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Tommy EdwardsAmerican singer in the style of jazz, pop and rhythm and blues
Date of Birth: 17.02.1922
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Content:
Tommy Edwards: Biography of an American Jazz, Pop, and Rhythm and Blues Singer
Tommy Edwards, an American singer, pianist, and songwriter, was born on February 17, 1922, in Richmond, Virginia. From a young age, Edwards began performing at various clubs in Richmond. In 1931, he embarked on his professional career with radio performances, showcasing his talent in jazz, pop, and rhythm and blues.
Early Career and Success
In 1946, Tommy Edwards wrote a hit song for Louis Jordan titled "That Chick's Too Young To Fry." Three years later, he moved to New York and signed a contract with MGM Records in 1950. His demo recordings "All Over Again" and "The Morning Side of the Mountain" achieved success, with "All Over Again" reaching the tenth position on the American R&B chart and "The Morning Side of the Mountain" securing the twenty-seventh spot.
It's All in the Game
In 1952, Tommy Edwards arranged an old song called "Please Mr. Sun," which became the eighteenth on the rhythm and blues charts and the eleventh on the pop charts. However, Edwards gained widespread recognition with his rendition of "It's All in the Game," performed on the Ed Sullivan Show on September 14, 1958. Originally composed in 1912 as "Melody in A Major" by Charles Gates Dawes, the future Vice President of the United States, Carl Sigman added lyrics in 1951, and Edwards recorded it. Nine years later, with a new arrangement in a rock and roll style, Tommy Edwards reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song also topped the British charts and the R&B chart, eventually selling over three and a half million copies worldwide.
Continued Career and Legacy
Following the success of "It's All in the Game," Tommy Edwards released the hit song "Love is All We Need," which reached the fifteenth position on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart. This was followed by successful releases such as "Please Love Me Forever" and "New in the Ways of Love." In 1959, Edwards recorded the single "My Melancholy Baby," followed by "I Really Don't Want to Know," "Don't Fence Me In," and "It's Not the End of Everything" the following year. Although these songs were of high quality and memorable, they didn't achieve the same level of success as "It's All in the Game."
Towards the later years of his career, Tommy Edwards experimented with adding Hawaiian melodies and string ensembles to his sound. He also contributed his songs to other artists, such as Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, and Donny and Marie Osmond.
Tragically, Tommy Edwards passed away on October 22, 1969, in Henrico County, Virginia, due to a brain aneurysm caused by alcoholism. In July 2008, the mayor of Richmond declared October 15th as "Tommy Edwards Day" in honor of his contributions to music.