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Former Temptations lead singer dies at 74

February 2, 2018

Dennis Edwards, one of the former lead singers of the Motown group The Temptations, has died in Chicago — shortly before his birthday. Edwards sang some of the group's biggest hits, including "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone."

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Former Temptations lead singer Dennis Edwards
Image: imago/ZUMA Press/S. Mitchell

Soul singer Dennis Edwards died at a hospital in Chicago on Thursday night due to complications from meningitis, his wife Brenda Edwards told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper on Friday.

Edward's 75th birthday would have been on Saturday.

Read more: How Detroit gave its middle class a song

The Temptations
Edwards (fourth from left) was part of the band from 1968 until 1977, and returned in 1980Image: picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images/L. McLendon

Born in Alabama, Edwards joined the group in 1968 and sang some of the group's most well-known songs, including "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," "Cloud Nine," "I Can't Get Next to You," and "Ball of Confusion."

"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" won the group two Grammy awards in 1973.

He left the group in 1977, but returned in 1980. He started his solo career in 1984 and landed a hit with his single, "Don't Look Any Further," which peaked at No. 72 on the pop charts and No. 2 on the R&B charts.

Edwards was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 as a member of the Temptations.

The Temptations were famous for their Motown sound, but also became known for their later mix of funk, soul and disco.

rs/cmk (dpa, Reuters)