Facts and Tidbits
For twenty-five years, Eddie worked professionally under the name "Eddie Kendricks"-- but in 1985, he dropped the "s" from his last name. There are some theories as to why he did this -- mostly legal -- such as Motown possibly owning the rights to the stage name "Eddie Kendricks". But this has never been verified. However, the surname "Kendrick" IS indeed the family name, and Eddie billed himself as such until his death in 1992.
Eddie was responsible for the sharp, fashionable look that was just as much a part of the Temptations' legend as any of their songs or dance moves. He himself was a very chic dresser, not one to follow trends, but one to SET them. He would have his clothes custom made, and had a preference for silk fabrics.
Eddie loved soul food. His favorite dishes included chitlins, collard greens, butter beans and of course, cornbread. He also loved fried baloney sandwiches!
Even though Eddie could certainly cut a rug with his dance moves, he really was reluctant to do so. He only went along with it because it was such an important part of the Tempts' stage act. After leaving the group in 1971, dancing was not as essential to him, and preferred just to stroll the stage most of the time and sing to his audience.
Eddie has been described as being quiet and shy, but he really wasn't. He was just a very private person, a man of few words, who knew that you could learn more about people and things by just observing them, rather than talking to or about them. He was also very spiritual and sentimental, and very close to his family and his children.
For all his fame, Eddie remained grounded, humble and always made time to communicate with his fans. He had a way of making you feel comfortable in his presence. He had a sparkling sense of humor.
Eddie and Paul Williams first started out as gospel singers, singing in church choirs, but were wooed away from gospel by doo-wop and rock and roll. Their heaviest influence came from Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters, whose harmonies contained elements of pop and gospel music.
Eddie's sweet falsetto vocal was one of the most imitated ever in soul music. You can hear his influence in the work of such artists as Earth, Wind, and Fire (Phillip Bailey), The Stylistics (Russell Tompkins, Jr.), The Dramatics (Ron Banks), Blue Magic (Ted Mills), Black Ivory (Leroy Burgess), The Moments (Harry Ray), DeBarge (El DeBarge), disco singer Sylvester, and needless to say, the men that would succeed him in the Temptations, Damon Harris, Glenn Leonard and Ron Tyson. There are countless others who are endebted to Eddie's sweet tenor. His presence is also being felt in today's music as well, most notably in the vocal stylings of Maxwell, Bilal, Talib Kweli (who have both covered "Can I") and D'Angelo (who had done a cover of Eddie's "Girl You Need A Change of Mind"). Alicia Keys also used a sample of Eddie's "Intimate Friends" on her hit song "Unbreakable" in 2005, Jennifer Lopez did the same with "Keep On Truckin'" on her song "Do It Well" as did rapper Mr. Cheeks on his song "Lights, Camera, Action". In the same vein, rappers continue to show love for Eddie and his music. Kanye West produced a song on fellow rapper Nas called "Papa Was A Playa" using "The Newness Is Gone". Snoop Doggy Dogg himself is a fan of Eddie's work. Time and time again, acts of today reach back into Eddie's vast catalog to create new music and expose new fans to his work.
Otis Williams recalls that one time in the '60s, at the height of the Temptations' fame, he and Eddie were walking down a street together in a city where they were appearing for a show. Suddenly they were mobbed by dozens of women. The two of them were chased down the street and to escape the growing crowd of frantic females, they climbed over a fence. Otis made it over...but Eddie almost DIDN'T! As he was going over, an overenthusiastic fan grabbed him by the back of his pants and she wouldn't let go. Otis helped to pull him over, but in the process, the fan ripped Eddie's pants right off of him! He came in the dressing room half naked, and the other Tempts fell out with laughter!
Eddie co-wrote, produced and sang background vocals on a song for his best friend Paul Williams in the spring of 1973, called "Feel Like Givin' Up", but it was never released because of Paul's tragic death later that year.
In Birmingham's Civil Rights district, there is a park there named in Eddie's honor. Statues of the Temptations are featured, with Eddie out in front, singing his heart out, and the Tempts are doing some fancy hoofing in the background. The park was dedicated in October, 1999 at a festive ceremony where Eddie's family and Dennis Edwards were among the many guests looking on. For those of you who would like to visit the park while in Birmingham, the address is 1727 4th Avenue North (aka 4th Avenue North at 18th Street).
Being an entertainer and pleasing the public was important to Eddie. He once summed up his career this way: "Nobody gives this (talent) to you...nobody says, 'Come on, we're gonna make you a star.' You have to have SOMETHING. I'd like to think that I had it."
Eddie, rest assured...YOU HAD IT!
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