I have just been informed that
Jimmy Ruffin, older brother of David Ruffin of the Temptations, died on
November 17, 2014 in Las Vegas, NV at the age of 78.
Jimmy began his singing career
(along with his famous brother) in a gospel group called the Dixie
Nightingales. He began working for Motown in 1961 as a session singer. He was
offered the opportunity to join the Temptations in 1964, but after hearing
David sing, Motown hired David as the Temptations lead singer instead. Jimmy
began his solo career at that point.
In 1966, Jimmy recorded a song
originally written for the Spinners entitled “What Becomes of the
Brokenhearted” (which is also the title of the 2009 memoir of E. Lynn Harris).
“Brokenhearted” reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the R&B
Chart.
Another legend has left us, and as
always, is gone too soon.
Jimmy Ruffin [1936 – 2014]
© 11/19/2014
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