Edward James Kendrick, best known by the stage name Eddie Kendricks, was an American singer and songwriter. Noted for his distinctive falsetto singing style, Kendricks co-founded the Motown singing group The Temptations, and was one of their lead singers from 1960 until 1971...
December 17, 1939, Union Springs, Alabama, United States
Died
October 5, 1992, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Place Of Birth
Union Springs
Height
6 ft 1 in (1.86 m)
Profession
Songwriter, Singer, Musician
Nationality
United States of America
Spouse
Patricia Kendrick (m. ?–1975)
Children
Paul Kendrick, Aika Kendrick, Parris Kendrick
Parents
Lee Bell Kendrick, Johnny Kendrick, My Girl, Ain't Too Proud to Beg, Papa Was a Rolling Stone
Nicknames
Eddie Kendrick , Edward James Kendrick , Kendricks, Eddie
Nominations
Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
Movies
Dancin' in the Street
Star Sign
Sagittarius
#
Trademark
1
Falsetto singing voice
#
Quote
1
I don't really know what a superstar is. I don't think you could ever become a superstar - they call you what they want to call you - but I don't think you could ever become a superstar because that means you have made it. You have achieved it all. I don't think I want to get that big. I don't want to blow myself out of proportion. That's too heavy a cross to bear.
Disliked the "psychdelic soul" music that The Temptations began singing in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This was one of the reasons why he eventually left the group.
Despite knowing that he would be arrested for back child support if he returned to Michigan, he attended David Ruffin's funeral in 1991 and was arrested right after the graveside service.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Lovelace
2013
performer: "Keep on Truckin'"
More Than a Game
2008
Documentary performer: "Lights Camera Action!"
Everybody Hates Chris
2007
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Barbershop
2002
performer: "Lights, Camera, Action!"
China Doll
1975
performer: "Boogie Down" - uncredited
Soul Train
1971
TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Temptations
1998
TV Series composer - 2 episodes
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Original Leads of the Temptations
1992
Video documentary
Himself
Grammy Legends
1990
TV Special
Himself (as The Temptations)
Ebony/Jet Showcase
1988
TV Series
Himself
Soul Train
1971-1988
TV Series documentary
Himself / Guest
Lou Rawls Presents Black Gold Hits
1988
TV Movie
Himself
Dancin' in the Street
1987
Video documentary
Himself
Deja View
1986
Video
Himself (as Eddie Kendrick)
Sun City: Artists United Against Apartheid
1986
Video documentary
Himself (as Eddie Kendrick)
Motown on Showtime: Temptations and Four Tops
1986
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Artists United Against Apartheid: Sun City
1985
Video short
Himself (uncredited)
MTV Video Music Awards 1985
1985
TV Special
Himself - Performer (as The Temptations)
Live Aid
1985
TV Special documentary
Himself
Diana Ross in Concert!
1979
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Audience Member (uncredited)
Soul Alive
1977
TV Series
Himself
New American Bandstand 1965
1973-1976
TV Series
Himself
Rock Concert
1975
TV Series
Himself
The Midnight Special
1974
TV Series
Himself
The Mike Douglas Show
1974
TV Series
Himself
In Concert
1974
TV Series
Himself
In Session
1974
TV Series
Himself
The David Frost Show
1971
TV Series
Himself
The Ed Sullivan Show
1967-1971
TV Series
Singer
The Andy Williams Show
1970
TV Series
Himself
The Leslie Uggams Show
1969
TV Series
Himself
TCB
1968
TV Movie
Himself (as The Temptations)
Laugh-In
1968
TV Series
Himself - Guest Performer
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
1967
TV Series
Himself
The Lloyd Thaxton Show
1966
TV Series
Himself
It's What's Happening, Baby!
1965
TV Special
Himself (as The Temptations)
Ready, Steady, Go!
1965
TV Series
Himself
Thank Your Lucky Stars
1965
TV Series
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Unsung
2013
TV Series documentary
Himself
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
2004
Video documentary
Himself
Ed Sullivan's Rock 'n' Roll Classics, Vol. 4: Elvis & Other Rock Greats