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'{{Other people|Dennis Edwards}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2018}} {{more citations needed|date=January 2018}} {{Infobox musical artist |name = Dennis Edwards |background = solo_singer |image =Dennis Edwards with the Temptations in 1968.jpg |caption = Edwards performing with [[The Temptations]] on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'' in September 1969. |birth_name = Dennis Edwards Jr. |birth_date = {{birth date|1943|2|3}} |birth_place = [[Fairfield, Alabama]], U.S. |death_date= {{death date and age|2018|2|1|1943|2|3}} |death_place= [[Chicago, Illinois]], U.S. |origin = [[Detroit, Michigan]], U.S. |occupation = Singer |genre = {{hlist|[[Rhythm and blues|R&B]]|[[soul music|soul]]}} |years_active = 1961–2017 |instrument = {{hlist|[[Human voice|Vocals]]|[[piano]]}} |label = {{hlist|[[Motown Records|Motown]]|International Soulville}} |associated_acts = {{hlist|[[The Temptations]]|[[The Contours]]|The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards|[[David Ruffin]]|[[Eddie Kendricks]]}} |website = [https://www.myspace.com/thetemptationsreview The Temptations Review on MySpace] }} '''Dennis Edwards Jr.''' (February 3, 1943 – February 1, 2018) was an American [[soul music|soul]] and [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] singer who was best known as the frontman in [[The Temptations]], on [[Motown Records]]. Edwards joined the Temptations in 1968, replacing [[David Ruffin]] and sang with the group from 1968 to 1976, 1980 to 1984 and 1987 to 1989. In the mid-1980s, he attempted a solo career, scoring a hit in 1984 with "[[Don't Look Any Further]]" (featuring [[Siedah Garrett]]). Until his death, Edwards was the lead singer of The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, a Temptations splinter group. ==Biography== ===Early years and career=== Edwards was born in [[Fairfield, Alabama]],<ref>Colurso, Mary (10-23-2012). [http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/10/dennis_edwards_temptations_rev.html Classic concert: Dennis Edwards back in Magic City with Temptations Review (video)], Ala.com; Retrieved February 17, 2013.</ref> about eight miles from [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]], to Reverend Dennis Edwards Sr. He began singing as a toddler, just two years old, in his father's church. The Edwards family moved to [[Detroit, Michigan]] when Edwards was about ten years old, and Edwards would continue to sing in the church pastored by his father, eventually becoming [[choir director]].<ref name="Interview with Dennis Edwards"/> As a teenager, Edwards joined a gospel vocal group called The Mighty Clouds of Joy, and studied music at the Detroit Conservatory of Music.<ref name="Interview with Dennis Edwards" /> He was not allowed to sing or listen to secular music at home, and his mother disapproved when he began pursuing a career singing [[rhythm and blues]] music.<ref name="Interview with Dennis Edwards" /> In 1961 he organized his own soul/[[jazz]] group, Dennis Edwards and the Fireballs.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |first= |last= |url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p4169|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography by Ron Wynn |publisher=Allmusic.com |accessdate=January 7, 2009}}</ref> In 1961,<ref>[http://www.rnbshowcasemag.com/dennisedwards R&B Showcase Magazine Interview<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Edwards [[sound recording and reproduction|recorded]] a [[single (music)|single]] for the obscure [[Detroit]] label, International Soulville Records, "I Didn't Have to (But I Did)" b/w "Johnnie on the Spot".<ref name="AMG"/> Following time served in the US military, in 1966 Edwards auditioned for Detroit's [[Motown Records]], where he was signed but placed on [[retainer agreement|retainer]]. Later that year, he was assigned to join [[The Contours]] after their lead singer, Billy Gordon, fell ill.<ref name="Interview with Dennis Edwards"/> In 1967, the Contours were the opening act for several [[Temptations]] concerts, and Temptations members [[Eddie Kendricks]] and [[Otis Williams]] – who were considering replacing their own lead singer, [[David Ruffin]] (who was a personal friend of Edwards<ref>Ribowsky (2010), Ain't Too Proud to Beg, pp. 180–188.</ref>), took notice of Edwards and made his acquaintance.<ref name="Interview with Dennis Edwards"/> ===1967–1984: The Temptations years=== Later in 1967, Edwards quit the Contours and was placed back on retainer.<ref name="Interview with Dennis Edwards"/> He attempted to get a release from his contract, as [[Holland–Dozier–Holland]] had promised to sign him to their new [[Invictus Records]], but was drafted in late June 1968 to join the Temptations, who had just fired Ruffin from the act.<ref name="Interview with Dennis Edwards"/><ref name="RuffinMicSteal"/> Ruffin had tipped Edwards off that he was being drafted as his replacement, which eased Edwards's conscience in replacing him.<ref name="Interview with Dennis Edwards">{{cite web|last=Meros|first=Tom|title=Dennis Edwards (Interview)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djjZtVCRBQk}}</ref><ref name="RuffinMicSteal"/><ref name="RuffinReturn">Ribowsky (2010), pg. 187–188</ref> The Temptations officially introduced Edwards on July 9, 1968 on stage in [[Valley Forge, Pennsylvania|Valley Forge]], [[Pennsylvania]]. However, Ruffin, who was attempting to make his way back into the group, crashed the stage during Edwards's lead vocal on "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" to significant applause.<ref name="RuffinMicSteal">Ribowsky, Mark (2010). ''Ain't Too Proud to Beg: The Troubled Lives and Enduring Soul of the Temptations''. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.{{ISBN|978-0-470-26117-0}}, pg. 184–187</ref> He continued similar stunts for about a month until, according to Edwards, the group decided to lay-off Edwards — with the promise of a solo deal from Motown — and rehire Ruffin.<ref name="RuffinMicSteal"/> When Ruffin failed to show for his return engagement in [[Gaithersburg, Maryland]] the next night, Edwards was permanently kept on and the Temptations refused to entertain rehiring Ruffin any further.<ref name="RuffinMicSteal"/> Edwards was the first singer to join the Temptations after their "Classic 5" period. With his rougher gospel-hewn [[human voice|vocals]], Edwards led the group through its [[psychedelic music|psychedelic]], [[funk]], and [[disco]] periods, singing on hits such as "[[Cloud Nine (The Temptations song)|Cloud Nine]]" (1968), "[[I Can't Get Next to You]]" (1969), "[[Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)]]" (1970), "[[Papa Was a Rollin' Stone]]" (1972), and "[[Shakey Ground]]" (1975), among others. Two of these songs, "Cloud Nine" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", won [[Grammy Award]]s.<ref name="AMG"/> During this time, Edwards was engaged to Yvonne "Frankie" Gearing, the lead singer of [[Quiet Elegance]], who toured with The Temptations as their backing group. Edwards remained in the Temptations until being fired by [[Otis Williams]] in 1977 just before the group's departure from Motown to [[Atlantic Records]]. After a failed attempt at a Motown solo career, Edwards rejoined the Temptations in 1980, when they returned to Motown.<ref name="AMG"/> In 1982, Edwards got the chance to sing with Ruffin and [[Eddie Kendricks]] as part of the ''[[Reunion (The Temptations album)|Reunion]]'' album and tour. Edwards began missing shows and rehearsals, and was replaced in 1984 by [[Ali-Ollie Woodson]]. {{citation needed|date=March 2015}} In 1989, Edwards was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] as a member of The Temptations.<ref>[[List of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees|List of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees]]</ref> Edwards was also inducted into Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame with The Temptations in 2013. ===1984–1990: Solo career=== Motown re-launched Edwards's solo career, in 1984 with the [[hit record|hit]] single "[[Don't Look Any Further]]," a duet with [[Siedah Garrett]].<ref name="AMG"/> The album of the same name reached No. 2 on the R&B charts and included the radio singles "(You're My) Aphrodisiac" and "Just Like You."<ref>[http://m.billboard.com/album/dennis-edwards/don-t-look-any-further/6378/review# "Don't Look Any Further Album] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929200823/http://m.billboard.com/album/dennis-edwards/don-t-look-any-further/6378/review |date=September 29, 2010 }}; accessed March 12, 2015.</ref> The 1985 follow-up album ''Coolin' Out'' included the title track, an R&B Top 30 hit; and "[[Try a Little Tenderness]]."<ref>[http://music.msn.com/music/album/dennis-edwards/coolin'-out "Coolin' Out Album], msn.com; accessed March 12, 2015.</ref> When problems arose between Woodson and the Temptations in 1987, Edwards was brought back once again. He and the group recorded the album entitled “Together Again”, featuring the hit single “I Wonder Who She’s Seeing Now”. Edwards was again replaced by Woodson in 1989 after leaving the group for a third and final time. {{citation needed|date=March 2015}} ===1990–1994: Ruffin, Kendricks, and Edwards=== Edwards toured and recorded with fellow ex- David Ruffin is very very hot he is a hotty bugatti the late 1980s as "Ruffin/Kendricks/Edwards, former leads of The Temptations", although nothing was released.<ref name="AMG"/> The 1998 Street Gold DVD ''Original Leads of the Temptations'' documents this historic period.<ref>[http://www.streetgold.com/temps.htm Profile: Ruffin, Kendricks and Edwards], streetgold.com; accessed March 12, 2015.</ref> After the deaths of Ruffin (1991) and Kendricks (1992), Edwards was forced to wrap up the project alone. In 1990, Dennis teamed up with Kendricks to release a dance/club track for A&B Records entitled "Get It While It's Hot". The track was recorded at Fredrick Knight's recording studio in the duo's old home town of Birmingham, Alabama; it was produced and engineered by house music pioneer [[Alan Steward]]. The track created a lot of controversy, as it contained a short rap sequence which did not sit very well with die-hard Temptations fans. Edwards's ''[[Don't Look Any Further]]: the Remix Album'' was released in 1998, containing updated dance mixes and the original 1984 track. {{citation needed|date=March 2015}} ===The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards=== During the 1990s, Edwards began touring under the name 'Dennis Edwards & the Temptations', prompting a legal battle between himself and Otis Williams. It was decided that Edwards's group would be called '''The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards''' (this name remains extant). Edwards's group included Paul Williams Jr. (son of original Temptations member Paul Williams), David Sea, Mike Patillo, and Chris Arnold.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}} Edwards was portrayed by [[Charles Ley]] in the 1998 biographical television mini-series ''[[The Temptations (miniseries)|The Temptations]]'', though he was not heavily focused upon, as the mini-series gave more attention to the Ruffin/Kendricks-era Temptations lineup.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}} The Temptations Review group was inducted into the [[Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame]] on October 4, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan, when Edwards was also given the Living Legend Award.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}} ==Personal life and death== Edwards was admired by singer [[Aretha Franklin]], who stated he was the inspiration behind her 1972 R&B/Soul song [[Day Dreaming (Aretha Franklin song)|Day Dreaming]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thegrio.com/2018/02/02/dennis-edwards-aretha-franklin-day-dreaming/ |title=Throwback Clip: Aretha Franklin talks writing ‘Day Dreaming’ about Dennis Edwards |author=Gerren Keith Gaynor |date=February 2, 2018 |website=The Grio |publisher=<!--Not stated--> |access-date= February 2, 2018|quote=}}</ref> Edwards was briefly married to [[Ruth Pointer]], whom he wed in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] in 1977.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shuler|first=Deadra|date=January 4, 2011|url=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/blakeradio/2011/04/01/topically-yours--dennis-edwards-temptations|title=Topically Yours: Dennis Edwards Interview (podcast)]|publisher=''Rainbow Soul/Blakeradio.com''|accessdate=February 17, 2013}}</ref> The couple had one daughter, [[Issa Pointer]], who became a member of her mother's vocal group, [[The Pointer Sisters]]. Edwards moved to [[Florissant, Missouri]] in the 1980s to be closer to his mother.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/kevin-johnson/legendary-temptations-singer-dennis-edwards-of-florissant-dies-at/article_b4c30cc1-4cb0-5cad-9add-5c639cb61985.html |title=Legendary Temptations singer Dennis Edwards, of Florissant, dies at 74 |work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] |date=February 3, 2018}}</ref> Edwards died in a Chicago hospital on February 1, 2018, two days before his 75th birthday. He had been battling [[meningitis]] before his death.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/02/02/dennis-edwards-temptations-obituary/|title=Dennis Edwards, Temptations Lead Singer, Dead At 74|first=Brad|last=Edwards|publisher=[[WBBM-TV|CBS 2 Chicago]]|date=February 2, 2018|accessdate=February 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Grow|first=Kory|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/temptations-lead-singer-dennis-edwards-dead-at-74-w516296|title=Temptations Former Lead Singer Dennis Edwards Dead at 74|publisher=''[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]''|date=February 2, 2018|accessdate=February 2, 2018}}</ref> ==Discography== {{see also|The Temptations discography}} ===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2" |'''Year''' ! rowspan="2" |'''Song''' ! colspan="3" |Peak Chart Positions |- !'''[[Billboard Hot 100|US]]''' !'''[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US R&B]]''' ![[UK Singles Chart|UK]] |- | rowspan="1" |1968 |"I Didn't Have To (But I Did)" | style="text-align:center;" |– | style="text-align:center;" |– | style="text-align:center;" |– |- | rowspan="3" |1984 |"[[Don't Look Any Further]]" | style="text-align:center;" |72 | style="text-align:center;" |2 | style="text-align:center;" |45 |- |"(You're My) Aphrodisiac" | style="text-align:center;" |– | style="text-align:center;" |18 | style="text-align:center;" |– |- |"Another Place In Time" | style="text-align:center;" |– | style="text-align:center;" |– | style="text-align:center;" |– |- | rowspan="2" |1985 |"Amanda" | style="text-align:center;" |– | style="text-align:center;" |77 | style="text-align:center;" |– |- |"Coolin' Out" | style="text-align:center;" |– | style="text-align:center;" |23 | style="text-align:center;" |– |} ===Albums=== {| class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2" |'''Year''' ! rowspan="2" |'''Album''' ! colspan="3" |Peak Chart Positions |- !'''[[Billboard 200|US]]''' !'''[[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US R&B]]''' ![[UK Albums Chart|UK]] |- | rowspan="1" |1984 |[[Don't Look Any Further (album)|Don't Look Any Further]] | style="text-align:center;" |– | style="text-align:center;" |2 | style="text-align:center;" |– |- | rowspan="1" |1985 |''Coolin' Out'' | style="text-align:center;" |– | style="text-align:center;" |36 | style="text-align:center;" |– |- | rowspan="1" |1993 |''Talk To Me'' | style="text-align:center;" |– | style="text-align:center;" |– | style="text-align:center;" |– |} ==References== {{Reflist|33em}} {{The Contours}} {{The Temptations}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Dennis}} [[Category:1943 births]] [[Category:2018 deaths]] [[Category:Motown artists]] [[Category:Musicians from Birmingham, Alabama]] [[Category:Musicians from Detroit]] [[Category:People from Fairfield, Alabama]] [[Category:People from Detroit]] [[Category:People from St. Louis County, Missouri]] [[Category:American soul musicians]] [[Category:African-American male singers]] [[Category:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees]] [[Category:The Temptations members]] [[Category:American rhythm and blues singers]] [[Category:American soul singers]] [[Category:American funk singers]] [[Category:American disco singers]] [[Category:American pop singers]] [[Category:American tenors]] [[Category:American baritones]] [[Category:The Contours members]] [[Category:Deaths from meningitis]]'