RIP: Dennis Edward of The Tempations Dead At 74

American soul and R&B legend Dennis Edwards has passed away at the age of 74, just two days shy of turning 75.

Edwards is best known as lead singer of hall of fame group and Motown legends, The Temptations. He became lead singer in 1968 and remained with the Grammy winning band until 1977. Edwards was the group’s third lead singer replacing David Ruffin in 1968.

Edwards will be remembered for soulful vocal contributions on tracks such as “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” “I Can Get Next to You,” and “Ball of Confusion.”

Edwards was removed from The Temptations in 1977 after their departure from Motown Records, but he rejoined the group in 1980 for a brief stint before a successful attempt at a solo career.

In 1984 he released the hit single “Don’t Look Any Further,” a duet with Siedah Garrett. The album, also called Don’t Look Any Further, reached No. 2 on the R&B charts and included the radio singles “(You’re My) Aphrodisiac” and “Just Like You.” He followed the hit record with 1985s Coolin Out and 1993s Talk to Me.

On January 18, 1989, Edwards and the Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Edwards was formerly married to Ruth Pointer of the Pointer Sisters and they had one daughter named Issa Pointer. He was in Chicago at the time of his death and was said to have been battling meningitis.