Paradise:David
David Ruffin
Davis Eli Ruffin was born in Whynot, Mississippi on January 18, 1941. He was a sickly child, inflicted with both rheumatic fever and asthma. His mother died shortly after his birth, and he was raised by his father, a fiery Baptist minister. Despite the seemingly prestigious job of minister, David and his two brothers Jimmy (of "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" fame) and Quincy grew up poor. Ruffin began his singing career in gospel, touring with the quintessential gospel group, the Dixie Nightingales. While touring in Tennessee (and rubbing shoulders with the future King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley)
Ruffin began to attract secular crowds with his pulverizing grittiness in singing gospel tunes. While touring with the Nightingales, David settled in
Detroit, where his brother Jimmy was already living and signed with Anna Records, operated by Anna Gordy. For a brief spell, Ruffin sang with the Voice Masters. Then in 1964, Ruffin had a date with destiny in joining the Temptations, the group he led to fame on the heels of such tunes as 'My Girl' and 'Ain't Too
Proud To Beg'. With a height of 6'3" and 153 lbs, he fit the seeming criteria of a Temptation: tall, lean, long-legged, and of course, he was one
of the great voices of soul music. As lead for the Temptations, Ruffin was known for his omnidynamic second tenor voice, sometimes sweet, sometimes raspy, but great
in any context. He was also known for his horn-rimmed glasses and his showy stage routines, where he would split, ball his fist in emotion, and make
animated expressions.
In 1968, sadly enough, the end of the most gloried era
of the Temptations came to a close when Ruffin was expelled from the group. In 1969, Ruffin opened his solo career with a flourish, with there lease of
'My Whole World Ended (the Moment You Left Me). However, despite much promise, his career sputtered, mainly due to poor promotions on the part of
Motown. Despite that, Ruffin churned out quality music, with gems like 'Common Man', 'Just Let Me Hold You For A Night' and 'The Double Cross'. In
the 80s and 90s, the paths of Ruffin and former Temptations Eddie Kendricks and Dennis Edwards crossed, as they became touring partners and performed as 'The Former Leads of The Temptations'.
Ruffin loved riding horses, dressing up, swimming, and of course, singing.
He died June 1, 1991 in Philadelphia of respiratory failure, although it was ruled a cocaine overdose.
Despite his death at the young age of 50, David Ruffin's legacy lives on in his five children and his many fans -- Ruffinatics. He was and always will
be the Epitome of Soul.
David's Fan Club
The David Ruffin Message Board
The David Ruffin Website
Just David!
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