Published On: 12.17.17 | 

By: 9316

On this day in Alabama history: Eddie Kendricks born in Union Springs

Dec 17 feature

The Temptations playing in July 1991 at the Summertime Jazz, Blues & World Music Festival in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. (Zoran Veselinovic, Flickr)

December 17, 1939

Singer Eddie Kendricks, the first lead tenor for the Temptations, was born in Union Springs. Formed in Detroit, under Motown Records, the group’s original lineup featured three Alabama natives – Kendricks, Paul Williams and Melvin Franklin – and became one of the most successful musical acts in history. Throughout their career, the group released 14 Billboard R&B No. 1 singles, such as classics “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)” and “My Girl,” and won three Grammy Awards. Kendricks also released two No. 1 R&B singles as a solo artist – “Boogie Down” and “Keep on Truckin’.” Kendricks and the Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

Read more at Encyclopedia of Alabama.

For more on Alabama’s Bicentennial, visit Alabama 200.