Post by tempfan on Jul 18, 2003 2:09:59 GMT -5
It's not just your imagination
Temptations Review set for Friday
By Myra Eder
Star Newspapers
In 1966, or maybe '67, I went to one of the most phenomenal concerts of my life.
The up-and-coming young group, The Temptations, had the Detroit area nightclub audience mesmerized. They were dazzling, with their jazzy outfits, brilliant harmony, awesome tunes and, of course, the oh-so-famous Temptation Walk.
In an interview last week with Dennis Edwards, not quite an original Temptation, but close (he replaced David Ruffin in 1968), I was told local audiences can expect a reprise of that great night in the Motor City, so many years ago.
The Temptations Review Featuring Dennis Edwards — just back from an engagement for President George W. Bush at the White House — will headline the Starry Nights concert in Homewood Friday night July 11.
"We do all the classics, 'Just My Imagination,' 'Get Ready,' 'Ain't Too Proud to Beg' and all the Temptations' hits," Edwards said.
What about "My Girl"?
"Absolutely, of course," he said. And 'Cloud Nine," the first Grammy for the Temptations and for Edwards, as well.
"We do the Temptation Walk with every show and people can do it from 8 to 80 (sorry, I forgot to ask if President Bush did it).
"Our show is really put together in the vein of the original group, and you're going to love it," he said.
The lineup includes Mike Patillo, Chris Arnold, Bernard Gibson, David Sea and Edwards. Each man closely reproduces the vocals of one of the original Temptations, he said.
The reason the group is called the Temptations Review Featuring Dennis Edwards had to do with what Edwards called a "lengthy court battle" with the only surviving original member, Otis Williams.
"It was costing us both a fortune, so rather than give the lawyers all the money, we came together with an agreement," he said.
Edwards, who was born in Birmingham, Ala., grew up in Detroit and attended Cass Technical High School, where all the real brainy kids went. He reminisced about his early years.
"My father was a minister, and we were always singing in church. But I couldn't sing rock 'n' roll. I had to go in the basement," he said.
In the 1960s, Edwards first formed a group called the Firebirds. He then became a member of the Contours, a quintet that wound up opening for the Temptations in 1966 or '67.
"I had no idea that a year later I would become part of the Temptations," Edwards said.
In fact, Motown legend Berry Gordy heard Edwards sing and kept him on retainer until Ruffin left the group in '68. Edwards was put in to replace Ruffin.
Ultimately, just about all the men left the group, as did Edwards, who has been back steadily singing since the 1980s.
"We all left for good reason, money issues," he said.
"We didn't get what it looked like we were getting. I tell every young singer 'take care of your business because the minute you get creative, someone is in your pocket.'"
Members of the Temptations Review featuring Edwards have their own manager now.
At 60, Edwards still enjoys touring but tries to spend part of each weekend at home in St. Louis so he can lead a more "normal life."
"I'm blessed to still be alive and blessed to have a lot of energy. Younger groups try to be like us.
"We played the White House for Tricia Nixon's wedding and last week, we played the White House for President Bush and Congress. We also played for the queen (of England)."
None of those events, while awesome, were the highlight of his career.
In 1989, Edwards heard that original Temptations Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick had been elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
"I looked in the mailbox and there was a letter for me. Six Temptations (the original five and Edwards) were inducted."
That, and having Temptations Park in his birthtown of Birmingham are the highlights, so far, of an extraordinary career.
Asked if he has plans to retire, Edwards said, "I plan to go until I can't go anymore. In 1989 I took a year off, and that was the hardest year of my life. I found out if you do this for so long, you miss singing.
"So I'm going to sing till they put dirt on my face."
Meanwhile, Edwards said he loves Chicago. "We're coming and can't wait to put on a great show. Chicago has always been a great city for us.
"But," he added from his home telephone, "I gotta go and get to this honey-do list."
Temptations Review set for Friday
By Myra Eder
Star Newspapers
In 1966, or maybe '67, I went to one of the most phenomenal concerts of my life.
The up-and-coming young group, The Temptations, had the Detroit area nightclub audience mesmerized. They were dazzling, with their jazzy outfits, brilliant harmony, awesome tunes and, of course, the oh-so-famous Temptation Walk.
In an interview last week with Dennis Edwards, not quite an original Temptation, but close (he replaced David Ruffin in 1968), I was told local audiences can expect a reprise of that great night in the Motor City, so many years ago.
The Temptations Review Featuring Dennis Edwards — just back from an engagement for President George W. Bush at the White House — will headline the Starry Nights concert in Homewood Friday night July 11.
"We do all the classics, 'Just My Imagination,' 'Get Ready,' 'Ain't Too Proud to Beg' and all the Temptations' hits," Edwards said.
What about "My Girl"?
"Absolutely, of course," he said. And 'Cloud Nine," the first Grammy for the Temptations and for Edwards, as well.
"We do the Temptation Walk with every show and people can do it from 8 to 80 (sorry, I forgot to ask if President Bush did it).
"Our show is really put together in the vein of the original group, and you're going to love it," he said.
The lineup includes Mike Patillo, Chris Arnold, Bernard Gibson, David Sea and Edwards. Each man closely reproduces the vocals of one of the original Temptations, he said.
The reason the group is called the Temptations Review Featuring Dennis Edwards had to do with what Edwards called a "lengthy court battle" with the only surviving original member, Otis Williams.
"It was costing us both a fortune, so rather than give the lawyers all the money, we came together with an agreement," he said.
Edwards, who was born in Birmingham, Ala., grew up in Detroit and attended Cass Technical High School, where all the real brainy kids went. He reminisced about his early years.
"My father was a minister, and we were always singing in church. But I couldn't sing rock 'n' roll. I had to go in the basement," he said.
In the 1960s, Edwards first formed a group called the Firebirds. He then became a member of the Contours, a quintet that wound up opening for the Temptations in 1966 or '67.
"I had no idea that a year later I would become part of the Temptations," Edwards said.
In fact, Motown legend Berry Gordy heard Edwards sing and kept him on retainer until Ruffin left the group in '68. Edwards was put in to replace Ruffin.
Ultimately, just about all the men left the group, as did Edwards, who has been back steadily singing since the 1980s.
"We all left for good reason, money issues," he said.
"We didn't get what it looked like we were getting. I tell every young singer 'take care of your business because the minute you get creative, someone is in your pocket.'"
Members of the Temptations Review featuring Edwards have their own manager now.
At 60, Edwards still enjoys touring but tries to spend part of each weekend at home in St. Louis so he can lead a more "normal life."
"I'm blessed to still be alive and blessed to have a lot of energy. Younger groups try to be like us.
"We played the White House for Tricia Nixon's wedding and last week, we played the White House for President Bush and Congress. We also played for the queen (of England)."
None of those events, while awesome, were the highlight of his career.
In 1989, Edwards heard that original Temptations Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick had been elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
"I looked in the mailbox and there was a letter for me. Six Temptations (the original five and Edwards) were inducted."
That, and having Temptations Park in his birthtown of Birmingham are the highlights, so far, of an extraordinary career.
Asked if he has plans to retire, Edwards said, "I plan to go until I can't go anymore. In 1989 I took a year off, and that was the hardest year of my life. I found out if you do this for so long, you miss singing.
"So I'm going to sing till they put dirt on my face."
Meanwhile, Edwards said he loves Chicago. "We're coming and can't wait to put on a great show. Chicago has always been a great city for us.
"But," he added from his home telephone, "I gotta go and get to this honey-do list."
