Dennis Edwards Jr. (February 3, 1943 - February 1, 2018) was an American soul and R&B singer who was best known as the front man 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.
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] Edwards was portrayed by Charles Ley in the 1998 biographical television mini-series The Temptations, though he was not heavily focused upon, as the mini-series gave more attention to the Ruffin/Kendricks-era Temptations lineup.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.
Edwards was admired by singer Aretha Franklin, who stated he was the inspiration behind her 1972 R&B/Soul song Day Dreaming.[12] Edwards was briefly married to Ruth Pointer, whom he wed in Las Vegas in 1977.[13] 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.
Edwards died in a Chicago hospital on February 1, 2018, two days before his 75th birthday. He had been battling meningitis before his death.
9 сен 2024
