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Dennis Edwards died on 1 February. He was the lead singer of the Temptations after David Ruffin left the group for a solo career. He joined the group in 1968. The group took on a funkier tone with songs like "Ball of Confusion" and "Can't Get Next to You."

Their most remembered hit of this era was "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." Here is a 11:50 version of the song. A shorter version hit #1 in 1972.

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(02-04-2018 02:22 AM)puckerman Wrote:  Dennis Edwards died on 1 February. He was the lead singer of the Temptations after David Ruffin left the group for a solo career. He joined the group in 1968. The group took on a funkier tone with songs like "Ball of Confusion" and "Can't Get Next to You."

Their most remembered hit of this era was "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." Here is a 11:50 version of the song. A shorter version hit #1 in 1972.

Glad to see this post. Edwards was an incredible singer, with an authoritative voice. I don't think he gets the same critical acclaim as Ruffin because he was never a "tortured artist." By all accounts he was reliable, professional, and didn't create trouble -- and people like that don't make for dramatic articles or TV movies.

But he was the one who led the Temptations out of the '60s and into the newer mode of '70s soul and funk. "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" was seriously innovative for its time -- and he sold the song's story, which might have sounded overwrought in the hands of others. With him it genuinely sounded life or death. Other singles Edwards was great on include "Runaway Child, Running Wild," "Don't Let The Joneses Get You Down," and "Psychedelic Shack."

But his talents went beyond the political tunes. When the occasion called for it, he could out-Ruffin David Ruffin on a pleading love song like "I Gotta Find a Way (To Get You Back)" from the Cloud Nine LP.

A great talent. R.I.P.

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To me this mashup is better then the original (rarely the case)




RIP

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Now that I am older and have listened to it a few more times, I have a greater appreciation for the brilliance of "Papa was a Rolling Stone." I picture a bunch of grown men all gathered around mama asking them for the truth about papa. The men have heard all these stories and don't want to believe them. Mama knows that the stories are true. But like a lot of mamas, she doesn't want to say anything negative about papa. She just gives a vague answer. She still wants the boys to believe that papa was a good guy.

The transitions between the singers are smooth. The background music is perfect. The instrumental intro is great. Most importantly, you just forget that the song is almost twelve minutes long.

David Ruffin left the group, and they didn't miss a beat. It wasn't their last hit song, but it was the last one that most people remember. It's an excellent swan song for a great group.