don't Put Off 'Til Tomorrow What You Can Do Today".

Richard was on fire on "Bring Back The Love," another pounder by James Dean, William Weatherspoon, Eddie Holland, and Jack Goga in the spring of 1968. Its flip was a reprise of the Temptations '63 spine-tingler "The Further You Look, The Less You See". Both sides of their last 45, the brotherhood plea "Step By Step (Hand In Hand)" and "Time Is Passin' By," were sizzlers supervised by Dean and Weatherspoon issued in mid-'68 on Soul.

In 1968, Soul issued an album, Greetings! We're the Monitors that held nearly all their singles plus a few tunes unavailable elsewhere, "Share A Little Love With Me", "Serve Yourself Another Cup Of Happiness", "Baby Make Your Own Sweet Music" and "You Share the Blame" penned by Smokey Robinson and fellow Miracle Ronnie White.

The Monitors disbanded in late 1968, but Richard would not be idle for long. In late 1969, he began touring with his long time friends the Temptations, singing parts for an ailing Paul Williams from on off-stage microphone. Paul officially left the group in 1971, and Richard assumed his rightful place with the Temptations full time.

After the arrival of Richard, there was a notable shift in direction. Within a few years The Temptations were tracking topical subjects such as the Vietnam War and urban poverty. He delighted television, stage, radio and record-buying audiences with his leads on "Heavenly", "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "Firefly", "Hey Girl", "Masterpiece", "Every Time I Close My Eyes", "I'll Keep My Light In My Window", "Super Star", "Show Me Your Love", "Bare Back", "Standing On the Top", "Love Comes At Christmas", from the Christmas album "Everything for Christmas", "Papa Was a Rolling Stone", and many more. With the Temptations, Richard received three Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, and an NAACP Award. He was also there when The Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

For over 22 years as a member of the Temptations, Richard performed thousands of shows, visiting over 40 countries worldwide. Richard continues to keep the music of the Temptations alive, touring with his own group throughout the world. Their shows are chalked full of all of the hits performed to perfection, "the way it used to be". Richard is also currently working on his biography, "Ball of Confusion" the true story of the Temptations.