Reporting on some major passings here early in 2026
These individuals have been a lead vocalist for the the group Three Dog Night; acted in movies and TV such as Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and SCTV; was the original bassist for the band Funkadelic; and acted in movies and television such as Sanford and Son, Baby… I’m Back!, and The New Odd Couple.
Green as in envious.
The British use of “green” to mean “envious” originates from ancient associations between the color green and emotions like jealousy and envy. This connection dates back to at least Shakespearean times, as seen in Othello (1603), where Iago refers to jealousy as the “green-eyed monster.” In modern British English, saying someone is “green with envy” remains a common idiom, meaning they are intensely jealous.
The “Classic Five” lineup, consisting of Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, and David Ruffin, is widely regarded as the most successful and influential period for The Temptations.
The Temptations originated in Detroit, Michigan, and were formed in 1960. Initially named “The Elgins,” the group was a merger of two Detroit-based vocal groups, The Primes (which included Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams) and The Distants (which included Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Elbridge “Al” Bryant). They eventually signed with Motown Records and changed their name to The Temptations in 1961.
