Ricky Owens

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Ricky Owens (born Richard Edgar Owens in St. Louis, Missouri) (April 24, 1939 - December 6, 1996) was an American R&B and soul singer better known as the first tenor and lead singer of the doo-wop/R&B group The Vibrations and, briefly, as member of The Temptations, the first replacement of original Temptations founding member Eddie Kendricks.

After more than a decade with the Vibrations, Owens was enlisted to join the Temptations after Eddie Kendricks had a fall out with Temptations founders Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin. He joined the group in January of 1971 but with his increadible F tenor voice and his break dancing moves( he is God Father Of Brake Dancing ) his tall 6'2" trim appearance, attracted so much attention , that his presence in the group was reconsider. He was then cut from the group and replaced by Damon Harris who became the group's official replacement of Kendricks. Rick had said " I think they (Temptations)thought I would use the group to launch my own solo career .." in a conversation in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada to his friend and companion Cynthia Cece Gladue. James Johnson also of the Vibrations always said "They kicked him out because he couldn't dance" and everyone would laugh because there was no dought he was one of the best dancers ever.

The reason has been misrepresented in many mediums including a comment of him singing out of key... Richard E Owens could not sing out of key if he tryed...

Before Johhny Mathis , Isley Bros , Earth Wind and Fire Marice White,and.......... there was Richard Edger Owens and the Vibrations singing the earlist recordings of R&B Ballads unlike no other and emulated by many . He continued to tour into the 80's.

Owens died in Los Angeles, California on December 6, 1996 at the age of 57.