Temptations singer Dennis Edwards dies, aged 74
2 February 2018, 22:44 | Updated: 2 February 2018, 22:46
Dennis Edwards, the lead singer of The Temptations, has passed away at the age of 74.
Edwards joined the band in 1968, and continued to sing with them on and off until 1989. He was also the lead singer on massive hits including 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone' and 'I Can't Get Next To You'.
His family confirmed to CBS News that he died on Friday (February 2) in Chicago. He would have turned 75 on Saturday.
The son of a pastor, he studied at the Detroit Conservatory of Music, and started a jazz group named Dennis Edwards and the Fireballs in 1961.
He later auditioned for Motown Records, and became the lead singer for the Contours. He eventually replaced David Ruffin as The Temptations' lead vocalist in 1968.
Edwards left the group to pursue a solo career in 1984, and had hit singles including 'Don’t Look Any Further', a duet with Siedah Garrett.
In 1977, he was briefly married to Ruth Pointer, the eldest member of the Pointer Sisters. The former couple have a daughter, Issa Pointer.
