He sang some big ones with the group including “I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Ball of Confusion” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” Edwards replaced David Ruffin in 1968 and played with them until 1976 and reunited with the band on a few reunions the following decade.
He actually died in Chicago a day before his birthday. Edwards would have been 75 tomorrow. Edwards was born February 3rd 1943 in Alabama. He was also a member of another soul-singing band that, like the Temptations, were on Motown, the Contours. He was also in the U.S. military before he even walked into Motown in 1966. In 1984 he had a big solo R&B #2 hit called “Don’t Look Any Further,” a duet with Siedah Garrett, he also scored with “(You’re My) Aphrodisiac” and “Coolin’ Out” as a solo artist.
Edwards also toured with Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks using the name “Tribute to the Temptations.” he later got in some legal hot water for using the name ‘Dennis Edwards & the Temptations.” Both he and groups settled with the singer eventually calling his touring show The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards.
Edwards was briefly married to Ruth Pointer, whom he wed in Las Vegas in 1977. They had one daughter Issa Pointer, who became a member of her mother’s vocal group, The Pointer Sisters.
Some reports are saying he passed away in hospital following complications from meningitis. – by John Beaudin
John Beaudin has been in major market radio (Edmonton, Vancouver & Calgary) for 35 years and a music journalist since 1989. He graduated from Broadcasting school as a news man so he would have the skills to write about the artists that inspired him since he bought his first album, “Madman Across The Water” by Elton John as a teen. In the 80’s Beaudin was the host of the syndicated radio show “The Cross Canada Report” which had two version (Rock and A/C). Beaudin was also asked to be a judge at the Juno Awards (Canada’s answer to the Grammys) Twice. He has anchored every position in radio including morning and afternoon drive and was a Program and Music Director for The Breeze and California 103 in Calgary. He currently hosts the popular Lovesongs at QM-FM in Vancouver and on iHeartRadio.
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