In memory of Edward Lamont Hadley, Sunrise July 3rd, 1967 Sun Set August 21, 2020.
Edward Lamont Hadley affectionately known as “Lamont” was born July 3, 1967 to Maple Hadley Davis and Curtis Brooks in Saint Louis, Missouri. He attended Dunbar Elementary School and a 1985 graduate of Vashon High School. He accepted Christ at an early age. His father Curtis Brooks, brother Calvin Hadley, sister Avril Brooks, grandmother Zettie B. Wimbley, and aunts Barbara Hudson, Renada McNeal and Terri Allen preceded him in death.
Hadley showed early signs of a musical gift. He was known to grab objects around the house and pretend they were microphones as he belted songs by the Temptations, O’Jays, and Four Tops. Lamont was one of the melodic voices of the musical groups L.L.C. and Master’s Touch groups that set the standard for vocal harmonies in the local music scene. In 1978, he joined a group called the “Fire 5” and performed first publicly at a talent contest at Dunbar Elementary School with the group going on to win first place.
Hadley, an attendee of Vashon High School, performed with the “Fire 5” at the high school’s “Request of Pleasure” talent show where they brought down the house. He also joined the group “Rare Form” which afforded him the opportunity to travel and appear on the same bill as acts such as Kenny Rogers and Sheryl Crow and performed at the Fox Theater and Grand Ole Opry. In 1989, Lamont joined the male vocal group “Master’s Touch”. A group known locally for their vocal abilities and sell out shows. The group’s slick choreography and dapper costumes never disappointed and Hadley could be seen on any given night pouring out his soul on the microphone.
Hadley and the brothers of Master’s Touch opened for legends in R&B such as the O’Jays, Temptations, The Dells, Gerald Levert, The Dramatics, Peabo Bryson, Boyz II Men, The Delfonics, T.L.C. and many others experiencing many highs in the 90’s. In 1999, Lamont went on to perform in Spain with the Platters another highlight of his career. In 2001, after returning to St. Louis, formed a new group entitled L.L.C. that specialized in vocal harmonies. They completed their first CD titled “Guaranteed for Love Making”. The group opened for such stellar acts as Ron Isley & The Isley Brothers, Gerald Levert, Boyz II Men, Will Downing, Midnight Starr, and Tyrone Davis.
Hadley went on to form his own group “Lamont and The Hadley Band” where he dazzled the crowd singing soulful classics. The band headlined at The National Blues Museum for a soul stirring evening. Hadley released music frequently throughout his career including an album entitled “It’s Been A Long Time Coming”.The group “Master’s Touch” reunited once again for a concert at The Ambassador. A packed house grooved to the group’s harmonies proving that their voices and slick choreography was still sharp after their extended break.
Lamont was called home Friday, August 21, 2020 at 3:37pm with his family by his side. He is walking around heaven singing with the angels. He leaves to cherish his memory: three children, son’s Arlando Bolden, Edward Lamont Hadley, Jr. and daughter Lakisha Hadley, mother Maple Davis (Michael), sister Cynthia Hadley, brother Curtis Brooks, Jr. fiancé’ Bridgette West, bonus son’s Brandon Outlaw, Breyon West and Brian West.