Jimmy Ruffin
Encyclopedia
Jimmy Ruffin is an American
soul
singer, and elder brother
of the late David Ruffin
of The Temptations
. He had several hit records between the 1960s and 1980s, the most successful being "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
."
, Mississippi
, the son of a minister, and was approaching his second birthday when his brother David was born. As children, the brothers began singing with a gospel group, the Dixie Nightingales. In 1961, Jimmy became a singer as part of the Motown stable, mostly on sessions but also recording singles for its subsidiary Miracle label, but was then drafted for national service. After leaving the Army in 1964, he returned to Motown, where he was offered the opportunity to join the Temptations to replace Elbridge Bryant
. However, after hearing his brother David, they hired him for the job instead so Jimmy decided to resume his solo career. Jimmy Ruffin recorded for Motown's subsidiary Soul label, but with little success.
In 1966, he heard a song about unrequited love written for The Spinners, and persuaded the writers that he should record it himself. His recording of "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" became a major success and he felt he was on his way to becoming a star. The song reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the R&B Chart. It also initially reached #10 in the UK singles chart, rising to #4 when it was reissued in the UK in 1974. "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" remained Ruffin's best-known song. The intended follow-up, "East Side West Side
," written by Ron Welser and Flamingos' member Terry "Buzzy" Johnson, was released only in Australia, due to an argument with Motown head Berry Gordy
. Nevertheless, follow-ups in the US were successful, with "I've Passed This Way Before" and "Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got
" reaching the US charts in late 1966 and early 1967.
In April 1971, Dorothy Leyden was brutally raped and murdered in Manchester
after going to see Ruffin in concert with friends. In her handbag was a towel which Ruffin had thrown into the audience and she'd caught. Ruffin was asked if he had seen anyone watching Dorothy while he was performing, or acting suspiciously in the club. Leyden's murder was reconstructed on Crimewatch
in 2008, after the case was re-opened. Her killer is yet to be found, and the murder remains unsolved. Many locals suspected serial killer Trevor Hardy
was the killer, after he confessed to three similar murders before, but DNA tests proved that Hardy did not kill Leyden; therefore, the killer remains at large.
Jimmy Ruffin found success in the US hard to sustain, and began to concentrate instead on the British market. In 1970, "Farewell Is a Lonely Sound," "I'll Say Forever My Love" and "It's Wonderful" each made the UK top ten, and he was voted the world's top singer in one British poll. He also teamed up with brother David to record the album I Am My Brother's Keeper, a modestly successful 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
." Following the success of his first two hits, he found it hard to maintain an identity, as most of his songs were later covered by other Motown artists, most prominently "Everybody Needs Love," a hit when covered by Gladys Knight & The Pips
, "Maria (You Were The Only One)," a hit for Michael Jackson
and "If You Let Me," a minor hit for Eddie Kendricks
. In addition, he had recorded the first version of The Temptations
hit "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep."
He then left Motown, and recorded for the Polydor
and Chess
labels, where he recorded "Tell Me What You Want." 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
.
In the 1980s Ruffin moved to live in Britain, where he continued to perform successfully. In December 1984 he collaborated with Paul Weller
of The Style Council
for his benefit single "Soul Deep." This went under the name of The Council Collective and Jimmy appeared with Paul on Radio 1
to say he is involved because his father worked down the mines and "he understands the suffering." In 1986 he collaborated with the British
pop
group
Heaven 17
, singing "A Foolish Thing To Do" and "My Sensitivity" on a 12" EP record
. He also recorded duets with both Maxine Nightingale
and Brenda Holloway
. Later, Ruffin hosted a radio show in the UK for a time, and became an anti-drug advocate following the death of his brother David in 1991.
Ruffin was portrayed by Leon Robinson
in the 1998 Temptations
miniseries.
Living in England, he continues to tour and perform.
Since January 2011, Jimmy Ruffin has been working on writing and recording new songs for his new album which he plans to release on his 74th birthday, May 7, 2013.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer, and elder brother
Sibling
Siblings are people who share at least one parent. A male sibling is called a brother; and a female sibling is called a sister. In most societies throughout the world, siblings usually grow up together and spend a good deal of their childhood socializing with one another...
of the late David Ruffin
David Ruffin
Davis Eli "David" Ruffin was an American soul singer and musician most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of the Temptations from 1964 to 1968...
of The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
. He had several hit records between the 1960s and 1980s, the most successful being "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" is a hit single recorded by Jimmy Ruffin and released on Motown Records' Soul label in the summer of 1966. It is a ballad, with lead singer Jimmy Ruffin recalling the pain that befalls the brokenhearted, and their struggle to overcome their sadness so that they...
."
Life
Jimmy Ruffin was born in CollinsvilleCollinsville, Mississippi
Collinsville is a census-designated place in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 1,823 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Collinsville is located at ....
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, the son of a minister, and was approaching his second birthday when his brother David was born. As children, the brothers began singing with a gospel group, the Dixie Nightingales. In 1961, Jimmy became a singer as part of the Motown stable, mostly on sessions but also recording singles for its subsidiary Miracle label, but was then drafted for national service. After leaving the Army in 1964, he returned to Motown, where he was offered the opportunity to join the Temptations to replace Elbridge Bryant
Elbridge Bryant
Elbridge "Al" Bryant was an American tenor singer, and one of the founding members of Motown singing group The Temptations.-Early life and career:...
. However, after hearing his brother David, they hired him for the job instead so Jimmy decided to resume his solo career. Jimmy Ruffin recorded for Motown's subsidiary Soul label, but with little success.
In 1966, he heard a song about unrequited love written for The Spinners, and persuaded the writers that he should record it himself. His recording of "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" became a major success and he felt he was on his way to becoming a star. The song reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the R&B Chart. It also initially reached #10 in the UK singles chart, rising to #4 when it was reissued in the UK in 1974. "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" remained Ruffin's best-known song. The intended follow-up, "East Side West Side
East Side West Side (song)
"East Side West Side" is a 1966 Motown Records single recorded by Jimmy Ruffin. It was written by Ron Welser and Flamingos member Terry Johnson...
," written by Ron Welser and Flamingos' member Terry "Buzzy" Johnson, was released only in Australia, due to an argument with Motown head Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
. Nevertheless, follow-ups in the US were successful, with "I've Passed This Way Before" and "Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got
Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got
"Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got" is a psychedelic soul song recorded by Motown singer Marvin Gaye, released on the Tamla label in 1970. Like Gaye's UK hit "Abraham, Martin & John", the song has a social context: it depicts a man anticipating his release from prison on the morrow, when he'll...
" reaching the US charts in late 1966 and early 1967.
In April 1971, Dorothy Leyden was brutally raped and murdered in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
after going to see Ruffin in concert with friends. In her handbag was a towel which Ruffin had thrown into the audience and she'd caught. Ruffin was asked if he had seen anyone watching Dorothy while he was performing, or acting suspiciously in the club. Leyden's murder was reconstructed on Crimewatch
Crimewatch
Crimewatch is a long-running and high-profile British television programme produced by the BBC, that reconstructs major unsolved crimes with a view to gaining information from the members of the public. The programme is usually broadcast once a month on BBC One...
in 2008, after the case was re-opened. Her killer is yet to be found, and the murder remains unsolved. Many locals suspected serial killer Trevor Hardy
Trevor Hardy
Trevor Joseph Hardy , also known as the Beast of Manchester, is a convicted British serial killer who murdered three teenage girls in the Manchester area between December 1974 and March 1976...
was the killer, after he confessed to three similar murders before, but DNA tests proved that Hardy did not kill Leyden; therefore, the killer remains at large.
Jimmy Ruffin found success in the US hard to sustain, and began to concentrate instead on the British market. In 1970, "Farewell Is a Lonely Sound," "I'll Say Forever My Love" and "It's Wonderful" each made the UK top ten, and he was voted the world's top singer in one British poll. He also teamed up with brother David to record the album I Am My Brother's Keeper, a modestly successful 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
Ben E. King
Benjamin Earl King , better known as Ben E. King, is an American soul singer. He is perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me", a U.S...
's Stand by Me
Stand by Me (song)
"Stand by Me" is the title of a song originally performed by Ben E. King and written by King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller, based on the spiritual "Lord Stand by Me,", plus two lines rooted in Psalms 46:2-3...
." Following the success of his first two hits, he found it hard to maintain an identity, as most of his songs were later covered by other Motown artists, most prominently "Everybody Needs Love," a hit when covered by Gladys Knight & The Pips
Gladys Knight & the Pips
Gladys Knight & The Pips were an R&B/soul family musical act from Atlanta, Georgia, active from 1953 to 1989. The group was best known for their string of hit singles on Motown's "Soul" record label and Buddah Records from 1967 to 1975, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Midnight...
, "Maria (You Were The Only One)," a hit for Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
and "If You Let Me," a minor hit for Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks was an American singer and songwriter. Noted for his distinctive falsetto singing style, Kendricks co-founded the Motown singing group The Temptations, and was one of their lead singers from 1960 until 1971. His was the lead voice on such famous songs as "The Way You Do The Things...
. In addition, he had recorded the first version of The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
hit "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep."
He then left Motown, and recorded for the Polydor
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
and Chess
Chess Records
Chess Records was an American record label based in Chicago, Illinois. It specialized in blues, R&B, soul, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases....
labels, where he recorded "Tell Me What You Want." In 1980, Robin Gibb
Robin Gibb
Robin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry....
of the Bee Gees
Bee Gees
The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
produced his album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
Sunrise and the hit single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"Hold On To My Love," which reached #10 in the US and #7 in the UK, on the RSO label
RSO Records
RSO Records was a record label, formed by rock and roll and musical theatre impresario Robert Stigwood in 1973. The "RSO" stands for the Robert Stigwood Organisation. The company's main headquarters were at 67 Brook Street, in London's Mayfair...
.
In the 1980s Ruffin moved to live in Britain, where he continued to perform successfully. In December 1984 he collaborated with Paul Weller
Paul Weller
Paul Weller is an English singer-songwriter. Starting with the band The Jam , Weller then went on to branch out musically to a more soulful style with The Style Council...
of The Style Council
The Style Council
The Style Council were an English band, formed in 1983 by the ex-The Jam singer and guitarist Paul Weller, with keyboardist Mick Talbot. The permanent line-up grew to include drummer Steve White and Weller's then-wife, vocalist Dee C. Lee. Other artists such as Tracie Young and Tracey Thorn also...
for his benefit single "Soul Deep." This went under the name of The Council Collective and Jimmy appeared with Paul on Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
to say he is involved because his father worked down the mines and "he understands the suffering." In 1986 he collaborated with the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
group
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
Heaven 17
Heaven 17
Heaven 17 are an English synthpop band originating from Sheffield in the early 1980s. The trio comprises Martyn Ware , Ian Craig Marsh and Glenn Gregory...
, singing "A Foolish Thing To Do" and "My Sensitivity" on a 12" EP record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
. He also recorded duets with both Maxine Nightingale
Maxine Nightingale
Maxine Nightingale is a British R&B and soul music singer. She is best known for her hits in the 1970s, with the million seller "Right Back Where We Started From" Maxine Nightingale (born 2 November 1952; Wembley, London) is a British R&B and soul music singer. She is best known for her hits in...
and Brenda Holloway
Brenda Holloway
Brenda Holloway is an American singer and songwriter, a recording artist for the Motown label during the 1960s...
. Later, Ruffin hosted a radio show in the UK for a time, and became an anti-drug advocate following the death of his brother David in 1991.
Ruffin was portrayed by Leon Robinson
Leon Robinson
Leon Preston Robinson IV usually credited as simply Leon, is an American actor and singer, who began his professional career as an actor in 1981.-Personal life:...
in the 1998 Temptations
The Temptations (miniseries)
The Temptations is a four-hour television miniseries broadcast in two-hour halves on NBC, based upon the history of one of Motown's longest-lived acts, The Temptations...
miniseries.
Living in England, he continues to tour and perform.
Since January 2011, Jimmy Ruffin has been working on writing and recording new songs for his new album which he plans to release on his 74th birthday, May 7, 2013.
Albums
- Top Ten (1967) - U.S.Billboard 200The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
#133 - The Jimmy Ruffin Way (1967) - UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#32 - Ruff 'n' Ready (1969) - US #196, US R&BTop R&B/Hip-Hop AlbumsTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
#50 - The Groove Governor (1970)
- I Am My Brother's Keeper (1970) - US #178, US R&B #15
- Jimmy Ruffin ... Forever (1973)
- Greatest Hits (1974) - UK #41
- Sunrise (1980) - US #152
- The Ultimate Motown Collection (2003) (2 CDs) 981 200-6
- TBA (2013)
Singles
- Soul 35022 (US) / Tamla Motown TMG577 (UK) "What Becomes of the BrokenheartedWhat Becomes of the Brokenhearted"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" is a hit single recorded by Jimmy Ruffin and released on Motown Records' Soul label in the summer of 1966. It is a ballad, with lead singer Jimmy Ruffin recalling the pain that befalls the brokenhearted, and their struggle to overcome their sadness so that they...
" / "Baby I've Got It" (1966) - U.S.Billboard Hot 100The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
#7, US R&BHot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
#6, UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#8 - Soul 35027 (US) / Tamla Motown TMG593 (UK) "I've Passed This Way Before" / "Tomorrow's Tears" (1967) - US #17, US R&B #10, UK #29
- Soul 35032 (US) / Tamla Motown TMG603 (UK) "Gonna Give Her All the Love I've GotGonna Give Her All the Love I've Got"Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got" is a psychedelic soul song recorded by Motown singer Marvin Gaye, released on the Tamla label in 1970. Like Gaye's UK hit "Abraham, Martin & John", the song has a social context: it depicts a man anticipating his release from prison on the morrow, when he'll...
" / "World So Wide Nowhere to Hide" (1967) - US #29, US R&B #14, UK #26 - Soul 35035 (US) / Tamla Motown TMG617 (UK) "Don't You Miss Me a Little Bit Baby" / "I Want Her Love" (1967) - US #68, US R&B #27
- Soul 35043 (US) / Tamla Motown TMG649/740 (UK) "I'll Say Forever My Love" / "Everyone Needs Love" (1968) - US #77, UK #7
- Tamla Motown TMG664 (UK) "Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me" / "Lonely Lonely Man Am I" (1968)
- Tamla Motown TMG703 (UK) "I've Passed This Way Before" (re-issue) / "Tomorrow's Tears" (1969) - UK #33
- Tamla Motown TMG726 (UK) "Farewell is a Lonely Sound" / "If You Will Let Me I Know I Can" (1970) - UK #8
- Tamla Motown TMG753 (UK) "It's Wonderful (To Be Loved By You)" / "Maria (You Were the Only One)" (1970) - UK #6
- Tamla Motown TMG767 (UK) "Let's Say Goodbye Tomorrow" / "Living in a World I Created for Myself" (1970)
- Soul 35077 (US) "Maria (You Were The Only One)" / "Living In A World I Created for Myself" - US #97
- Tamla Motown TMG784 (UK) "On the Way Out (On the Way In)" / "Honey Come Back" (1971)
- Tamla Motown TMG911 (UK) "What Becomes of the BrokenheartedWhat Becomes of the Brokenhearted"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" is a hit single recorded by Jimmy Ruffin and released on Motown Records' Soul label in the summer of 1966. It is a ballad, with lead singer Jimmy Ruffin recalling the pain that befalls the brokenhearted, and their struggle to overcome their sadness so that they...
" (re-issue) / "Don't You Miss Me a Little Bit Baby" (1974) - UK #4 - Tamla Motown TMG922 (UK) "Farewell is a Lonely Sound" (re-issue) / "I Will Never Let You Get Away" (1974) - UK #30
- Tamla Motown TMG934 (UK) "I've Passed This Way Before" (re-issue) / "Sad and Lonesome Feeling" (1974)
- Tamla Motown TMG961 (UK) "I'll Say Forever My Love" (re-issue) / "It's Wonderful (To Be Loved By You)" (1974)
- Tamla Motown TMG996 (UK) "Gonna Give Her All the Love I've GotGonna Give Her All the Love I've Got"Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got" is a psychedelic soul song recorded by Motown singer Marvin Gaye, released on the Tamla label in 1970. Like Gaye's UK hit "Abraham, Martin & John", the song has a social context: it depicts a man anticipating his release from prison on the morrow, when he'll...
" (re-issue) / "I've Passed This Way Before" (1974) - Tamla Motown TMG1052 (UK) "What Becomes of the BrokenheartedWhat Becomes of the Brokenhearted"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" is a hit single recorded by Jimmy Ruffin and released on Motown Records' Soul label in the summer of 1966. It is a ballad, with lead singer Jimmy Ruffin recalling the pain that befalls the brokenhearted, and their struggle to overcome their sadness so that they...
" (re-issue) / "I'll Pick a Rose For My Rose" (1974) - Chess 2160 (US) / Polydor 2058 433 (UK) "Tell Me What You Want" (1974) - US R&B #42, UK #39
- RSO 1021 (US) / RSO 57 (UK) "Hold On to My Love" / instrumental version (1980) - US #10, US R&B #29, UK #7
- EMI 5524 (UK) "That's When My Loving Begins" (1985)
- EMI 5541 (UK) "There Will Never be Another You" (1985) - UK #68