The Temptations were a legendary music group, and you can hear one of their classic hits below.
Their R&B vocals have won them Grammys and have gotten them inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Sadly, The Temptations" lead singer, Dennis Edwards, has passed away today at age 74.
Signing with Motown Records, The Temptations were pioneers in the genre of psychedelic soul as well as for soul and R&B.
The group produced classic hits such as:
"Cloud Nine," back in 1968.
"Papa Was a Rollin" Stone."
"Ball of Confusion."
"I Can"t Get Next to You."
The lineup of The Temptations changed over the years, which is not uncommon for group acts that last for decades.
But Dennis Edwards was the on-again, off-again lead vocalist in the group.
His first stretch lasted from 1968 to 1977.
Even after that first departure, he would return and sing more within the group"s changing roster, returning in the early 1980s.
His contributions to the group as lead singer are significant.
Upon signing with the group, he was credited with heralding a shift to more blues-oriented music that confronted relevant social issues — a change from the previous lead singer"s falsetto.
His overall contributions to music as a genre cannot be measured.
TMZ reports that Dennis Edwards has passed away in Chicago.
The family has confirmed this to multiple news outlets, though they have not yet chosen to divulge his cause of death.
As we mentioned, Dennis Edwards was 74 years old.
He was born on February 3, 1943 in Birmingham, Alabama.
This Saturday would have been his 75th birthday.
Dennis Edwards" fans will remember him for the grit of his voice.
He is treasured for injecting The Temptations" music with new vivacity.
It"s worth noting that every album that the group produced until 1976 charted into the Top 40, with many making it into the Top 10.
His voice was sampled by other music legends like Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. As we said, his impact on the arts was significant.
We wish his loved ones the best. May he rest in peace.
