Eddie Kendricks

Eddie Kendricks, actually Edward James Kendrick ( born December 17, 1939 in Montgomery, Alabama; † 5 October 1992 in Birmingham, Alabama) was an American soul singer and former lead singer of the Temptations.

Life

The career of soul singer Eddie Kendricks first began in the late 1950s with the singing trio The Primes before he and his friend Paul Williams came together in 1960 to the Temptations. In 1962 the group a record deal with the legendary Motown label. Eddie Kendricks gentle, bell-like falsetto voice influenced the first hits of the Temptations as The Way You Do The Things You Do, I'll Be In Trouble, The Girls Is Alright With Me and Girl. But by the success of My Girl, he was increasingly being pushed by David Ruffin as lead singer in the background.

1971 Kendricks left the Temptations to start a career as a soloist. Just My Imagination was the last hit of the Temptations in which his voice was heard. Coinciding with Keep On Truckin ', the first single from his solo debut All By Myself, succeeded him in 1971 a No. 1 hit in the U.S. charts. Three years later he was able to repeat this success with the dance number Boogie Down from the eponymous LP. After lull, interest in the music of the former Temptations voice, despite further successful solo albums, significantly.

In 1987, Kendrick teamed up for an album with his former colleague, David Ruffin and was also common with this celebrity guest at a concert of the famous soul -influenced U.S. pop duo Hall & Oates. He was accepted as a member of the Temptations in the rock-' n' -Roll Hall Of Fame in 1989.

Eddie Kendricks died on 5 October 1992 at the age of 52 years to cancer.

Discography

Solo LPs

• All By Myself (1971 )
• People ... Hold On (1972 )
• Eddie Kendricks (1973 )
• Boogie Down (1974 )
• For You (1974 )
• The Hitman (1975 )
• He's A Friend ( 1976)
• Going Up In Smoke (1976 )
• Slick (1977 )
• Vintage '78 (1978 )
• Something More (1981 )
• Love Keys (1981 )

LP with David Ruffin

• Ruffin & Kendrick (1987 )