Music
Jimmy Ruffin
1936–2014 · soul singer
Motown singer of “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted”, older brother of Temptations lead David Ruffin, who built his career at Hitsville in Detroit.
- Born
Collinsville, Mississippi- Died
Las Vegas, Nevada
aged 78- Birth name
- Jimmy Lee Ruffin
- Detroit years
- c. 1960–early 1970s
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Jimmy Ruffin grew up in Mississippi and came to Detroit, where in 1961 he joined the Motown stable, singing on sessions and cutting singles for the subsidiary Miracle label before he was drafted. Back from the Army in 1964, he was offered a place in the Temptations, but the spot went to his younger brother David, who became the group's famous lead voice. Jimmy stayed a solo artist on Motown's Soul label, and in 1966 he recorded “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted”, a deeply felt ballad that became a top 10 hit in the US and one of Motown's most enduring songs. He followed it with further hits, particularly in Britain, and in 1970 made the album I Am My Brother's Keeper with David. After leaving Motown he scored again with “Hold On (To My Love)” (1980), produced by Robin Gibb, and he spent many years living and performing in the UK.
Highlights
- “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” (1966), a US top 10 hit
- “Hold On (To My Love)” (1980), produced by Robin Gibb
- Album I Am My Brother's Keeper with David Ruffin (1970)
- Turned down a place in the Temptations that went to his brother
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Recorded here · 1961–early 1970s
Motown Museum
Motown's Detroit studio, where he sang on sessions and recorded his solo hits. Now the Motown Museum.