Eddie Kendricks

Eddie Kendricks - Get Ready (1985)
Live Aid footage. Earlier, in 1985, Kendricks and David Ruffin participated in the Hall & Oates live album Live at The Apollo recorded at a benefit at New York City's Apollo Theater; and sang with the duo at Live Aid in Philadelphia and the MTV Video Music Awards in New York. Hall and Oates have cited Kendrick and Ruffin specifically, and the Temptations in general, as a major influence.

In 1989, Kendrick, Ruffin, and their old Temptations bandmates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. There, Kendrick and Ruffin made plans with fellow former Temptation Dennis Edwards to tour and record as "Ruffin/Kendrick/Edwards, Former Leads of The Temptations." The Ruffin/Kendrick/ Edwards project was cut short in 1991, when Kendrick was diagnosed with lung cancer and David Ruffin died of a drug overdose.

In late 1991, Kendrick, by now living in his native Birmingham, Alabama, underwent surgery to have one of his lungs removed in hopes of preventing the spread of the cancer. He continued to tour through the summer of 1992, when he fell ill again and was hospitalized. Kendrick died on October 5, 1992 of lung cancer in Birmingham at the age of 52. Kendrick is survived by his three children Parris Kendrick, Aika Kendrick, and Paul Kendrick. He was buried in Elmwood Cemetery. Kendricks was portrayed by Terron Brooks in the 1998 biographical television miniseries The Temptations. -Wikipedia

Dennis Edwards and The Temptations

Dennis Edwards & The Temptations - Treat Her Like A Lady (1984)
This was a nice Eighties come back hit for the the great Temptations. Dennis Edwards voice like on many previous hits came over strong. Dennis' rare solo single from the Sixties 'Johnny On The Spot' changes hands for mega money (£2.2k) on the Northern Soul scene.

At one point there was only about three known copies! His work with Motown's group The Contours is also well known and has his distinctive voice. I discovered this footage when Bill Randal was throwing out his VHS tapes.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama to Reverend and Mrs. Dennis Edwards Sr., he began singing as a toddler, just two years old, in his fathers' church. His family moved to Detroit when he was seven. As a high school student, Edwards sang with the Crowns of Joy gospel group, then in 1961 he organized his own soul/jazz group, Dennis Edwards and the Fireballs.

Dennis also in the Eighties recorded a nice 2-Stepper: 'Don't Look Any Futher' that was a massive hit in South Africa. Listen to the Ivy Joe Hunter or Dennis Edwards interviews (PCRL achieves.)

The Tempations

Temptations - It's Growing (18th March, 1965)
Taken from a UK Motown TV special with Martha & Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Dusty Springfield, Earl Van Dyke & The Supremes. Great camera angles used in this series, lots of side shots because the camera's mainly used wide angle lens' and a side shot would get more action in the frame!


This special was put together by Vicki Wickham & Dusty Springfield, and if it wasn't for Dusty's input it would never have happened. It was a complete eye-opener for UK audiences to the exciting sounds of Detroit.

The TV show was one of the UK's first rock/pop music TV programmes. RSG! was conceived by Elkan Allan, head of Rediffusion TV, who wanted to try a music radio show. Allan was assisted by record producer/talent manager Vicki Wickham, who became the producer. It was broadcast from August 1963 until December 1966.

It was produced by Associated-Rediffusion (later re-named Rediffusion) which had the ITV franchise for London. The show eventually went out live nationally. It was contemporary with the surge in British pop music of the 1960s. It last aired on December 23, 1966.

David Ruffin

David Ruffin - Since I Lost My Baby
This clip should be labeled Temptations really, but I think it particularly shines through for Ruffin Fans more. The record is playing quietly in the background and the guy's are reminiscing the song and it's footwork routine - priceless!

Also harmonies from Eddie Kendricks & Dennis Edwards. A TV magic moment not often capured. Thanks Bill & Dawn.

David Ruffin (born Davis Eli Ruffin) (January 18, 1941 – June 1, 1991) was an American soul singer most famous for his work as lead singer of The Temptations from 1964 to 1968 (or the group's "Classic Five" period as it was later known). His was the lead voice on such classic songs as "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg".

Known for his unique raspy and anguished tenor vocals, Ruffin was ranked as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine in November 2008. Along with fellow Temptations Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, Dennis Edwards, Melvin Franklin, and posthumously Paul Williams Ruffin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Fellow Motown recording artist Marvin Gaye once said admiringly of Ruffin that "I heard in [his voice] a strength my own voice lacked.

Drug problems ruined his life and when died Michael Jackson paid for the funeral costs.