![]() Their five-part harmonies seemed divinely inspired: sexy, vibrating with energy, the coolest dancers, the Temptations were so ironic that they made otherwise impressive stable-mates like the Four Tops seem mere pop acts. By the end of the decade it became clear that there was no one to rival the Temptations as the finest black American vocal group. Eddie Kendricks (born Edward James Kendrick, Decem October 5, 1992) was an American singer - songwriter. But after 'The Way You Do The Things You Do', the stature of the five-piece grew in almost transcendent leaps as they rigorously weathered and adapted to such storms of fashion as psychedelia and Afro-consciousness. It had been a long haul to that first hit: the group had originally signed to Motown in 1960. The expressive vocalist (who often sang in a falsetto), born Edward James Kendrick, grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, but it was Detroit's Motown label. With the death of Eddie Kendricks, aged 52, from lung cancer yesterday, three of the group have now met early deaths - the gravel-voiced David Ruffin died last year from a drug overdose, shortly after completing a European tour with Kendricks and another former Temptation, Dennis Edwards Paul Williams killed himself in 1973, two years after his alcoholism led to his being sacked from the group. Known for both his years with the Temptations and his major solo hits of the 1970s, Eddie Kendricks was among the many soul legends who did his part to put Motown on the map. he just had a sweet, melodious, captivating, tender sound.' But the ladies really loved Eddie and his style. 'Eddie just had that great, great tenor voice that just was so captivating,' said Esther Edwards, the first manager of the group and the sister of the Motown boss Berry Gordy. Later, debate would rage amongst Motown aficionados about who could sing higher, Robinson or Kendricks. It was as though Robinson was coming as close as he could to performing on the record himself Kendricks's voice closely resembled his own creamy smooth high tone. WHEN Smokey Robinson chose the wispy falsetto of Eddie Kendricks to sing the lead vocals on 'The Way You Do Things You Do' in 1964, he gave the Temptations their first major hit. Known for both his years with the Temptations and his major solo hits of the 1970s, Eddie Kendricks was among the many soul legends who did his part to put. Eddie Kendricks, singer, born Birmingham Alabama 1940, died Birmingham Alabama 5 October 1992. ![]()
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