Died On This Date (November 17, 2014) Jimmy Ruffin / Motown Great
themusicsover Jimmy Ruffin
May 7, 1936 – November 17, 2014
Jimmy Ruffin was an American soul singer who, through much of the late ’60s, ’70s, and early ’80s, released several hit records. Born in Mississippi to a family that would later would include brother and future Temptation, David Ruffin, Ruffin began singing at a very young age. His first group of note was Gospel music’s, the Dixie Nightingales. By the early ’60s, Ruffin was singing background sessions for Motown subsidiary, Miracle Records. After serving in the US Army, Ruffin launched his solo career in 1964. What followed was a succession of hits that included his signature song, “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted,” which reached #7 on the Billboard charts. The ’70s were less kind to Ruffin, but he still scored some lesser hits while discovering a new audience in the UK. In the ’80s, he relocated to England where he did well along the Northern Soul circuit. He also collaborated with Paul Weller, Heaven 17, Maxine Nightingale, and Brenda Holloway, to name a few. Ruffin eventually moved back to the US, settling in Las Vegas, Nevada. He continued to record and release albums as recently as 2010’s I Am My Brother’s Keeper. Jimmy Ruffin was 78 when he passed away on November 17, 2014.
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