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Home • News

Temptations' Lead Singer Dennis Edwards Dies At Age 74

Temptations' Lead Singer Dennis Edwards Dies At Age 74
Harmony Gerber/Getty Images
By Lauren Porter · Updated October 24, 2020

The music industry lost another legend with the news that Temptations singer, Dennis Edwards, passed away on Friday.

While CBS Chicago reported that the lead singer of the Motown group died in Chicago, his family did not disclose his cause of death. He was 74.

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Edwards replaced David Ruffin in the summer of 1968 and sang lead on “Cloud Nine, ” “I Can’t Get Next To You,” and “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone.” The singer left The Temptations in 1984 to embark on a solo career, releasing an album, “Don’t Look Any Further” which was followed by, “Coolin’ Out” — both of which hit the R&B charts.

From 1976 to 1977, Edwards was briefly married to Ruth Pointer of the group The Pointer Sisters. The two welcomed a daughter, Issa Pointer, in 1978.

Edwards would have celebrated his 75th birthday on Feb. 3.