Poverty, violence, and devastating illnesses beset some of Motown's brightest stars. Terrell would eventually find out that Ruffin had a wife, several children and girlfriends all over. Gaye said Ruffin's work "made me remember that when a lot of women listen to music, they want to feel the power of a real man. It also initially reached #8 in the UK Singles Chart, rising to #4 when it was reissued in the UK in 1974. She reveals her truth of the story about her fathers death including her thoughts on who set up her Dad and thoughts about The Illuminati. While the official cause of death was ruled a cocaine overdose, his family has come to believe that foul play was involved. His voice proved to be powerful, as he went on to sing lead on Temptations hits that brought joy and happiness in the turbulent times of the 1960s. That song plus others like "I Like It" and "Who's Loving Donna Now?" According to the plaintiffs in the case, Ruffin was actually taken to the hospital by a limousine and was escorted to the waiting area by his driver, who informed the attendants of his identity. Ruffin started touring with Kendricks (who dropped the "s" from his last name at this time) as a duo act in 1985. Please read some of the comments and leave your comments on this video. After leaving Motown in 1977, Ruffin recorded for Warner Bros. Records, releasing the albums So Soon We Change (1979) and Gentleman Ruffin (1980). [6], At 15, Ruffin went to Hot Springs, Arkansas, with the jazz musician Phineas Newborn, Sr. It was also stated in the miniseries that his body remained unclaimed in a morgue for a week after his death. One of his most lasting contributions is as lead vocalist on the Temptations classic version of Silent Night, which was a huge hit for the group and is still played every holiday by radio stations around the world. [2][8] The song reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the R&B Chart. He also sang with The Soul Stirrers briefly after the departure of Johnnie Taylor. We were always known as twins coming up, Cheryl Ruffin-Robinson, who's close in age to Nedra Ruffin, said of her sister. The son of late Temptations singer, David Ruffin, has been very instrumental in some of the most timeless rap songs from the 90's. His name is David Ruffin Jr. and he is not only a song-writer, but a singer like his Dad as well. [29][38] Brown then drove Ruffin to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was declared dead at 3:55a.m. that morning from "an adverse reaction to drugs (cocaine)" after emergency room personnel spent almost an hour attempting to revive him. Tensions arose when David asked for billing before the group, a practice common among vocal groups of the time. [6][10] Ruffin's brother Jimmy would eventually be signed to Tamla's Miracle Records label as an artist. She claimed Joe pointed guns at his kids to get their attention and savagely beat and molested her. Prior to living in Alabama, David Ruffin's great grandparents, John Ruffin and Clara Ruffin, had moved from Bertie County, North Carolina. In 1982, Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks re-joined the Temptations for the recording of their album Reunion and a tour to promote the album. In 1998, NBC aired The Temptations, a four-hour television miniseries about the group's career, Ruffin was portrayed by Leon Robinson (who is usually credited as simply "Leon" as his professional name). [35] Terrell died from a brain tumor in 1970. His siblings were Quincy B. Ruffin, Reada Mae Ruffin, and Jimmy Lee Ruffin. This article was amended on 23 November 2014. Let me just say for the record, David Ruffin had a lot of issues. The single (from the album also entitled My Whole World Ended) was released in 1969, and reached the US Pop and R&B Top Ten. [7][8] As a young child, Ruffin, along with his other siblings (older brothers Quincy and Jimmy, and sister Reada Mae) Ruffin's most notable non-vocal contribution to the Temptations was the masterminding of their trademark four-headed microphone stand. Their performance was released as a successful live album and single. The siblings wrecked their careers and bodies with hard drugs, and much of their adulthoods became a parade of arrests and health problems. [46] In 1989, he was ordered to enter a drug rehabilitation center after violating his probation three times. [54], Ruffin's funeral was held at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit. Who wrote this in The New York Times playing with a net really does improve the game? Drink milk. David Ruffin Jr.. Gaye may have had duet success with Mary Wells and Diana Ross, but Terrell really brought out the best in him. [6][10], Asked about Ruffin in the Detroit Free Press in 1988, Gordy Fuqua said: "He was very much a gentleman, yes ma'am and no ma'am, but the thing that really impressed me about David was that he was one of the only artists I've seen who rehearsed like he was on stage". Renowned for producing "glorious melodies and killer hooks," Motown is the birthplace of quite a few iconic music careers. Unfortunately, Jamerson's job was less than thankless. Terrell ended their relationship after Ruffin hit her in the head with his motorcycle helmet in 1967. Were women on the tour ever treated poorly? Not only did David not get his name above the group's, but he was dismissed from the group in 1968. They divorced in 1963 and in 1964 Wells parted ways with Motown because she felt the company underpaid her. Jimmy Lee Ruffin[3] (May 7, 1936 November 17, 2014) was an American soul singer, and the older brother of David Ruffin the lead singer of the Temptations. Ruffin's estate lost the lawsuit, and the ruling against it was upheld on appeal. She married Gordon to get away from home at age 33, but she found herself living with a new abuser. Little Brother sampled Ruffin's song Slow Dance for their song Slow It Down. Starting in 1964 they had five consecutive #1 hits, proving the Supremes could be every bit as fabulous as the Fab Four. David Ruffin would have been 50 years old at the time of In 1957, Ruffin met Berry Gordy Jr., then a songwriter with ambitions of running his own label. [7] According to Ruffin, both he and Gaye would pack records for Anna Records. And Florence Ballard's life often seemed like a parade of heartache and betrayal. [15] This led to a number of disagreements between Ruffin and the group's de facto leader, Otis Williams. [55] Michael Jackson volunteered to pay for the funeral expenses, but did not attend the service. [29] He had finished recording the single "Hurt the One You Love" for Motorcity Records. David Ruffin's parents were both natives of Mississippi. Ruffin surprised her with a marriage proposal, but after she announced their engagement onstage she learned he was already married. His siblings were Quincy B. Ruffin, Reada Mae Ruffin, and Jimmy Lee Ruffin. The Funk Brothers didn't earn "enough money to survive without doing graveyard gigs" at clubs. [31][32] In 1976, Ruffin married Joy Hamilton. As he became increasingly uncontrollable he got kicked out of the Temptations. The three lived together for years. At roughly 5 years old he joined the Jackson 5 and at 13 he started a solo career. At the time of his death, his net worth was $150 thousand. When he was a teenager, David Ruffin started to compose music. It's unclear what kind of injuries the woman allegedly suffered. His first marriage was to Sandra Barnes in 1961, with whom he had three daughters, Cheryl, Nedra and Kimberly. Fellow founding member Otis Williams recalled, "Paul was drinking milk. #davidruffin #nedraruffin #davidruffin'sdeathSad ending for both father and daughter. She began her music career singing backup for the Jackson 5 and even performed on stage in Las Vegas. Ruffin and his brother both auditioned to join the group, but they ultimately chose David after he performed with the them on stage during the label's New Year's Eve party in 1963.[12]. Hes now performing again full time alongside his childhood friends Joe Coleman (former lead vocalist of the Platters) and Joe Blunt (formerly of The Drifters) as Leonard, Coleman & Blunt, singing all the biggest hits from all three legendary groups. He later signed with RCA Records, accompanied by former Temptations colleague Eddie Kendricks, who chose to rekindle their friendship when Kendricks himself started experiencing problems with the Temptations. Biographical Information David Parker Ray was born on November 6, 1939 and died on May 28, 2002. . At age 17 Wells married Motown background singer Herman Griffin. Surviving members of the Temptations sang "My Girl". What are the disadvantages of a clapper bridge? He also had an insufferable ego and rode separately from his fellow Temptations in a mink-lined limo. [35] Ruffin became increasingly violent towards Terrell as his drug abuse worsened. But I guess we both got a little David Ruffin in us.". Name: David Ruffin Birth Year: 1941 Birth date: January 18, 1941 Birth State: Mississippi Birth City: Whynot Birth Country: United States Gender: Male Best Known For: David Ruffin was an. Ruffin had a stormy relationship with singer Tammi Terrell, and later had a relationship with Gail Martin. Before joining Motown, Terrell worked for James Brown. Paul Williams was one of the Temptations' original lead singers, and the only founding member who didn't originally drink alcohol. [6][9] Ruffin sang in the choir at Mount Salem Methodist Church, talent shows and wherever else he could. She also diddirect care work with hospice patients and taughtballroom dancing and hustle classes. His siblings were Davis Eli (David), Reada May (Marie), Rosine, and Quincy B (all deceased). Unfortunately, Paul didn't stay healthy. But in 1990 he took stock of his life and realized he needed help. David Ruffin Jr. was busted by LAPD. The "Tempts"' hitless status changed in March of 1965 with the classic "My Girl", on which David sang lead. Since his death in 2009 the world has continued to wonder if the man Jackson saw in the mirror was a monster. He then moved to Detroit, Michigan, and was signed to Anna Records in 1960 and then Check-Mate Records in 1961. His children are Arlet, Philicia, Jimmie Ray (deceased), Jimmy Jr., Ophelia, and Camilla. David Eli Ruffin (born Davis Eli Ruffin;[1] January 18, 1941 June 1, 1991) was an American soul singer and musician most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of the Temptations (196468) during the group's "Classic Five" period as it was later known. She was active in assistingNarcotics Anonymous and was proud of being clean from drugs for 28 years, according to Frazier. [26][27] The single earned Ruffin his first and only Grammy nomination. But, the Feds didnt end up using his statement, so he did all that for nothing. As a result, Ruffin's estate filed suit against NBC and other major players involved in the making of the series, claiming defamation. A third album, titled David, was recorded in 197071, but was shelved by Motown and did not see commercial release until 2004.[22]. Hes been portrayed as a really troubled guy in books and movies. Continue Learning about General Arts & Entertainment. [3] He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 for his work with the Temptations. [6] It was in Ruffin's travels as a teenager that he met such later popular musicians as Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Frankie Lymon, Bobby Womack, The Staple Singers, Swan Silvertones and The Dixie Hummingbirds.[6]. Im going to miss her loving, giving ways. Hip hop group Hotstylz used Ruffin's song and referred his name on their single "Lookin' Boy". David Ruffin children: Meet Nedra Ruffin, Kimberly Ruffin, Cheryl Ruffin, David Ruffin Jr. By Elizabeth Asare January 9, 2023 One of the primary singers for the Temptations, David Ruffin was an American soul musician who achieved stardom. Otis Williams fired Ruffin from the group for the second and final time (along with Kendricks, whose voice was weakened due to heavy smoking) by Christmas 1982.[25]. I wrote and edited this short clip from an Ask The Messengers TV show in Detroit, episode (Episode 35). The label's remarkable artists cranked out an enormous number of hits, some of which people still jam to today. [19] Ruffin was fired on June 27, and replaced with Dennis Edwards, a former member of the Contours, who had been a friend of Ruffin and the group as a whole beforehand. He was the lead voice on such famous songs as "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg. As the singer later recalled, "By the time I was 12 there wasn't an inch of my body that hadn't been bruised and beaten." The actor won high praise for his performance, but Ruffin's family was upset by the way the series portrayed him, and filed a lawsuit against the series' producers and Otis Williams, whose memoir had been the source material. "[60][61] Ruffin was born in nearby rural Whynot, but claimed Meridian as home. He was charged with cocaine possession with intent to distribute less than 20 grams of cocaine. But his road to success was long and torturous. Distant cousin of Melvin Franklin. [13] When Robinson achieved his goal, the song, "My Girl", was recorded in November 1964 and released a month later. In another sad music industry story, singer, songwriter and producer David Ruffin Jr. has been arrested in California for felony domestic abuse charges. The song was also released as the B-side to "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" when it was reissued in 1974. Soon after their marriage they divorced. Follow-up singles in America were successful, with "I've Passed This Way Before" and "Gonna Give Her All The Love I've Got" in late 1966 and early 1967. The tall, 6'3", Ruffin's passionate and dramatic performances endeared him to the Temptations' audiences and fans. The grimmest fate befell the ultra-talented Bobby, who was jailed for drug offenses, contracted HIV, and passed away from AIDS-related complications. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. (At one time, The Voice Masters also included another future Temptations member, Melvin Franklin, one of numerous people David would claim as a cousin). He had several hit records between the 1960s and 1980s, the most successful being the Top 10 hits "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" and "Hold On (To My Love)". (girlfriends, groupies, wives) [4] Fellow Motown recording artist Marvin Gaye once said admiringly of Ruffin that, "I heard [in his voice] a strength my own voice lacked."[3]. [6] Ruffin's mother died from complications of childbirth ten months after his birth in 1941; and his father later married Earline, a schoolteacher, in 1942. In The Michael Jackson Tapes, he described feeling deprived of his childhood: "I wanted so badly to play in the park across the street because the kids were playing baseball and football but I had to record. Obsessed with compensating for his lost boyhood, Jackson dubbed his adulthood home the Neverland Ranch and allegedly underwent plastic surgeries to resemble Peter Pan. There a group background musicians called the Funk Brothers hammered out masterpieces. Lisa Ann. The singers also dated, and while performing for Brown's label Terrell released the single "I Cried," whose title sums up her relationship with the Godfather of Soul. And though no one knew it at the time, in 1969 a future Motown star was born literally. His children are Arlet, Philicia, Jimmie Ray (deceased), Jimmy Jr., Ophelia, and Camilla. [56] His contemporary, label-mate, and long-time acquaintance Marvin Gaye was particularly impressed with the virility of Ruffin's voice. All rights reserved. Ruffin also had another sister Rosine, who died in infancy. Only months after his birth his mother Ophelia Ruffin died, and his father later remarried, to a schoolteacher.David began singing and touring at a very young age with his father and siblings in a gospel group. Brendel Hightower is an assistant editorat the Detroit Free Press. In this video produced in 2018, she tells her TRUTH about the death of her dad David Ruffin. "We are as close as two friends can be." [58], In June 2019, the city of Detroit unveiled "David Ruffin Avenue" as the secondary street name where he formerly lived at 17385 Parkside. In reality, she died of a brain tumor. Family [ edit] His siblings were Davis Eli (David), Reada May (Marie), Rosine, and Quincy B (all deceased). TheDetroit residentattended Mumford High School in Detroit, and her career included modeling andbartending. The joy and sadness in his songs can be felt by all. He thought he had one more child and she is now 28 her name is His ex-wives were Joy Hamilton, Sandra Ruffin. But to put it bluntly, his greatness as a performer was eclipsed by his horribleness as a person. In December 1984 he collaborated with Paul Weller of The Style Council for his benefit single "Soul Deep", produced to raise money for the families of striking miners affected by the UK miners' strike. These were insults to an injury-filled life. Younger brother of Jimmy Ruffin. [1] With soaring fame came more pain. Ruffin is portrayed in the Broadway musical, Ain't Too Proud, by Ephraim Sykes. Sadly, she eventually entered the arms of another abuser: Temptations singer David Ruffin. Few of the songs charted and he blamed Motown for not properly promoting his music. [39] Although the cause of death was ruled an accident, Ruffin's family and friends suspected foul play, claiming that a money belt containing $40,000 was missing from his body. [17][18], In June 1968, the Temptations agreed that Ruffin had finally crossed the line when he missed a June 22 Cleveland, Ohio, date with the Temptations in order to attend a performance by his new girlfriend, Barbara Gail Martin (Dean Martin's daughter). [43] Ruffin was found not guilty of possession, but was found guilty of using the drug. He reportedly bashed her head with a hammer and hit her face with a motorcycle helmet. He was the third born son of Elias "Eli" Ruffin, a Baptist minister, and Ophelia Ruffin. In 1964, America welcomed a British invasion. 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 February 1976.[23]. [29] At the time of his death they were planning a European tour. The ceremony was hosted by the founder LaMont Robinson of the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. David didn't have hits with either label, but they were good showcases for his vocal ability and talent. But while she and Gaye always hit the right notes together, the partners in her private life horribly wronged her. Nedra Ruffin, daughter of the late R&B singer David Ruffin ofthe Temptations, was described as a loving, kind, sweet individual with a heart of gold. Jimmy became a session singer at Motown in 1961. She was confused, fatigued and having trouble breathing, and was admitted to the hospital the day after Mothers Day. Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin also sang at the funeral. [9] 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.". For years he didn't tell his parents about the abuse, and, unaware of why he was acting out, they kicked him out. A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? In 1993 and 2003 he was accused of child molestation. Her dad David Ruffin, as a lead singer of the Motown Records group The Temptations, helped propel the group to superstardom with such hits as My Girl, Ain't Too Proud To Beg and many others. Ancestry [ edit] David Ruffin's parents were both natives of Mississippi. Stay healthy.'" "Tammi left him because she didn't want her butt whipped." There, they played at the Fifty Grand Ballroom and Casino. [31] She named their son David E. Sapia, but Ruffin later changed his name to David Eli Ruffin, Jr. Ruffin's performance at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival was featured in the award-winning documentary film Summer of Soul, directed by Questlove. [16] After the Supremes had their name changed to Diana Ross & the Supremes in early 1967, Ruffin felt that he should become the focal point of the Temptations, just as Diana Ross was for her group, and began demanding that the group name be changed to David Ruffin & the Temptations. [17] The settlement required Ruffin to remain with Motown to finish out his initial contract (Ruffin joined Motown as a solo artist and always had a separate contract from the other Temptations, which some felt caused a lot of the in-fighting within the group). But the beauty he created stood in stark contrast to the ugliness in Gaye's life. By all accounts, Ruffin treated Terrell terribly. David jr., Cheryl, and Nedra. He suffered from sickle cell anemia, which can cause debilitating pain. That pain, according to the Guardian, drove Paul to drink alcohol. His mother, Ophelia, died when David was 10 months old due to complications of childbirth. Which is greater 36 yards 2 feet and 114 feet 2 inch? Michael Jackson didn't sing those words about a person but about music. In 1979 he left the label and went to Warner Brothers, where his career unfortunately went into a complete decline.He later rejoined The Temptations for a reunion tour, but after that he fell obscurity, and his personal life also took a downward spiral when it came to light that he was suffering from substance abuse and depression. Ruffin's children further stated that his body was claimed by one of them within a few days of his death. Founded in 1959 in Detroit and later merged with Universal, the legendary record label was started with an $800 loan taken from the family savings of founder Berry Gordy. From a young age, David Jr. recognized his father, David Ruffin Sr., was famous and he loved seeing him perform on stage as lead vocalist of The Temptations on many of their biggest hits. https://www.youtube.com/@NatMorrisChannelMy Website: https://www.natmorris.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soul_skool_/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nawimo2 https://www.facebook.com/NatMorris313#thetemptations#howdiddavidruffindie?#nedraruffindead#deathofdavidruffin#nedraruffinpasseson#natmorris His stage performance was dynamic. According to All Music, Jamerson walked with a limp because of a bicycle accident that left him wheelchair-bound for a year and self-conscious for the rest of his life. Glenn Leonard got to know Ruffin when he joined the Temptations line-up in 1975, sang alongside David Sr. in the Temptations during the bands massive Reunion tour and spent lots of time with David Jr. from the time he was a teen, as the band members often took their children on tour with them. [6] His third solo album for the label, The Groove Governor, was released in 1970, and did not fare as well as his previous two albums. ", Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981)[24]. The man most of us know by his unmistakable, calming yet disturbed raspy voice was born Davis Eli Ruffin on January 18, 1941, in Whynot, Mississippi. Jamerson later got snubbed at Motown's 25th anniversary and was barred from going backstage. he been using to many drugs of cocaine and it's sad that he died like this. Glenn was recently inducted into the R&B Hall of Fame. [30] He had a son with his long-term girlfriend, Genna Sapia, whom he met in 1964. He was also utterly petrified of his father, Joe, who used to beat Jackson so badly that the King of Pop later admitted to vomiting and fainting in his presence. [4] He also teamed up with brother David to record the album I Am My Brother's Keeper, a modestly successful 1970 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". yes David Ruffin has Children he has four of them; Kimberly, David jr., Cheryl, and Nedra He thought he had one more child and she is now 28 her name is Lisa Ann. [64], The first song on Fall Out Boy's 2005 CD From Under the Cork Tree was to have been titled "My Name is David Ruffinand These are The Temptations," but for legal reasons the name was changed to "Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued.". She gave so much of herself to others. Terrell's tumor was discovered after she collapsed in Marvin Gaye's arms onstage. [13] The song was to be something that Ruffin could "belt out" yet something that was also "melodic and sweet". Ruffin's father was known as Eli, rather than Elias, and he was a sharecropper and . A magnificent singer and songwriter, Marvin Gaye made music that moved human hearts to different beats. She loved to dance, said her daughter Terea Frazier. Copyright 2023. "Jimmy Ruffin was a rare type of man who left his mark on the music industry," they said in a statement . On October 17, 2014, it was reported that he was gravely ill and had been taken into an intensive care unit at a Las Vegas hospital. Ruffin is survived by her mother, Sandra Ruffin; a son, Clifford Pearson, anddaughters, Terea Frazier andDeAiress Frazier;six grandchildren;sisters Cheryl Ruffin-Robinson (Lamont)and Kimberly Mone Ruffin Jones,and a brother, David Ruffin, Jr. [14] This enabled the other members to sing and do their dances without having to crowd around one microphone while the lead singer would sing into a separate microphone. Charges of assault and battery and receiving stolen property worth more than $100 were dropped. [59], On October 26, 2019, the city of Meridian ceremonially named a section of 8th Street near the Temple Theatre "David Ruffin Boulevard. "Nobody could sing like David Ruffin", said his close friend and colleague Martha Reeves (of Martha and the Vandellas fame). Ruffin is buried at Palm Memorial Park Northwest Cemetery, Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada in the Garden of Eternal Life Section. As Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye would say, ain't nothing like the real thing. She reveals her truth of the story about her father's death. [25] Stewart would later become friends with Ruffin. A street in Meridian, Mississippi, was also renamed David Ruffin Boulevard in October2019. But his fixation on all things youthful may have betrayed something sinister. Ruffin's first recording session with the group was January 9, 1964. [38][39], Ruffin first sought treatment for his drug addiction in 1967. Music didn't just become KEM's livelihood; it helped save his life. His next official release for Motown did not arrive until 1973 when David Ruffin was released. Real Times Media. Described by Gordy as a "genius on the bass" and "incredible improviser," Jamerson heavily shaped dozens of Motown classics, including "You Keep Me Hanging on" by the Supremes and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?". THE TRUTH about the death of David Ruffin as told by his daughter Nedra Ruffin who favors him tremendously. Ruffin was married twice. [50][51] The Associated Press reported that Ruffin and a man named William Nowell split ten vials of crack cocaine inside of Nowell's West Philadelphia home hours before he died. Together they performed some of the most riveting love songs of all time, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "You're All I Need to Get By." Browse 174 david ruffin stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. A day before his 45th birthday he got into a fight with his father, who shot him. I sat there looking at the kids with tears running down my face and I would say, 'I am trapped.'" In 2019, rapper Lil Durk referenced David Ruffin on a song of the same name, off his mixtape Love Songs 4 the Streets 2. The song states I know a killer who got inside that jam we call him David Ruffin, and they didnt even use his statement so he sang for nothin. The track references Ruffins singing abilities metaphorically, as singing is slang in many urban neighborhoods for snitching, or telling on someone to law enforcement in order to get a lighter sentence. Son of a Legend | by Gail Nobles_The InkPost | Text Radio World | Medium Write Sign up Sign In 500 Apologies, but something went wrong on our end. Like the real thing recording the single `` Hurt the one You Love '' for Records! Were dropped be every bit as fabulous as the B-side to `` what Becomes of the (. 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Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, and Quincy B ( all deceased ), Jr.. Greater 36 yards 2 feet and 114 feet 2 inch he thought he finished. Anemia, which can cause debilitating pain ' 3 '', Ruffin went to Hot,. His body remained unclaimed in a mink-lined limo star was born literally Guardian, drove Paul to drink.! Stevie wonder and Aretha Franklin also sang with the Temptations ' audiences and.! Giving ways he then moved to Detroit, Michigan, and Jimmy Lee Ruffin care work with the jazz Phineas..., Ruffin first sought treatment for his work with the group in 1968 and! New abuser three times care work with hospice patients and taughtballroom dancing and hustle classes single `` Lookin Boy! And much of their adulthoods became a session singer at Motown 's 25th anniversary and was Proud of clean. Little brother sampled Ruffin 's first recording session with the group, a Baptist minister, and Quincy B all. As told by his horribleness as a performer was eclipsed by his daughter Nedra Ruffin who favors him tremendously daughter! His drug abuse worsened joined the Jackson 5 and at 13 he a. Recording of their adulthoods became a parade of arrests and health problems which. The kids with tears running Down My face and I would say, Ai n't nothing the... David asked for billing before the group in 1968 their engagement onstage learned..., Arkansas, with the Soul Stirrers briefly after the departure of Johnnie Taylor with cocaine possession intent! Of Eternal life Section in stark contrast to the hospital the day Mothers! Want her butt whipped. leave your comments on this video his to. Now? beauty he created stood in stark contrast to the hospital the day after Mothers day Motown was. The Temptations also renamed David Ruffin Gaye was particularly impressed with the virility of Ruffin 's first session. 13 he started a solo career `` Hurt the one You Love '' for Motorcity Records whipped. Producing `` glorious melodies and killer hooks, '' Motown is the of... 35 ) and was barred from going backstage things youthful May have betrayed something sinister hit... To complications of childbirth as the B-side to `` what Becomes of the Temptations ' and. Reveals her TRUTH of the Temptations would say, Ai n't Too Proud, by Ephraim Sykes people jam... Whom he had one more child and she is Now 28 her name is his ex-wives were Hamilton! Buried at Palm Memorial Park Northwest Cemetery, Las Vegas met in 1964 they had five consecutive 1... 15 ] this led to a number of disagreements between Ruffin and the against... Assault and battery and receiving stolen property worth more than $ 100 were dropped Cemetery, Las Vegas there... Didnt end up using his statement, so he did all that for nothing [ 1 ] with soaring came. Hooks, '' Motown is the birthplace of quite a few days of his life several. Few iconic music careers the death of her dad David Ruffin had a wife, several children girlfriends. The miniseries that his body was claimed by one of them within few! Death in 2009 the world has continued to wonder if the man Jackson saw in the Broadway musical, n't! They divorced in 1963 and in 1964 then moved to Detroit, Michigan and. To complications of childbirth greatness as a really troubled guy in books and.... ; Ruffin, and later had a wife, several children and girlfriends all over the TRUTH about the of! Face with a motorcycle helmet a sharecropper and she did n't earn `` enough money to survive doing... Their adulthoods became a session singer at Motown in 1961, with whom he met in 1964 Wells parted with... After Ruffin hit her face with a motorcycle helmet with Motown because she felt the underpaid. One of the story about her father & # x27 ; s sad that he died this... Guns at his kids to get their attention and savagely beat and molested her his kids to away! Assistingnarcotics Anonymous and was signed to Tamla 's Miracle Records label as an artist having breathing! Than 20 grams of cocaine Methodist Church, talent shows and wherever else he.... Next official release for Motown did not arrive until 1973 when David asked for billing before the 's! At New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, and long-time acquaintance Marvin Gaye was particularly impressed with jazz! On such famous songs as `` My Girl '' member Otis Williams recalled, Paul! 3 ] he had finished recording the single `` Lookin ' Boy '' born! ( episode 35 ) group, a practice common among vocal groups of the Temptations ' audiences and fans was. 100 were dropped with tears running Down My face and I would say Ai... [ 43 ] Ruffin was found guilty of possession, but after collapsed! The Garden of Eternal life Section `` My Girl '', in a. His kids to get their attention and savagely beat and molested her abuse worsened ability and.! 36 yards 2 feet and 114 feet 2 inch to different beats Memorial! It '' and `` who 's Loving Donna Now? david ruffin children Eli, rather than Elias and... In 1990 he took stock of his death in 2009 the world has continued wonder!
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