David Ruffin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Ruffin
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Ruffin in 1970
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Davis Eli Ruffin |
| Also known as | Little David Bush |
| Born | January 18, 1941 Whynot, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | June 1, 1991 (aged 50) West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
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| Years active | 1956–1991 |
| Labels | |
David Ruffin (born Davis Eli Ruffin; January 18, 1941 – June 1, 1991) was an American soul singer. He was most famous for being one of the main singers of the Temptations from 1964 to 1968. This time was later known as the group's "Classic Five" period. Ruffin sang lead on many famous songs like "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg."
People knew David Ruffin for his powerful and unique voice. Rolling Stone magazine named him one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. He was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 because of his work with the Temptations. Another famous singer, Marvin Gaye, once said that Ruffin's voice had a strength that his own voice did not have.
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Early life
David Ruffin was born Davis Eli Ruffin on January 18, 1941. He grew up in a small community called Whynot, Mississippi. His father, Elias "Eli" Ruffin, was a Baptist minister. His mother, Ophelia Ruffin, passed away when he was very young. David had three siblings: Quincy, Rita Mae, and Jimmy Lee Ruffin.
Childhood and singing
When David was a child, he and his siblings sang together as a family gospel group. They even opened shows for famous singers like Mahalia Jackson. David loved to sing in church choirs and at talent shows.
In 1955, when he was 14, David left home with a minister named Eddie Bush. He went to Memphis, Tennessee, hoping to become a minister. At age 15, he traveled to Hot Springs, Arkansas, with jazz musician Phineas Newborn, Sr. David continued to sing at talent shows and even joined a group called The Dixie Nightingales. He also sang briefly with The Soul Stirrers.
Later, some of his favorite singers, like Sam Cooke, started singing pop music instead of gospel. David decided to do the same. Eddie Bush and his wife took David, who was 16, to Detroit, Michigan. His brother, Jimmy, was already there working and trying to start a music career.
Career
Starting in music
After moving to Detroit, David Ruffin recorded his first songs in 1958. He used the name "Little David Bush." He later said that his early music was different from what he became known for. It was more like the smooth pop and R&B music of that time.
In 1957, Ruffin met Berry Gordy Jr., who later started Motown Records. Ruffin even helped build the famous "Hitsville USA" building, which became Motown's headquarters. David also worked with Marvin Gaye at Anna Records, a label run by Berry Gordy's sister.
Gwen Gordy Fuqua, Berry's sister, said that David was a true gentleman. She was very impressed because he always practiced like he was performing on a big stage.
Ruffin also sang and played drums in a doo-wop group called the Voice Masters. He recorded a song with them in 1961. This group included Lamont Dozier, who later became a famous Motown producer. David Ruffin also signed with Anna Records as a solo artist, but his songs were not very successful at first.
Joining the Temptations
David Ruffin soon met a local group called the Temptations. His older brother, Jimmy, went on a music tour with them. Jimmy told David that the Temptations needed a new singer. David was interested and talked to Otis Williams, one of the group members.
In January 1964, David Ruffin officially joined the Temptations. He had his first recording session with them on January 9, 1964. Both David and his brother Jimmy tried out for the group. But the Temptations chose David after he sang with them at a New Year's Eve party.
With the Temptations (1964–1968)
When David first joined the Temptations, he mostly sang background parts. The main singers were usually Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams. But Smokey Robinson, who wrote many of the Temptations' songs, saw something special in Ruffin's voice. He thought David had a unique voice that was both "mellow" and "gruff."
Robinson decided to write the "perfect song" for Ruffin's voice. This song was "My Girl." It was recorded in November 1964 and became the group's first number-one hit in 1965. "My Girl" became the Temptations' most famous song, and it made David Ruffin the main lead singer.
After "My Girl," the Temptations had many more successful songs with Ruffin singing lead. These included "It's Growing" (1965), "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" (1966), and "I Wish It Would Rain" (1967). David Ruffin was tall and his performances were full of energy, which fans loved.
David Ruffin also helped the Temptations create their famous four-headed microphone stand. This allowed all the members to sing and dance without crowding around one microphone.
However, by 1967, David Ruffin started having problems with the group. He began missing practices and shows. He also wanted the group's name to be changed to "David Ruffin & the Temptations," like Diana Ross and the Supremes. This caused many disagreements between Ruffin and Otis Williams, who was the group's leader.
In June 1968, the Temptations decided to let Ruffin go. He had missed a show to attend a performance by his girlfriend. Dennis Edwards replaced him. Even though Ruffin encouraged Edwards to take his place, he sometimes showed up at Temptations concerts. He would walk on stage and sing his old songs, which surprised the group but excited the fans. The group considered taking him back, but he was late for a planned return show, so they decided to keep Dennis Edwards.
Ruffin later tried to leave Motown Records, but they settled the case. He had to stay with Motown to finish his contract as a solo artist.
Solo career
David Ruffin's first solo song was "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)" in 1969. It became a top ten hit on the US Pop and R&B charts. He released another album called Feelin' Good in 1969.
In 1970, David recorded an album with his brother Jimmy, called I Am My Brother's Keeper. They had a few smaller hits from it.
Ruffin's last top ten hit was "Walk Away from Love" in 1975. This song was also a hit in the UK. It sold over one million copies and earned a gold record.
Other well-known songs from his solo career include "I'm So Glad I Fell For You" (1970) and "Common Man" (1973). He also sang cover versions of songs like the Jackson Five's "I Want You Back."
After leaving Motown in 1977, Ruffin recorded for other labels like Warner Bros. Records and RCA Records. He teamed up with his former Temptations bandmate, Eddie Kendricks, who had also left the group.
Working with others
In 1982, David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks rejoined the Temptations for a special album called Reunion. They also went on a tour. The album included a hit song called "Standing on the Top" with Rick James. However, the reunion tour ended quickly because Ruffin missed shows due to health problems. Otis Williams let Ruffin go from the group for the last time in 1982.
Ruffin and Kendricks then started touring as a duo in 1985. That same year, the famous group Hall & Oates performed with Ruffin and Kendrick at the re-opening of the Apollo Theater. They also sang together at the huge Live Aid concert in 1985. A live song they performed, a mix of "The Way You Do the Things You Do" and "My Girl," became a hit and earned Ruffin his only Grammy nomination.
After being added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Temptations in 1989, Ruffin, Kendrick, and Dennis Edwards toured as "Ruffin/Kendrick/Edwards: Former Leads of The Temptations." They had a successful tour in England in 1991.
Death
After finishing a successful tour in England with Kendricks and Edwards, David Ruffin passed away on June 1, 1991.
His funeral was held in Detroit. The remaining members of the Temptations sang "My Girl." Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin also sang at the service. Michael Jackson offered to pay for the funeral costs. Many other famous musicians sent flowers.
David Ruffin is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit.
Legacy
Many other artists admired David Ruffin. Martha Reeves (from Martha and the Vandellas) said, "Nobody could sing like David Ruffin." Marvin Gaye was very impressed by the strength of Ruffin's voice. Gaye said Ruffin's singing made him remember that women often want to feel the power of a "real man" when they listen to music.
Daryl Hall said that Ruffin's voice had a "glorious anguish" that touched people deeply. David Ruffin himself said he didn't know what kind of voice he had, but it was "just about the feeling I get for the song."
Rod Stewart said that Ruffin's song "'I Wish It Would Rain' jumped out of the speakers and touched my soul." Stewart later became friends with Ruffin and described his voice as "so powerful—like a foghorn on the Queen Mary."
The cover art of Ruffin's last album, Gentleman Ruffin, inspired the cover for rapper Wiz Khalifa's mixtape Kush & Orange Juice.
In 2013, David Ruffin was added to the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame twice: as a solo artist and as a member of the Temptations. He is also in the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame.
In June 2019, the city of Detroit named a street "David Ruffin Avenue" where he used to live. In October 2019, the city of Meridian also named a section of 8th Street "David Ruffin Boulevard." Ruffin was born nearby and considered Meridian his home. His family attended the ceremony, and he received a star on Mississippi's Arts + Entertainment Experience's walk of fame.
Discography
With The Temptations
Solo
Studio albums
- 1969: My Whole World Ended
- 1969: Feelin' Good
- 1970: I Am My Brother's Keeper (The Ruffin Brothers: David & Jimmy Ruffin)
- 1971: David (unissued until 2004)
- 1973: David Ruffin
- 1974: Me 'N Rock 'N Roll Are Here To Stay
- 1975: Who I Am
- 1976: Everything's Coming Up Love
- 1977: In My Stride
- 1979: So Soon We Change
- 1980: Gentleman Ruffin
- 1988: Ruffin & Kendrick (Ruffin & Kendrick: David Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick)
See also
In Spanish: David Ruffin para niños
