The Temptations Singer Dennis Edwards 1932 – 2018

One of soul’s greatest voices is gone. Longtime Temptations vocalist Dennis Edwards has died at age 74. CBS Chicago’s Brad Edwards broke the news in a tweet. Edwards’ signature singing was at the heart of such classics as “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone,” “Ball Of Confusion” and “I Can’t Get Next To You.”

Edwards was born in Birmingham, Alabama on February 3, 1943 as tomorrow would have been the singer’s 75th birthday. Dennis joined The Temptations in July 1968, after the group’s first era of massive success. The vocalist replaced David Ruffin as lead singer of The Temptations.

It didn’t take long for The Temptations to win critical and commercial acclaim during the Edwards era. Dennis sang lead on 1968’s “Cloud Nine” and 1972’s “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” – both of which earned the group Grammys. Edwards was a member of the group through forays into the psychedelic world as well as funk and disco periods ahead of his departure in 1977. The vocalist “returned home” to Motown Records to begin the most renowed part of his solo career in 1984. All told, Dennis Edwards won 7 Grammys and was awarded 14 gold records. The singer was inducted into the Alabama Hall Of Fame and was asked by President Barack Obama to perform at the 2009 Inaugural Ball.

Dennis Edwards also returned to The Temptations for a few different periods after his initial departure including a four-year era in 1980 – 1984 and the time between 1987 – 1989. More recently, Edwards fronted a band billed as “The Temptations Review.” JamBase sends its condolences to Dennis Edwards’ friends and family.

No cause of death has been reported as of yet, but Edwards was said to have been battling an illness for a lengthy period.

[Papa Was A Rollin Stone]