What did the members see in Dennis Edwards, as lead singer that the Contours membership fail to understand? Honestly, it wasn’t the Contours fought that the executives never tried to market them as a romantic group as opposed to a Motown’s version, of the Isleys Brothers doing their duration with the label.
But, this surprised selection was just surprising than the termination, of the face of the Temptations. Who to deep hearted fans will forever be David Ruffin? But, once selected many wasn’t sure , of his abilities to represent the lead spot, of the premier soul group, of the sixties. Did he fail the challenge? Simply put. No!
This sixth Southern born member, from the southern region, of the United States not only earned his spot. He like the man he replaced left his mark, within the Temptations that fans can state exactly the same thing they have said about future members singing Ruffin’s songs. The first light skinned member’s to change the pigmentation, of the group never fail, as the lead vocalist. Of course, he wasn’t assigned a variety of writers to dictate a direction for them to take the group with him aboard. Which his predecessor was able to built his reputation on. The one thing that Dennis Edwards and David Ruffin shared beside being the primary lead singer of the Temptations. Was, in the fact they both profit, from Norman Whitfield’s production.
His first challenge ws getting fans to accept him, as a Temptations. Which wasn’t a easy task but a task that e was able to succeed in doing, as he rode the waves, of guiding them into a new musical truth. We hear people professes that Otis Williams hooked Whitfield onto the Sly Stone’s theme, of music. But other indications seems to support that Norman Whitfield didn’t get any assistance or advice, from anyone. This railblazer, of the new sound of Motown along with Barrett Strong already knew which way he was going to take the Temptations.
And, after the Temptations join the Supremes album originally plannned when Ruffin was a member became a hit, with Edwards in the group. The man, known as Dennis Edwards would soon lead the group into another era, of major hits that surpassed his replacement. Today fans link him to the “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” recorded with the next group , of Temps called, the Classic Five II. Or, to one, of the greatest version of “Silent Night” that has been accepted and cherish by their fans. Splendid arranged by Gil Askey and produced by him in similar manners, of the producer that used them five vocals first on hit records.
Dennis Edwards deserves all the recognition that he gets, as a former member of the group that contains only Otis Williams, from those hit years. Visit many albums that he recorded in the sixties and you realize that Edwards’ sung some great songs showcasing him as a singer. As opposed to the shouter that many knows him as on “Cloud Nine” and Runaway Child” hits he led them upon. On, the “Since I Lost You” recording that was a big hit for the Pips with Gladys Knight he demostrate he could have handle love songs.
Maybe , he lacked the romanticism in his tenderness like David Ruffins, but many vocalist can’t deliver that when they sing a Ruffin’s tune, as a member. Many can’t bring the same tone to Dennis hits when they sing them in concert. To be a Temptations lead vocalist meant to be notice. And, by all indcations Edwards was notice and adored enough to be among the greats to lead the Temptations. Funny, it wasn’t Whitfield that bought the romance out, of the Temptations during his production years with the group.
But, he played apart in it without knowing it when they parted ways and they recorded the “Song For You Project” which showcased his tender side, as lead vocalist. On , a “Song For You” a tune made famous, by the late Donny Hathaway and written by Leon Russell stands out, as Dennis Edwards spotlight on love. And, when he layed his vocals on “Memories” you be shocked that many fans don’t know that’s his voice leading the tune.
As , members come and go within Otis Williams Temptations , the fact remains that his songs like David Ruffin, with make up a great deal, of the material. And, with his Temptations’ Review featuring Dennis Edwards competing against Williams group many fans has anointed his group the better of the two. No amount of lawsuits could stop a man worthy, of being accepted a Temptations. Notice that he also sung on “Standing On The Top” a song written by the late Rick James. Bu, a song that layed the foundation that would have him years later traveling, as part of the Ruffin, Kendricks, Edwards trio that contained the most known voices, of the group.
There’s not to many groups songs you can play and not know the name of the group members. Well, with this group you will know them within minutes, of the song. And, one yo instantly will recognized will be Dennis “Hitman” Edwards, the first to replace a member of the Classic Five unit.