Dennis Edwards - Early years and career
Edwards was born in Fairfield, Alabama, As a teenager, Edwards joined a gospel vocal group called The Might Clouds of Joy, and studied music at the Detroit Conservatory of Music.Walt Reeder Entertainment
Following time served in the US military, in 1966 Edwards auditioned for Detroit's Motown Records, where he was signed but placed on retainer.
Walt Reeder
Dennis Edwards - The Temptations years
Later in 1967, Edwards quit the Contours and was placed back on retainer.
Ruffin had tipped Edwards off that he was being drafted as his replacement, which eased Edwards' conscience in replacing him.
Walt Reeder Entertainment: Edwards was the first singer to join the Temptations after their "Classic 5" period. With his rougher gospel-hewn vocals, Edwards led the group through its psychedelic, funk, and disco periods, singing on hits such as "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 Awards.
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. In 1982, Edwards got the chance to sing with Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks as part of Reunion album and tour. Edwards began missing shows and rehearsals, and was replaced in 1984 by Ali-Ollie Woodson.
Walt Reeder:In 1989, Dennis Edwards was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Temptations. Walt Reeder
Dennis Edwards - Solo artist - Walt Reeder Entertainment
Motown re-launched Edwards' solo career, in 1984 with the hit single "Don't Look Any Further," a duet with Siedah Garrett.Walt Reeder Entertainment
When problems arose between Woodson and the Temptations in 1987, Edwards was brought back once again, but was himself replaced by Woodson in 1989 after being fired a third and final time by Williams. Walt Reeder
Walt Reeder
Dennis Edwards
Dennis Edwards (born February 3, 1943) is an American soul and R&B singer, most noted for being one of Motown act The Temptations' lead singers. Edwards first joined the Temptations in 1968, replacing David Ruffin, and sung with the group until 1976, returning from 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).
Walt Reeder Entertainment:Today, he is the lead singer of The Temptations Revue featuring Dennis Edwards, a Temptations splinter group. Walt Reeder
Walt Reeder Entertainment Ruffin, Kendricks, and Edwards
Edwards toured and recorded with fellow ex-Temptations Ruffin and Kendricks during the late 1980s as 'Ruffin/Kendricks/Edwards, former leads of The Temptations', although nothing was released. After the deaths of both Ruffin (1991) and Kendricks (1992), Edwards was forced to wrap up the project alone. In 1990 Dennis teamed up with Eddie 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 and 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.Walt Reeder: Edwards' Don't Look Any Further the Remix Album was released in 1998 containing updated dance mixes and the original 1984 track.
The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards Walt Reeder Entertainment
