The Night Eddie Kendricks’ Wife Discovered the Dark Side of Diana Ross

Eddie Kendricks, the legendary tenor of The Temptations, was home with his wife Patricia and their daughter, enjoying a quiet evening when a sudden, loud crash shattered the night. A brick had been hurled through their front window. But this wasn’t just any act of vandalism—the person responsible was none other than Diana Ross.

A Love Affair Turned Sour

Before their rise to stardom, Eddie Kendricks and Diana Ross had crossed paths in Detroit. Their relationship, though brief and secret, was fueled by ambition and passion. Even as Eddie remained committed to his marriage, Diana was drawn to him, seeing him as the “man of every woman’s dreams,” as Florence Ballard once recalled.

However, when Eddie ultimately chose his wife over her, Diana did not take the rejection well. Her persistence soon turned into obsession, and that fateful night proved just how far she was willing to go.

A Shocking Act of Rage

Diana Ross arrived unannounced at Eddie’s home, demanding to see him. When he refused to come outside, her frustration reached a boiling point. In a fit of rage, she picked up a brick and hurled it through the window, sending shards of glass flying across the room where Eddie’s wife and daughter sat in terror.

Patricia Kendricks rushed to shield their child, trying to make sense of the chaos. The police were called, but as Motown’s biggest star, Diana Ross was untouchable. Under the protection of Barry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, she faced no real consequences. The incident was swiftly covered up, and Eddie and his family were left to deal with the aftermath alone.

Barry Gordy’s Role in the Feud

Barry Gordy had long been protective of Diana Ross, ensuring her success at all costs. He viewed Eddie as a problem—an artist who refused to conform to Motown’s strict control. Unlike others who played by Gordy’s rules, Eddie was defiant, unwilling to be molded into a puppet.

His refusal to compromise led to ongoing tensions with Gordy, who made it clear that Eddie would never receive the same level of support as others in the Motown family. This professional animosity only fueled personal grievances, making Kendricks an outsider in the very company he helped make successful.

A Man Who Refused to Be Controlled

Eddie Kendricks was known for his independent spirit. Raised in Alabama during the era of segregation, he learned early on to stand his ground. He wasn’t one to blindly follow authority, whether it came from racial segregation laws or the music industry’s biggest power players.

This rebellious nature was evident from his youth. He and his friends would defy Jim Crow laws by drinking from “whites only” fountains, throwing rocks at police cars, and refusing to accept the oppression imposed upon them. This same determination carried into his music career, where he resisted Motown’s efforts to control his artistry and personal life.

The Lasting Impact

Despite the hostility between Eddie Kendricks and Barry Gordy, Kendricks went on to have a successful solo career. However, he remained vocal about the difficulties he faced in an industry dominated by Motown’s strict policies. His clashes with Gordy and the fallout with Diana Ross only solidified his reputation as an artist who refused to be manipulated.

Diana Ross, on the other hand, continued to rise, her image carefully curated by Motown’s influence. The brick through Eddie’s window became just another incident swept under the rug, a dark secret buried beneath her glamorous persona.

For Eddie and his family, however, that night served as a stark reminder of just how dangerous power and obsession could be, even in the world of music.