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.
What You Should Own
Walter Gaines was the founder of, and baritone singer in the Motown vocal group, the Originals. Formed in 1966, the outfit released several albums and hit singles including, “Baby I’m For Real,” “God Bless Whoever Sent You,” and “The Bells,” which sold over 1 million copies. The group can also be heard handling back-up duties on early records by the likes of 
Paul Williams was a founding member of the great ’60s R&B act, the Temptations. Forming the group in 1960 with 
As one-time lead singer of the Temptations, David Ruffin is arguable the greatest lead voice to come out of Motown. From 1965’s “My Girl,” to “All I Need” and “I Wish It Was Rain,” Ruffin’s voice defined the group and perhaps the era. But mounting friction caused mostly by Ruffin’s swelling ego along with his addiction to cocaine began to tear the group apart, so he was replaced in 1968. Ongoing legal problems with Motown along with his growing dependency on drugs kept his post-Temptations career from reaching the level his true talent deserved. But in 1989, things appeared to be turning around when the Temptations were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and Ruffin subsequently made peace with the other members of the group. He began working with 
