[6] Ruffin's mother died from complications of childbirth ten months after his birth in 1941; and his father later married Earline, a schoolteacher, in 1942. helped make the '80s feel magical. [59], On October 26, 2019, the city of Meridian ceremonially named a section of 8th Street near the Temple Theatre "David Ruffin Boulevard. After some of his singing idols such as Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson had left gospel music and gone secular, Ruffin also turned in that direction. TheDetroit residentattended Mumford High School in Detroit, and her career included modeling andbartending. Obsessed with compensating for his lost boyhood, Jackson dubbed his adulthood home the Neverland Ranch and allegedly underwent plastic surgeries to resemble Peter Pan. By 1967 Terrell broke up with Ruffin after he beat her badly and also is rumored to have hit her with his motorcycle helmet. Ruffin is buried at Palm Memorial Park Northwest Cemetery, Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada in the Garden of Eternal Life Section. A Motor City native, Gordy previously worked in a car plant and applied an "assembly line" mentality to creating quality music. David Ruffin was born on January 18, 1941 and died on June 1, He eventually reunited with former Temptations colleague Eddie Kendricks (who was now also a solo artist) in 1986, and they began touring and performing with 'Artists Against Apartheid', Live-Aid, and Hall & Oates. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Formerly known as the Elgins, they would change their name, lineup, and lead singer over the years. In 1998, NBC aired The Temptations, a four-hour television miniseries about the group's career, Ruffin was portrayed by Leon Robinson (who is usually credited as simply "Leon" as his professional name). The joy and sadness in his songs can be felt by all. [31][33] In 2003, Sapia-Ruffin published A Memoir: David Ruffin--My Temptation, which details Ruffin's infidelity and abusive behavior. Nedra seen here, gained her wings in May of 2021. He also sang with The Soul Stirrers briefly after the departure of Johnnie Taylor. In 1966, he heard a song about unrequited love written for The Spinners, and persuaded the writers that he should record it himself. [31] She named their son David E. Sapia, but Ruffin later changed his name to David Eli Ruffin, Jr. "[3], Daryl Hall said, "His voice had a certain glorious anguish that spoke to people on many emotional levels". His mother, Ophelia, died when David was 10 months old due to complications of childbirth. Leaving home at 13 to pursue the ministry, it was David's select showmanship that caught the eyes of some in the secular music industry. [16] After the Supremes had their name changed to Diana Ross & the Supremes in early 1967, Ruffin felt that he should become the focal point of the Temptations, just as Diana Ross was for her group, and began demanding that the group name be changed to David Ruffin & the Temptations. That year, longtime Temptations fans Hall & Oates teamed up with Ruffin and Kendrick to perform at the re-opening of the Apollo Theater in New York. After joining the Temptations, the bespectacled Ruffin initially sang backgrounds while the role of lead singer mostly alternated between Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams. The singers also dated, and while performing for Brown's label Terrell released the single "I Cried," whose title sums up her relationship with the Godfather of Soul. Ruffin is survived by her mother, Sandra Ruffin; a son, Clifford Pearson, and daughters, Terea Frazier and DeAiress Frazier; six grandchildren; sisters Cheryl Ruffin-Robinson (Lamont) and. Grand Puba of Brand Nubian referenced the singer on the 1990 single "All for One", stating: "I hit a beat and swing a note as if my name was David Ruffin.". Also a heavy smoker, Wells developed laryngeal cancer, which destroyed her voice. Despite yearning to be around people Jackson grew to fear crowds when he wasn't onstage. Nedra tells of her drug use, how she started, what made her start, her rock bottom and how long shes been in recovery. Charges of assault and battery and receiving stolen property worth more than $100 were dropped. Ruffin's first recording session with the group was January 9, 1964. Terrell would eventually find out that Ruffin had a wife, several children and girlfriends all over. [6] Ruffin was portrayed by Lamman Rucker in the 1998 mini-series The Temptations. Ruffin was married three times and had four children: Cheryl, Nedra, David Jr. and Mone. She was confused, fatigued and having trouble breathing, and was admitted to the hospital the day after Mothers Day. Of course, his father was the Temptations' lead singer from 1964 to 1968.http://www.tmz.com/2014/11/11/david-ruffin-junior-arrested-domestic-violence-temptations/http://www.wochit.com But even as the Beatles took the U.S. by storm, the Supremes dominated charts. Ruffin is portrayed in the Broadway musical, Ain't Too Proud, by Ephraim Sykes. Starting in 1964 they had five consecutive #1 hits, proving the Supremes could be every bit as fabulous as the Fab Four. Perhaps none played out more painfully than the downfall of Paul Williams. He was Still under contract at Motown, though, and his solo career got off to a promising start with the ballad "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me"). Ruffin's most notable non-vocal contribution to the Temptations was the masterminding of their trademark four-headed microphone stand. [6] Ruffin did sign to Anna Records as a solo artist, but his work in that time was unsuccessful.[11]. I couldn't do it myself, so I made him do it.". he been using to many drugs of cocaine and it's sad that he died like this. Gaye (originally spelled "Gay") was the son of Marvin Gay Sr., a preacher with a taste for drinking, cross-dressing, and violence. He thought he had one more child and she is now 28 her name is The Funk Brothers didn't earn "enough money to survive without doing graveyard gigs" at clubs. In 1964 he joined The Temptations, who had yet to chart a hit, at Motown Records. !Phone: 313-459-1801Email: askthemessengers@gmail.comWebsite: www.askthemessengers.com Ancestry [ edit] David Ruffin's parents were both natives of Mississippi. [7][8] As a young child, Ruffin, along with his other siblings (older brothers Quincy and Jimmy, and sister Reada Mae) In 1980, Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees produced his album Sunrise and the hit single "Hold On To My Love", which reached #10 in the US and #7 in the UK, on the RSO label. He then moved to Detroit, Michigan, and was signed to Anna Records in 1960 and then Check-Mate Records in 1961. Drink milk. Poverty, violence, and devastating illnesses beset some of Motown's brightest stars. death or 74 years old today. Lamont Robinson, founder and CEO of the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame and brother-in-law to Ruffin, said Nedra Ruffin was instrumental in getting the renaming of Parkside Street in Detroit to David Ruffin Avenuein June 2019. [48], After completing a successful month-long tour of England with Kendricks and Edwards, David Ruffin died on June 1, 1991, from an accidental overdose of crack cocaine. David Eli Ruffin (born Davis Eli Ruffin;[1] January 18, 1941 June 1, 1991) was an American soul singer and musician most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of the Temptations (196468) during the group's "Classic Five" period as it was later known. While his reputation was harmed by his destructive behavior, when the younger of the Ruffin brothers (his brother was Motown star Jimmy) opened his mouth to sing, his brilliance was unmistakable.. The singer died at age 49. She also diddirect care work with hospice patients and taughtballroom dancing and hustle classes. [29][38] Brown then drove Ruffin to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was declared dead at 3:55a.m. that morning from "an adverse reaction to drugs (cocaine)" after emergency room personnel spent almost an hour attempting to revive him. By this point, Ruffin was also trying to get his brother Jimmy, ex-Temptation Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, and then-Tempts lead singer Dennis Edwards to join him in a group called the Fellas. His voice proved to be powerful, as he went on to sing lead on Temptations hits that brought joy and happiness in the turbulent times of the 1960s. While his reputation was harmed by his destructive behavior, when the younger of the Ruffin brothers (his brother was Motown star Jimmy) opened his mouth to sing, his brilliance was unmistakable.. In a final insult, Jamerson's Fender Precision Bass was stolen shortly before Jamerson died of pneumonia at age 42. That pain, according to the Guardian, drove Paul to drink alcohol. She married Gordon to get away from home at age 33, but she found herself living with a new abuser. If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Legends are never forgotten and David Ruffin IS a musical LEGEND. He had some solo success but never fully succeeded at kicking his drug habit, which hindered his career. Perhaps you could call La Toya Motown-adjacent, near the "real" stars but never truly accepted as one. 2023 www.freep.com. In addition, he had recorded the first version of The Temptations hit "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep". With soaring fame came more pain. During the celebrations, Jackson State University's "Sonic Boom of the South" marching band led a parade. How did you use the result to determine who walked fastest and slowest? In 1983 the unglued singer moved back home with his parents. Williams and Romanowski (1988), pp. She claimed Joe pointed guns at his kids to get their attention and savagely beat and molested her. [17] Motown counter-sued to keep the singer from leaving the label and eventually the case was settled. "My Girl" subsequently became the Temptations' signature song, and elevated Ruffin to the role of lead singer and frontman. [6], At 15, Ruffin went to Hot Springs, Arkansas, with the jazz musician Phineas Newborn, Sr. ", Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981)[24]. Ruffin also shared lead vocals on the 1967 hit single "You're My Everything" with Eddie Kendricks. A slew of celebrities and supporters, including Bruce Springsteen and Phil Collins, helped her financially but nobody could save her. His siblings were Quincy B. Ruffin, Reada Mae Ruffin, and Jimmy Lee Ruffin. That outsider status, created and perpetuated by her indirect ties to Motown, helped shape her life as the black sheep in a dysfunctional famous family. Parker then had his . In 1964, America welcomed a British invasion. In reality, she died of a brain tumor. [37], At the time of his death, Ruffin had been living in Philadelphia since 1989 with his girlfriend Diane Showers, who met him as a 14-year-old fan. This was followed by the 1969 album Feelin' Good. Weeks after the tour ended, David was dropped off at a Philadelphia hospital and an hour later the man who sang the biographical tune "Statue Of a Fool" from every bit of his heart and soul was pronounced dead. She loved to dance, said her daughter Terea Frazier. At age 17 Wells married Motown background singer Herman Griffin. The "Tempts"' hitless status changed in March of 1965 with the classic "My Girl", on which David sang lead. The couple got a divorce, and Parker remarried to Geraldine in 1942. In 1979 he left the label and went to Warner Brothers, where his career unfortunately went into a complete decline.He later rejoined The Temptations for a reunion tour, but after that he fell obscurity, and his personal life also took a downward spiral when it came to light that he was suffering from substance abuse and depression. The son of late Motown legend David Ruffin was arrested early Tuesday morning and booked for felony domestic violence. Music didn't just become KEM's livelihood; it helped save his life. [19] According to Edwards, the adulation and Ruffin's pleas convinced the other four Temptations to give Ruffin a second chance, but when he arrived late to what was to be his return show with the group in Gaithersburg, Maryland, the Temptations decided to keep Edwards and drop considerations of rehiring Ruffin. [56] His contemporary, label-mate, and long-time acquaintance Marvin Gaye was particularly impressed with the virility of Ruffin's voice. Things "got so bad that his stamina, his respiratory system started fading on him." "[60][61] Ruffin was born in nearby rural Whynot, but claimed Meridian as home. [7] In 1955, at the age of 14, he left home under the guardianship of a minister, Eddie Bush, and went to Memphis, Tennessee, with the purpose of pursuing the ministry. A quintet that crossed genres and lasted across musical eras, they changed with the times while simultaneously creating timeless songs. Ruffin's father was known as Eli, rather than Elias, and he was a sharecropper and . DETROIT The Sad ending of David Ruffin and his Daughter Nedra Ruffin 425,202 views Premiered Dec 3, 2020 4.6K Dislike NAT MORRIS 9.34K subscribers #davidruffin #nedraruffin #davidruffin. Eddie Bush and his wife, Dorothy Helen, took the then-16-year-old Ruffin to Detroit, Michigan, where his brother Jimmy was pursuing a career in music while simultaneously working at the Ford Motor Company. [4] He also teamed up with brother David to record the album I Am My Brother's Keeper, a modestly successful 1970 album for Motown that included the songs "When The Love Hand Comes Down", "Your Love Was Worth Waiting For" and a cover of Ben E. King's "Stand by Me". These were insults to an injury-filled life. According to her sister, Ballard was also battered by a violent husband. [3] Ruffin himself said, "I don't know what kind of voice I have, I really don'tit's just about the feeling I get for the song". [49] Ruffin had reportedly collapsed at a West Philadelphia crack house, where he had gone with his friend Donald Brown, according to authorities. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 50 years old group. After leaving the Temptations in the mid 80s, Glenn Leonard joined the ministry full time and has counseled dozens of victims of domestic abuse. Together they performed some of the most riveting love songs of all time, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "You're All I Need to Get By." Gordon physically attacked La Toya and then blamed her for his scumbaggery. But even people who do detestable things can be tragic figures. Before 1962 Motown had never had a top 10 song. 622K views 4 years ago THE TRUTH about the death of David Ruffin as told by his daughter Nedra Ruffin who favors him tremendously. [29] "When David had a lot of money, he would be able to do things that he wanted to do," she said. [17], Ruffin's first solo single was a song originally intended for the Temptations, "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)". Ruffin's second album, Ruff 'n' Ready, was released in 1969. But his road to success was long and torturous. In Ruffin's case, he wasted his immense talent and ultimately destroyed himself. The same showmanship that brought David into the R&B industry caught the attention of fans around the world. In 2019, rapper Lil Durk referenced David Ruffin on a song of the same name, off his mixtape Love Songs 4 the Streets 2. The song states I know a killer who got inside that jam we call him David Ruffin, and they didnt even use his statement so he sang for nothin. The track references Ruffins singing abilities metaphorically, as singing is slang in many urban neighborhoods for snitching, or telling on someone to law enforcement in order to get a lighter sentence. Withered by addiction and emotional problems, he had numerous stays at hospitals and mental institutions toward the end of his life. The follow-ups to "My Girl" were also extremely successful singles, and included the Ruffin-led hits "It's Growing" (1965), "Since I Lost My Baby" (1965), "My Baby" (1965), "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" (1966), "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" (1966), "(I Know) I'm Losing You" (1966), "All I Need" (1967), "(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need" (1967), "I Wish It Would Rain" (1967), and "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)" (1968). When Ballard was 15 her father died, and at 17 she was raped by an acquaintance she had trusted to drive her home. David Ruffin Jr. was busted by LAPD. According to DeBarge matriarch Etterlene, Robert battered her and the kids. Unfortunately, Paul didn't stay healthy. In 1957, Ruffin met Berry Gordy Jr., then a songwriter with ambitions of running his own label. It was attended by Ruffin's family and friends including Martha Reeves and Mary Wilson. His children are Arlet, Philicia, Jimmie Ray (deceased), Jimmy Jr., Ophelia, and Camilla. Ruffin is buried at Palm Memorial Park Northwest Cemetery, Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada in the Garden of Eternal Life Section. Continue Learning about General Arts & Entertainment. Real Times Media. He had one of the most recognizable voices in music. According to Otis Williams, Ruffin (playfully nicknamed "Ruff" by the group) was a natural comedian and a hard-working singer when he first joined the group. Im going to miss her loving, giving ways. His wife is Sandra Ruffin (2 March 1978 - 18 July 1984) ( divorced), Joy Hamilton (April 1976 - ?) A third album, titled David, was recorded in 197071, but was shelved by Motown and did not see commercial release until 2004.[22]. Few of the songs charted and he blamed Motown for not properly promoting his music. But while she and Gaye always hit the right notes together, the partners in her private life horribly wronged her. Subscribe 30K views 8 years ago The son of late Motown legend David Ruffin was arrested early Tuesday morning and booked for felony domestic violence. [4] As children, the brothers began singing with a gospel group, the Dixie Nightingales.[5]. Who makes the plaid blue coat Jesse stone wears in Sea Change? Ruffin lived in the area of Las Vegas, Nevada. It also initially reached #8 in the UK Singles Chart, rising to #4 when it was reissued in the UK in 1974. David Ruffin Jr.. When we think of David Ruffin, we think of The Temps and soul R&B, which is why we were pretty surprised that his . But to put it bluntly, his greatness as a performer was eclipsed by his horribleness as a person. A homegoingcelebrationstarts at 12:30 p.m. Friday at Oasis of Hope Christian Church, 933 W.Seven Mile,Detroit. Their performance was released as a successful live album and single. [13] When Robinson achieved his goal, the song, "My Girl", was recorded in November 1964 and released a month later. [1], "Searching for Light - Biographical article", "Jimmy Ruffin, Motown Hitmaker, Dead at 78", "Jimmy Ruffin, Motown singer, dies aged 78", "Motown Legend Jimmy Ruffin In Intensive Care In Vegas Hospital", Jimmy Ruffin Page on the "Soul Walking UK" website, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jimmy_Ruffin&oldid=1136419289, This page was last edited on 30 January 2023, at 06:07. [15] This led to a number of disagreements between Ruffin and the group's de facto leader, Otis Williams. I sat there looking at the kids with tears running down my face and I would say, 'I am trapped.'" [9], Rod Stewart said: "'I Wish It Would Rain' jumped out of the speakers and ravished my soul". "Tammi left him because she didn't want her butt whipped." But the frontman most associated with the Temptations' heyday was David Ruffin. "Jimmy Ruffin was a rare type of man who left his mark on the music industry," they said in a statement . [57] Ruffin is also inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame. [36], On May 19, 1986, he pleaded no contest to a charge of receiving and concealing stolen property worth less than $100 (a Colt .32-caliber handgun) and was fined $50 plus $100 in court costs. Ruffin also had another sister Rosine, who died in infancy. He was the lead voice on such famous songs as "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg. Otis told Deseret News that Paul sometimes drank "two to three fifths of Courvoisier a day." He performed in Memphis talent showcases before deciding to join the Temptations and signing with Motown Records. Glenn was recently inducted into the R&B Hall of Fame. Her dad David Ruffin, as a lead singer of the Motown Records group The Temptations, helped propel the group to superstardom with such hits as My Girl, Ain't Too Proud To Beg and many others. It was also Ruffin's only entry into the UK Charts (as a solo artist), and was a hit there as well, making it into the Top Ten (peaking at #10) in early 1976. She was active in assistingNarcotics Anonymous and was proud of being clean from drugs for 28 years, according to Frazier. [35] Ruffin became increasingly violent towards Terrell as his drug abuse worsened. A street in Meridian, Mississippi, was also renamed David Ruffin Boulevard in October2019. They had a tumultuous relationship. And though no one knew it at the time, in 1969 a future Motown star was born literally. Jimmy Lee Ruffin[3] (May 7, 1936 November 17, 2014) was an American soul singer, and the older brother of David Ruffin the lead singer of the Temptations. [39] Although the cause of death was ruled an accident, Ruffin's family and friends suspected foul play, claiming that a money belt containing $40,000 was missing from his body. Son of a Legend | by Gail Nobles_The InkPost | Text Radio World | Medium Write Sign up Sign In 500 Apologies, but something went wrong on our end. As a result, Ruffin's estate filed suit against NBC and other major players involved in the making of the series, claiming defamation. Eight of them signed with Motown, six would join the DeBarge singing group at different points, and all of them had hellish childhoods courtesy of their father, Robert. Using to many drugs of cocaine and it & # x27 ; s sad that he died like.. The South '' marching band led a parade age 50 years old group as performer... Drive her home acquaintance Marvin Gaye was particularly impressed with the Temptations, who died in infancy Taylor! Their performance was released as a successful live album and single abuse worsened to complications of childbirth change name! 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