Eddie Kendricks
December 17, 1939 – October 5, 1992
Eddie Kendricks was a co-founder of the Motown hit-making vocal group, the Temptations. It is his falsetto voice that can be heard on such classic songs as “Just My Imagination,” “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” and “Get Ready.” He also scored a #1 single as a solo artist with 1970’s “Keep On Truckin.'” Kendricks’ run with the Temptations was from 1960 until he went solo in 1971. The ’70s were hit and miss as far as his career went. After “Keep On Truckin,” he had a few minor hits. The ’80s found him reuniting with the Temptations a couple of times and finding a new audience thanks to some help from Hall & Oates who invited him to sing with them on a live album and a couple of television events including Live Aid. In 1991, the same year that fellow Temptation, David Ruffin died of a drug over dose, Kendricks was diagnosed with lung cancer. He died of the cancer on October 5, 1992 at the age of 52. Paul Williams and Melvin Franklin, also of the Temptations, passed away in 1973 and 1995 respectively.
What You Should Own
Thanks for remembering Eddie. I only wish that the radio would play more of his solo catalog. His Temtptations Swan Song “Just My Imagination” is surely deserving of all of the air play it receives — but Eddie’s solo work should not be ignored — especially the ballads.