Dennis Edwards, former lead singer of the iconic Motown group the Temptations, has passed away.
As reported by CBS, the Detroit native died in Chicago at the age of 74, due to complications from meningitis. He would have turned 75 on Saturday.
Edwards replaced the famed group’s lead singer David Ruffin in 1968 and was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
Additionally throughout his storied career, he led the group on two Grammy Award-winning tracks, “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” and “Cloud Nine.” Edwards was once fired from the Temptations in 1977, right before the group decided to part ways with Motown Records.
Edwards later reassumed his rightful place behind the mic in 1980 when the group left Atlantic Records to return to their initial Motown roots. Edwards went on to leave in 1984 to begin a solo career, with his debut album, Don’t Look Any Further, hitting the No. 2 slot on the R&B charts. Edwards returned to the group one last time in 1987, but left again two years later.
In 2013, Edwards received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy alongside the Temptations.
“It really saddens me to know that another Motown soldier is gone,” Smokey Robinson shared with Rolling Stone. “Rest In Peace my brother. You were a great talent.”