By 1975, the group became tired of the social conscious "message" songs, and wanted to return to the love songs they enjoyed. They left Motown for Atlantic and Jeffrey Bowen took over production, and as a result, A Song For You, would turn out to be one of the groups most satisfying albums, as well as proving the versatility of Edwards. Dennis, always having really wanted a solo career, left the group and cut a solo album for Motown. The album never materealized and after a short and humbling stint as a construction worker, Dennis rejoined the group, who had returned to Motown, for the triumphant release of Power, a Berry Gordy produced album.
During all this, Dennis finally did release his first solo album, Don't Look Any Farther, in 1979. It was a great album, The title song with Siedah Garret being one of the great duets of the decade, but Dennis began having problems with drugs and the second album, Coolin' Out, was released in 1980, but proved to be far inferior to the first. The title track was a moving and autobiographical piece on which Dennis sings about trying to put his life back together. In late 1980, Dennis again would return to Motown for the appropriatley titled, Together Again. But in 1981, embattled by personal crisis, he left the group.
In 1980, Edwards, after talking with friends and former groupmates David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks and they set off on a historical U.S tour. Then in 1982 came the Temptations reunion tour, after the tour, Dennis continued singing again with the Temptations. But in 1989 after the Temptations induction ceromony to the Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame, he would leave the group for GOOD and set out on another tour with Ruffin and Kendricks. A couple years later, the unexpected deaths of his good friends Ruffin&Kendricks, left Dennis alone. Since then he has formed various groups attempting to use varying forms of the name "Temptations". He has battles in and out of court, for use of some form to the name.
No matter what the result, Dennis Edwards is a true "Soul Survivor", and one of the most gifted singers of our time. He still has his sensuous and soulful voice, and no one can take that away. By the merciful grace of god, he is the only one of the classic Temptations lead singers still alive (Along with Otis Williams) to continue the legacy.
