Tommy Edwards

Thomas J. "Tommy" Edwards (February 17, 1922 – October 22, 1969)^[2] was a singer and songwriter. His biggest-selling record was with the multi-million-selling song "It's All in the Game."^[1]

Career

Born in Richmond, Virginia, Edwards was an R&B singer most remembered for his 1958 hit "It's All in the Game", which appeared in the list of Billboard number-one singles of 1958. He sang his hit song on The Ed Sullivan Show, on September 14, 1958. The song was composed by then-future U.S. Vice-President Charles G. Dawes in 1911 as "Melody in A Major" with lyrics written in 1951 by Carl Sigman. Edwards originally recorded and charted the song in 1951, but it only climbed to #18. The better-known 1958 version was on the same record label (MGM) and was backed by the same orchestra leader (Leroy Holmes), but with a different arrangement more suited to the rock and roll-influenced style of the time. As well as topping the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, the song also got to number one on the R&B chart and the UK Singles Chart.^[3] The single sold over 3.5 million copies globally, earning gold disc status.^[3] The gold disc was presented in November 1958.^[4] He had a more modest hit with the follow-up, "Love Is All We Need," which climbed to #15 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

"That Chick's Too Young to Fry", written by Edwards, was a sizable hit for Louis Jordan.^[5] Edwards began recording for the Top label in 1949.^[2] When MGM heard his demo of it, they gave him a recording contract.^[3]

Although Edwards recorded a number of other songs, none came close to achieving the same level of success, though several of his songs later became hits for other artists (such as "A Fool Such As I" by Elvis Presley, "It's All in the Game" by Cliff Richard and the Four Tops (Eddie Holman's version of it was the B-side of his hit "Hey There Lonely Girl"), "Please Love Me Forever" by Cathy Jean and the Roommates (1961) and by Bobby Vinton (1967), and "Morning Side of the Mountain" recorded by Donny and Marie Osmond).

He died after suffering a brain aneurysm in Henrico County, Virginia, at the age of 47.^[3] The liner notes of his 1994 Eric Records release The Complete Hits of Tommy Edwards claim his death was caused by alcoholism. While the two may be related, there is no confirmation of this.

Edwards received a Virginia Highway Marker in 2008, erected near Pemberton Elementary School, off Quioccasin Road, in Henrico County. In July 2008, Richmond mayor L. Douglas Wilder signed a proclamation declaring October 15, 2008 "Tommy Edwards Day."

In September 2012, Cherry Red Records label Shout issued a 2-CD collection of Edwards's work, entitled It's All in the Game (The MGM Recordings 1958–1960), which comprised his first four MGM albums and singles from the two years following that single's huge success.

Partial discography

Singles

Albums

• Tommy Edwards Sings -- Regent MG 6096 (Mono only) -- 1958
• It's All In The Game -- MGM E (Mono)/SE (Stereo) 3732 -- 1958
• For Young Lovers -- MGM E/SE 3670 -- 1959
• You Started Me Dreaming -- MGM E/SE 3805 -- 1959
• Tommy Edwards -- Lion L 70120 (Mono only) -- 1959
• Tommy Edwards in Hawaii -- MGM E/SE 3838 -- 1960
• Stardust -- MGM E/SE 4020 -- 1960
• Step Out Singing -- MEM E/SE 3822 -- 1960
• Tommy Edwards' Greatest Hits -- MGM E/SE 3884 -- 1961
• Tommy Edwards Sings Golden Country Hits -- MGM E/SE 3959 -- 1961
• Soft Strings and Two Guitars -- MGM E/SE 4060 -- 1962
• The Very Best Of Tommy Edwards -- MGM E/SE 4141 -- 1963
• Tommy Edwards -- Metro M (Mono)/MS (Stereo) 511 -- 1965

Production notes

The recording "Honestly and Truly" is only heard on compact disc in mono, because the original stereo master tape was either lost or destroyed.

The recording "Take These Chains From My Heart" is heard on compact disc in re-channeled stereo because, as with the above song, the original stereo master was lost or destroyed.

These recordings were issued on the MGM record label unless otherwise noted.

"It's All in the Game" (1958 version) was produced by Harry Myerson. He is assumed to be the producer for all tracks from this point forward, although this cannot be confirmed.

The orchestra was conducted and the arrangements were made on all records by LeRoy Holmes.

See also

• List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
• List of artists who reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart
• List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
• List of artists who reached number one on the Australian singles chart
• List of deaths in rock and roll
• List of number-one rhythm and blues hits (United States)

References

External links

• Biography at Encyclopedia Virginia
• Oldies.com biography of Tommy Edwards
• Fansite with discography and song lyrics