Eddie Kendricks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eddie Kendricks
Kendricks in 1972
Background information
Birth name	Edward James Kendrick
Born	(1939-12-17)December 17, 1939 Union Springs, Alabama, U.S.
Origin	Ensley, Alabama, U.S.
Died	October 5, 1992(1992-10-05) (aged 52) Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Genres	R&B soul disco psychedelic soul
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1955–1992
Labels	Motown Tamla Atlantic RCA
Associated acts	The Temptations the Supremes Paul Williams Smokey Robinson Marvin Gaye David Ruffin Dennis Edwards

Edward James Kendrick (born December 17, 1939 – died October 5, 1992), known as Eddie Kendricks, was an American singer and songwriter. He was famous for his special falsetto singing voice. Kendricks helped start the Motown group the Temptations. He was one of their main singers from 1960 to 1971.

He sang lead on many popular songs like "The Way You Do the Things You Do", "Get Ready", and "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)". Later, as a solo artist, Kendricks had his own hit songs in the 1970s. This included the number-one song "Keep On Truckin'".

Life and Career

Early Years: Becoming a Singer (1939–1960)

Eddie Kendricks was born in Union Springs, Alabama, on December 17, 1939. His family later moved to Ensley, a part of Birmingham. There, he met his good friend Paul Williams. They started singing together in their church choir in the late 1940s.

In 1955, Kendricks, Williams, and two friends formed a singing group called the Cavaliers. They performed around Birmingham. To find more music chances, the group moved to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1957. In Cleveland, they met a manager named Milton Jenkins. Soon, they moved with Jenkins to Detroit, Michigan. The Cavaliers then changed their name to the Primes.

The Primes became successful in Detroit. They even inspired a female group called the Primettes, who later became the Supremes. In 1961, the Primes broke up. Kendricks and Paul Williams then joined with other singers to form a new group. This group became known as the Temptations and signed with Motown.

Joining The Temptations (1960–1971)

The Temptations started by singing backup for other artists. After a slow start, they quickly became one of the most successful male singing groups of the 1960s. Eddie Kendricks often sang in a high, falsetto voice.

He was the lead singer on many Temptations hits. These included "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (1964) and "Get Ready" (1966). He also sang lead on "Just My Imagination" (1971). Kendricks also shared lead singing duties on other songs. This included "You're My Everything" (1967) with David Ruffin. He also sang on songs where all five Temptations shared the lead, like the Grammy-winning "Cloud Nine" (1968).

Kendricks helped create many of the group's vocal arrangements. He also managed their stage clothes, including their famous purple suits. He co-wrote some Temptations songs, like "The Girl's Alright With Me" (1964). His bandmates nicknamed him "Cornbread" because he loved eating it.

As the 1960s ended, Kendricks started to feel unhappy with the group. He didn't like the new "psychedelic" style of music they were making. He also had disagreements with bandmates Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin. His friend Paul Williams was often too sick to perform. These issues made him want to leave the group.

After a disagreement in November 1970, Kendricks decided to leave the Temptations. While working on his first solo album, he recorded one last hit with the Temptations. This was "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" in 1971. By the time this song reached number one, Kendricks had signed a solo deal with Motown's Tamla label.

Solo Career and Later Years (1971–1992)

Eddie Kendricks' solo career started slowly. For two years, his songs did not make it into the Top 40 charts. However, his 1972 album People... Hold On became popular with DJs in New York's new disco music scene.

In 1973, Kendricks had a huge hit with "Keep on Truckin'". This song reached number one on the US pop charts. It sold over one million copies and earned a gold record. This made him the only member of the Temptations to have a number one solo hit in the U.S. He had more hits, including "Boogie Down" (1974) and "Shoeshine Boy" (1975). Another important song was "Intimate Friends" (1977), which has been used in songs by artists like Alicia Keys and Erykah Badu.

Kendricks left Motown in 1978 because he wanted more control over his music and money. He then signed with Arista Records and later Atlantic Records. His popularity began to decrease, and his singing voice changed over time.

In 1982, Kendricks and David Ruffin rejoined the Temptations for a successful reunion tour. The group, now with seven members, also recorded a new album. They had a hit song called "Standing on the Top".

Later, Ruffin and Kendricks (who dropped the "s" from his stage name) started touring and recording as a duo. In 1985, they performed with Hall & Oates at the Apollo Theater and at Live Aid. Their live song medley of "The Way You Do the Things You Do" and "My Girl" became a hit. It earned them a Grammy nomination.

In 1989, Kendricks, Ruffin, and their Temptations bandmates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Death

In late 1991, Eddie Kendricks, who was living in Birmingham, Alabama, had surgery. He was diagnosed with lung cancer. He continued to tour until the summer of 1992, when he became ill again and was hospitalized.

Eddie Kendricks died of lung cancer on October 5, 1992, at the age of 52. He was buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham. Friends and fans honored Kendricks at concerts in Los Angeles. Many artists sang Temptations songs and their own music to remember him.

Legacy

Eddie Kendricks was nominated for four Grammy Awards. He won one for "Cloud Nine" with the Temptations in 1969. The Temptations later received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.

In 1998, NBC aired The Temptations, a TV show about the group. Actor Terron Brooks played Eddie Kendricks.

On October 16, 1999, the Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park was opened in Birmingham. The park has a bronze sculpture of Kendricks and other Temptations members. The names of their hit songs are carved into a granite wall. Music by Kendricks and the Temptations can be heard throughout the park.

In 1989, Kendricks was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Temptations. In 2019, he was also inducted as a solo artist into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Rapper Kendrick Lamar was named by his mother after Kendricks.

Solo Discography

Albums

as Eddie Kendricks

Tamla (Motown) releases

Arista releases

Atlantic release

• 1981: Love Keys (US R&B #62)

Ms. Dixie release

• 1983: I've Got My Eyes on You

as Daryl Hall & John Oates with David Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick

RCA release

• 1985: Live at the Apollo (US Pop #21; US R&B #41; UK #32)

as Ruffin and Kendrick

RCA release

• 1988: Ruffin & Kendrick (US R&B #60)

Singles

Tamla (Motown) releases

Arista releases

Atlantic release

Ms. Dixie release

• 1983: I'm In Love With You
• 1984: Surprise Attack (US R&B #87)

RCA release

• 1985: "A Night at the Apollo Live!" (US R&B #40, US Pop #20, US AC #12, UK #58) (Daryl Hall and John Oates featuring David Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick)
• 1987: "I Couldn't Believe It" (Ruffin & Kendrick) (US R&B #14, US AC #48, UK #85)
• 1988: "One More for the Lonely Hearts Club" (Ruffin & Kendrick) (US R&B #43)

See also

In Spanish: Eddie Kendricks para niños