Edward Patten

Edward Patten
Background information
Birth name Edward Roy Patten
Born (1939-08-27)August 27, 1939
Atlanta, Georgia
Died February 25, 2005(2005-02-25) (aged 65)
Livonia, Michigan
Genres R&B, Pop music, Soul music
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, producer
Associated acts Gladys Knight & the Pips

Edward Roy "Eddie" Patten (August 27, 1939 – February 25, 2005) was an Atlanta, Georgia-born R&B/soul singer, best known as a member of Gladys Knight & the Pips. He was lead singer Gladys Knight's cousin.[1] Along with the group, he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.[2]

Edward was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Thomas S. Patten and Wilhemina (nee Maxwell). His father was a local musician, singer and a child prodigy on the piano. Edward grew up singing in the church and with local "doo wop" groups in Atlanta. While still a teenager, he married his first wife Katherine (nee Smith) in Atlanta at the home of her parents. He had two children from this marriage Stephanie A. and Steven A. Patten. It was in Atlanta that he was invited by William Guest to join the Pips after two members left the group to get married. Edward later traveled first to New York after the success of the single "Every Beat of My Heart" and later he and the group now Gladys Knight and the Pips, moved to Detroit, Michigan to join Motown Records. By this time the strain of the entertainment world had taken its toll on his marriage and he and Katherine divorced and he married Renee (nee Brown). He and Renee had three children - Edward II, Elliott and Renee Patten.

Even though Gladys Knight & the Pips officially disbanded in 1989, Patten remained very close to his band mates and his lifelong friends throughout the rest of his life.

Patten had diabetes, hypertension, and was later incapacitated by a stroke.[3] He died of a stroke at St. Mary's Mercy Hospital in Livonia, Michigan, where he resided. He was 65 years old. He is interred at Detroit's historic Woodlawn Cemetery at Eight Mile Road and Woodward Avenue.[1][4] He is survived by his wife Renee, six children - Stephanie, Steven, Sonya, Edward II, Elliott and Renee Patten and nine grandchildren.

References

  1. 1 2 "Edward Patten, 66; Sang With the Pips". The New York Times. February 26, 2005. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Gladys Knight and the Pips Biography". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Discography and Biography of Gladys Knight And The Pips With Videos, Song Lyrics, and Free MP3 Download Links". search.soulyears.com. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  4. ↑ "Edward Patten of Gladys Knight & the Pips Dies". Jet. March 14, 2005. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
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