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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZRUFFIN, David and JimmySoul vocalists, David (b 18 Jan. '41; d 1 June '91, Philadelphia PA) and Jimmy (b 7 May '39) from Meridian MS originally, where their father was a Baptist preacher. David sang gospel with the Dixie Nightingales, worked as a jockey in Arkansas where he met Anna Gordy, who was planning to start her own Anna label, which became part of the Motown empire of her brother Berry; David joined the Temptations, alternating as lead vocalist '64--8 on many hits. Jimmy worked in a factory in Detroit; a co-worker who was a member of the Contours introduced him to Gordy, who signed him as a solo artist to subsidiary Miracle label (he turned down an offer to join the Temptations). Jimmy hit top ten USA and UK '66 with 'What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted' on Soul (another Motown label), six more Hot 100 entries by mid- '71 and three top ten UK hits '70, then 'Hold On To My Love' '80 on RSO for transatlantic top ten; 'There Will Never Be Another You' '85 on EMI reached UK chart; 'The Foolish Thing To Do' '86 with blue-eyed Heaven 17 was UK soul hit on Virgin. David's solo career incl. 'My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)' '69, 'Walk Away From Love' '75 (both top ten USA), other Hot 100 entries incl. duet with Jimmy 'Stand By Me' '70; recorded for WB late '70s--early '80s; appeared with Hall and Oates at Live Aid, made LP with them Live At The Apollo With David Ruffin And Eddie Kendricks '85. Their fine voices deserved more hits. |