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David Ruffin (Davis Eli Ruffin) ( January 18 , 1941 – June 1 , 1991 ) was an American Soul singer most famous for his work as lead singer of The Temptations from 1964 to 1968 . BIOGRAPHY Born in Whynot, Mississippi , David Ruffin and his older brother Jimmy Ruffin moved first to Memphis, Tennessee , and later to Detroit, Michigan in the 1950s , both pursuing careers in music. Both Ruffins were eventually signed to the local Anna label as solo artists; the label was absorbed by Motown Records in 1961 . In January 1964 David Ruffin became a member of Motown singing group the Temptations after founding member Elbridge "Al" Bryant was fired from the group. Ruffin was a distant cousin of Temptation Melvin Franklin . Ruffin sang backgrounds on the Temptations' records until November 1964 , when Songwriter / Producer Smokey Robinson wrote a single especially for Ruffin to sing lead on. That song, " My Girl ", became the group's first #1 single and its signature song. The follow-ups to "My Girl" were also extremely successful singles, including " Since I Lost My Baby " ( 1965 ), " Ain't Too Proud To Beg " ( 1966 ), "All I Need" ( 1967 ), and " I Wish It Would Rain " ( 1967 ). Ruffin's passionate and dramatic performances endeared him to the Temptations' audiences and fans. After Temptations Spin-off group 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''. He became addicted to Cocaine , and began regularly missing group meetings, rehearsals, and performances. Refusing to travel with the other Temptations, Ruffin and his then-girlfriend Tammi Terrell traveled in a custom Limo . In mid- 1968 , the Temptations decided they could no longer put up with Ruffin's behavior, and replaced him with former Contour Dennis Edwards . Bitter and upset that he had been fired, Ruffin began turning up at Temptations concerts and, when the group started to perform a Ruffin-era song such as "My Girl" or "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", would grab the microphone from Dennis Edwards and steal the show. The Temptations hired extra security to prevent Ruffin from attending their shows, and Ruffin in return filed suit against Motown Records, seeking a release from the label. Motown attempted to settle with Ruffin by offering him a solo recording contract, which he at first balked at, but later accepted. Ruffin's first solo single was a song originally intended for the Temptations, "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)". The single reached the US pop & R&B Top Ten, and Ruffin continued releasing solo material into the 1970s , with his final Top Ten hit being 1975 's "Walk Away From Love", produced by Van McCoy . He also recorded an album with his brother Jimmy during this period. After leaving Motown in 1977 , Ruffin recorded for Warner Brothers , and later signed with RCA , accompanied by former Temptations bandmate Eddie Kendricks . After being inducted into the on June 1 , 1991 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . SOLO DISCOGRAPHY Albums David Ruffin
The Ruffin Brothers
David Ruffin
Ruffin & Kendrick
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