Eddie Kendricks
b. 17 December 1939, Union Springs, Alabama, USA, d. 5 October 1992, Alabama, USA. Kendricks was a founder-member of the Primes in the late 50s, an R&B vocal group that moved to Detroit in 1960 and formed the basis of the Temptations. His wavering falsetto vocals were an essential part of the group's sound throughout their first decade on Motown Records. He was singled out as lead vocalist on their first major hit, "The Way You Do The Things You Do", and was also given a starring role on the 1966 US number 29 "Get Ready". David Ruffin gradually assumed the leadership of the group, but in 1971 Kendricks was showcased on "Just My Imagination", one of their most affecting love ballads. Kendricks chose this moment to announce that he was leaving the Temptations, weary of the production extravaganzas that Norman Whitfield was creating for the group. His initial solo albums failed to establish a distinctive style, and it was 1973 before he enjoyed his first hit, with an edited version of the disco classic "Keep On Truckin'". The accompanying album, Eddie Kendricks, was in more traditional style, while Boogie Down! had Kendricks displaying emotion over a succession of dance-oriented backing tracks.
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Albums
Top Tracks
- Keep On Truckin' - Pt.1
- Boogie Down
- Keep On Truckin' (Part 1)
- Shoeshine Boy
- Date With the Rain
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