Remembering Dennis Edwards Through His Music.........

**marv2** · 02-02-2018, 08:52 PM

At this time I thought it would be appropriate to remember the late, great Dennis Edwards through some of the many memorable music classics he has left us with. Here's one that immediately came to my mind:

**marv2** · 02-02-2018, 09:31 PM

**marv2** · 02-02-2018, 09:38 PM

From 1987, probably my last favorite recording of Dennis:

**kenneth** · 02-02-2018, 10:30 PM

I always thought the "Song For You" was Dennis' shining hour as a Temptation, even though it didn't have the same number of hits as some of the earlier albums. It was such a great piece, and so cohesive. It really showed Dennis could sing any kind of song and the Tempations were still much more than the "Norman Whitfield Singers" which they were sometimes dismissed with by critics.

Thanks for posting, Marv2!

**edafan** · 02-02-2018, 10:31 PM

My favourite music video: I Wonder

If Billy Dee Williams told me not to sing this song ever again,
I wouldn't.

And think that Melvin, Richard & Dennis are in Heaven

edafan

**marv2** · 02-02-2018, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by kenneth

I always thought the "Song For You" was Dennis' shining hour as a Temptation, even though it didn't have the same number of hits as some of the earlier albums. It was such a great piece, and so cohesive. It really showed Dennis could sing any kind of song and the Tempations were still much more than the "Norman Whitfield Singers" which they were sometimes dismissed with by critics.

Thanks for posting, Marv2!

Your welcome Kenneth. "A Song for You" was definitely Dennis at his best. A bona fide classic now.

**kenneth** · 02-02-2018, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by marv2

Your welcome Kenneth. "A Song for You" was definitely Dennis at his best. A bona fide classic now.

The whole album was great. "Firefly," "I'm a Bachelor," "Shaky Ground," "Glass House." That's the kind of album that at a party you would play an entire side and everyone would keep dancing. And yes, great "Memories."

**marv2** · 02-02-2018, 10:37 PM

I was in the 7th Grade when this one came out and I loved this song:

**marv2** · 02-02-2018, 10:40 PM

A Song For You........

**mysterysinger** · 02-02-2018, 10:49 PM

One of the most memorable lines in music history - you'll already know it - fast forward to 1:55 if you wish.......

**marv2** · 02-02-2018, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by mysterysinger

One of the most memorable lines in music history - you'll already know it - fast forward to 1:55 if you wish.......

People all over the World know that line and this song now. Thank you Mysterysinger.

**lockhartgary** · 02-02-2018, 11:15 PM

Love his rapid fire delivery here:

**mysterysinger** · 02-02-2018, 11:32 PM

Not forgetting .....

**marv2** · 02-03-2018, 12:34 AM

Dennis sang the lead on Motown's first Grammy Award Winner........"Cloud Nine"!

**marv2** · 02-03-2018, 12:39 AM

I remember skating to this one at my first roller skating party in 1969:

**marv2** · 02-03-2018, 10:12 AM

There was a time when it seemed like the Temptations had a new hit record on the radio every 2-3 months and this was one of them......

**McMotown** · 02-03-2018, 01:38 PM

Lovely tribute everyone and such gems all of them.

**Motown Eddie** · 02-03-2018, 01:47 PM

One of my early favorites by Dennis Edwards is The Contours' "Your Love Grows More Precious Everyday". The B-side of "It's So Hard To Be A Loser", the song features a killer lead by Dennis and is a taste of what he would bring to The Temptations.

**marv2** · 02-03-2018, 03:55 PM

Dennis could certainly sing and shout with the best of them. What made Dennis especially unique is that he always remained humble and down to Earth through it all! He never acted like "A Star" and was always approachable. Just a real decent guy; a good human being.

**arr&bee** · 02-03-2018, 04:39 PM

Great tunes,i hope you all like my tribute also.

**marv2** · 02-03-2018, 07:40 PM

One of my favorite vocals by Dennis in the 80s, "Power"!

**marv2** · 02-04-2018, 09:50 AM

I loved this one! It never gets played anymore for some reason: Here is what Wikipedia says about the single-

"Let Your Hair Down" is a 1973 single by American vocal group The Temptations. Dennis Edwards sings lead on the song and the group is backed by Rose Royce on the track. The song originally appeared on the Temptations 1973 album, 1990. Released as a single in November of that year, it reached the number one spot on the R&B Singles Chart in February 1974 [[their last R&B #1 with collaborator Norman Whitfield)

**snakepit** · 02-04-2018, 10:27 AM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz2nYNGVUFs

Johnny on the spot

**snakepit** · 02-04-2018, 10:29 AM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a3SlB7-cfqU

I didn't have to, but I did

**marv2** · 02-04-2018, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by snakepit

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a3SlB7-cfqU

I didn't have to, but I did

Snakepit, when did Dennis record this one? It has an Edwin Starr feel to it.

**snakepit** · 02-04-2018, 11:53 AM

About 1967..before joining Tempts.

**marv2** · 02-04-2018, 12:00 PM

Here is another excellent solo from Dennis that I do not recall hearing before. "Soulmate"

**marv2** · 02-04-2018, 12:05 PM

"Let's Go Up"! Diana Ross covered this song as well. I like Dennis' version better here:

**snakepit** · 02-04-2018, 12:31 PM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hJQnfGz3b4g

Take him back

**marv2** · 02-04-2018, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by snakepit

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hJQnfGz3b4g

Take him back

Another great one and thank you. As great of an artist that Dennis Edwards was, it would seem to warrant a multi-disc anthology if not an outright box set covering his work from the beginning thru several live recordings with his group Dennis Edwards and the Temptations Revue.

**snakepit** · 02-04-2018, 12:57 PM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lXLt3SADOZQ

Classic

**snakepit** · 02-04-2018, 01:01 PM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nrZv2WttVWc

And another

**kenneth** · 02-04-2018, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by mysterysinger

One of the most memorable lines in music history - you'll already know it - fast forward to 1:55 if you wish.......

Clearly one of Edwards' best performances, understated and with the right amount of tension in the delivery. I think this was the song where he once stated that Whitfield had him sing it in what I think he described as a "tight" style, unlike his usual way of singing. Does anyone recall?

And no one looked better in the Temptations show outfits!

Really nicely done video. Seems like it could have been a promotional video produced by Motown. Do you think it was assembled from "Soul Train" and other sources, or do you think it was produced as is, including the nice shots of the band during the intro? I don't remember "Soul Train" doing this kind of creative work but then again, they probably didn't broadcast a lot of tunes with such a long instrumental opening.

Opinions?

**marv2** · 02-04-2018, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by snakepit

About 1967..before joining Tempts.

That was such a good song.

**marv2** · 02-04-2018, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by kenneth

Clearly one of Edwards' best performances, understated and with the right amount of tension in the delivery. I think this was the song where he once stated that Whitfield had him sing it in what I think he described as a "tight" style, unlike his usual way of singing. Does anyone recall?

And no one looked better in the Temptations show outfits!

Really nicely done video. Seems like it could have been a promotional video produced by Motown. Do you think it was assembled from "Soul Train" and other sources, or do you think it was produced as is, including the nice shots of the band during the intro? I don't remember "Soul Train" doing this kind of creative work but then again, they probably didn't broadcast a lot of tunes with such a long instrumental opening.

Opinions?

I can tell from the very opening had nothing to do with Soul Train. The group's performance is from Soul Train in 1972. Someone must have edited it to include the special opening.

**kenneth** · 02-04-2018, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by marv2

I can tell from the very opening had nothing to do with Soul Train. The group's performance is from Soul Train in 1972. Someone must have edited it to include the special opening.

I thought that must be the case, thanks.

I love the performances on "Soul Train" and "American Bandstand" but I wish the groups had more often sung live. We'd have such a treasure trove of additional performances to enjoy.

Another question, Marv. Did groups ever sing live on "Soul Train?" I think they did occasionally on "Bandstand" but not often. But I think we've seen a few Supremes [[with Jean) clips from "Train" where they were singing live over a recorded track. Do you know?

**sansradio** · 02-04-2018, 04:25 PM

Hey, Kenneth, some acts did indeed perform live occasionally on Soul Train. Labelle’s “Lady Marmalade,” Elton’s “Bennie and The Jets,” Patti LaBelle’s solo “Oh, People,” and Aretha & Smokey’s ‘79 duet appearance are just a few that come to mind.

**robb_k** · 02-04-2018, 05:13 PM

Here's Dennis Edwards on lead in 1965, before joining Motown:

**robb_k** · 02-04-2018, 05:20 PM

Here's the flip [[labels were reversed):

**robb_k** · 02-04-2018, 05:25 PM

Solo from 1967 - maybe with The Contours in the background?

**robb_k** · 02-04-2018, 05:31 PM

Another solo effort, probably with The Contours in the background:

**robb_k** · 02-04-2018, 05:36 PM

Dennis leading The Contours:

**robb_k** · 02-04-2018, 05:39 PM

From 1966:

**robb_k** · 02-04-2018, 05:43 PM

From 1966:

**robb_k** · 02-04-2018, 05:58 PM

Dennis leading The Contours in 1967:

**marv2** · 02-04-2018, 05:59 PM

Those are some great selections. Thank you very much Robb!

**marv2** · 02-04-2018, 09:28 PM

**kenneth** · 02-05-2018, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by sansradio

Hey, Kenneth, some acts did indeed perform live occasionally on Soul Train. Labelle’s “Lady Marmalade,” Elton’s “Bennie and The Jets,” Patti LaBelle’s solo “Oh, People,” and Aretha & Smokey’s ‘79 duet appearance are just a few that come to mind.

Thanks sansradio. I thought that might be the case. I wish they had all performed live. There would be a vault somewhere like the one from the Ed Sullivan Show, which they just keep mining over and over. Some of the Sullivan performances were never commercially recorded, including some of the Broadway tunes which didn't happen to be from hit shows, and many are the only live performances that exist of some performances such as the Julie Andrews and Richard Burton selections from "Camelot."