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
As an original member of Motown’s legendary R&B group, the Miracles, Bobby Rogers sang on some of popular music’s most lasting songs. Born on the same day and in the very same hospital as Smokey Robinson, Rogers wouldn’t meet his future band mate until 15 years later. In 1959, the Miracles became the first group signed to Berry Gordy’s Motown/Tamla Records, and within a year, they had the label’s first million seller with “Shop Around.” The group went on to release countless hit singles with Rogers singing on “You Really Got A Hold Of Me,” “The Tracks Of My Tears,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “I Second That Emotion,” and many many more. He was also reportedly responsible for the group’s onstage choreography. Rogers remained in the Miracles until 1978, but participated in reunions in 1980 and 1993. He ultimately retired from the group in 2011. As a Motown songwriter, Rogers wrote or co-wrote such hits as “The Way You Do The Things You Do” (the Temptations), “What Love Has Joined Together” (
Damon Harris was a 3-time Grammy Award winning member of the legendary Motown group, the Temptations. At just 20 years old, Harris was the youngest member of the outfit when he took 
Maurice D. Davis was a respected trumpet player who, over the course of his long career, graced over 1500 recordings. After graduating from Tennessee State University and teaching for two years at Rust College, Davis found himself in Detroit, Michigan. The year was 1965, and Davis soon found himself playing in the legendary Motown session band, the Funk Brothers. During his term that lasted until 1980, Davis played on recordings by or toured with the likes of the Supremes, the Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, and the Temptations on whose “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” he particularly shined. Beyond Motown, Davis played with Tony Bennett, 