Originally a member of The Contours, in the summer of 1968, Edwards was given the unenviable task of replacing his friend David Ruffin as the voice of Motown's most popular group aside from The Supremes. Ruffin did not help matters when he crashed Edwards' debut and several other Temptations' concerts that summer.
But Edwards would persevere and leave his vocal imprint on the group singing lead on such hits as "Cloud Nine", "I Can't Get Next to You", "Ball of Confusion" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone". Edwards remained with the group until he was fired by Temptations' founder Otis Williams prior to the departure from Motown in 1977, but would rejoin the group in 1980. After embarking upon a solo career in the mid-1980's, Edwards rejoined The Temptations in 1987, but was fired by Williams again in 1989. Edwards also toured and collaborated with Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick, but their deaths in the early 1990's derailed the trio's plans.
Edwards formed his own version of The Temptations during the 1990's raising the ire of Williams. After starting out as Dennis Edwards & The Temptations, the group became The Temptations Revue featuring Dennis Edwards. This group remained active until Edwards' death.
It sure was a ball of confusion. But Edwards help make that confusion sound pretty good. R.I.P.
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