David Ruffin was an American soul singer, celebrated for his role as one of the lead vocalists of the Temptations during their legendary “Classic Five” era. Known for his distinctively raspy and impassioned tenor voice, Ruffin’s vocal talents shone on iconic tracks such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” His influence extended beyond the Temptations, as he later achieved solo success with hits like “My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)” and “Walk Away from Love.”
Early Life and Ancestry
Ruffin was born in Whynot, Mississippi, a rural community southeast of Meridian, on January 18, 1941. He was the third son of Elias “Eli” Ruffin, a Baptist minister, and Ophelia Ruffin. His ancestry traces back to North Carolina, where his great-grandparents John and Clara Ruffin lived before moving to Alabama and later Mississippi. John Ruffin served in the Civil War as part of the 14th United States Coloured Heavy Artillery Regiment.
Ruffin’s mother passed away ten months after his birth, and his father remarried a schoolteacher named Earline in 1942. As a child, Ruffin and his siblings formed a gospel group with their father and stepmother, performing alongside gospel legends like Mahalia Jackson. By age 14, Ruffin had left home to pursue ministry under the guidance of a pastor, Eddie Bush. Shortly after, his focus shifted to music, performing in talent shows and with gospel groups such as the Dixie Nightingales and briefly, the Soul Stirrers.
Early Career
In the late 1950s, Ruffin moved to Detroit with Eddie Bush, where he began recording under the name “Little David Bush.” His first recordings, “You and I” and “Believe Me,” were released in 1958. Around this time, Ruffin met Berry Gordy Jr., who would later found Motown Records. Ruffin contributed to Gordy’s projects, including helping construct the iconic Hitsville USA building. He also worked alongside Marvin Gaye and other aspiring artists at Anna Records.
By the early 1960s, Ruffin joined the Voice Masters, a doo-wop group that included future Motown legends. He recorded solo tracks for Anna Records but achieved limited success. In 1963, Ruffin auditioned for the Temptations and officially joined the group in January 1964, replacing Elbridge “Al” Bryant.
Success with the Temptations
Initially, Ruffin sang background vocals, but producer Smokey Robinson recognised his potential and crafted the perfect song to showcase his unique voice. “My Girl” was recorded in 1964, becoming the Temptations’ first number-one hit in 1965. Ruffin’s passionate performances and commanding stage presence propelled the group to greater heights, with a string of hits including “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep,” and “I Wish It Would Rain.”
Ruffin’s charisma and dramatic style made him a fan favourite, but his growing ego and personal struggles, including a cocaine addiction, began to cause tension within the group. By 1967, Ruffin demanded that the group be renamed “David Ruffin & the Temptations,” mirroring the Supremes’ rebranding to highlight Diana Ross. This demand, combined with missed rehearsals and conflicts with other members, led to his dismissal in 1968.
Solo Career and Legacy
After leaving the Temptations, Ruffin embarked on a solo career. Despite initial legal disputes with Motown, he achieved success with hits like “My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me).” His passionate, raspy vocals earned him widespread acclaim and influenced countless artists.
In 1989, Ruffin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Temptations. Rolling Stone magazine honoured him as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time in 2008 and again in 2023.
David Ruffin’s legacy endures as a cornerstone of soul music, remembered for his unmatched vocal abilities and timeless contributions to the genre.
Personal Life
Relationships and Children
David Ruffin was married twice. His first marriage was to Sandra Barnes in 1961, and they had three daughters: Cheryl, Nedra, and Kimberly. Ruffin also had a son, David Eli Ruffin Jr., with his long-term girlfriend, Genna Sapia, whom he met in 1964. Initially, Sapia named their son David E. Sapia, but Ruffin later changed his name to match his own. The couple lived together for several years. In 1976, Ruffin married his second wife, Joy Hamilton.
After Ruffin’s death, Sapia adopted the last name “Ruffin” as a tribute to their relationship and for continuity with her son. In 2003, she published A Memoir: David Ruffin—My Temptation, which detailed Ruffin’s infidelity and abusive behaviour throughout their time together.
Relationship with Tammi Terrell
In 1966, Ruffin began dating Motown singer Tammi Terrell after she joined the Motortown Revue, opening for the Temptations. Their relationship was turbulent, marked by significant highs and lows. Ruffin surprised Terrell with a marriage proposal, but she later discovered he was already married, leading to emotional turmoil.
As Ruffin’s drug use escalated, he became increasingly violent toward Terrell. In one incident, he struck her in the head with a motorcycle helmet, which marked the end of their relationship in 1967. Terrell had suffered from migraines since childhood, but she later told Ebony magazine in 1969 that the stress of her relationship with Ruffin may have worsened her condition. Terrell tragically passed away from a brain tumour in 1970.
Later Years
From 1989 until his death, Ruffin lived in Philadelphia with Diane Showers, a woman he met as a fan when she was 14 years old. Their relationship remained until the end of his life.
Ruffin’s personal life was marked by both passion and challenges, with his relationships often complicated by infidelity, substance abuse, and emotional struggles.
How Did David Ruffin Die?
A Detailed Look at the Tragic End of a Temptations Icon
The Final Days of David Ruffin
David Ruffin, renowned for his role as the lead vocalist of The Temptations during their golden era, tragically passed away on June 1, 1991. His untimely death followed a successful month-long tour of England alongside fellow Temptations alumni Eddie Kendricks and Dennis Edwards. Ruffin’s life came to an abrupt and shocking end due to an accidental overdose of crack cocaine, leaving fans and loved ones mourning the loss of a musical legend.
The Events Leading to His Death
According to authorities, Ruffin collapsed in a West Philadelphia crack house, where he had gone with a friend, Donald Brown. After the collapse, Brown drove him to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Despite the emergency room staff’s efforts to revive him for almost an hour, Ruffin was pronounced dead at 3:55 a.m. The official cause of death was listed as “an adverse reaction to drugs (cocaine).”
Reports later revealed that Ruffin and another man, William Nowell, had split ten vials of crack cocaine at Nowell’s home just hours before Ruffin’s death. Although authorities ruled the death an accident, speculation and controversy surrounded the circumstances. Ruffin’s family and friends suspected foul play, citing the disappearance of a money belt reportedly containing $40,000. Despite these suspicions, no conclusive evidence emerged to substantiate claims of wrongdoing.
Controversy and Media Portrayals
Ruffin’s death became a subject of public scrutiny and media representation. In The Temptations television miniseries, a dramatized version of events depicted Ruffin’s beaten body being dumped in front of a hospital where he later died. Additionally, the series suggested that Ruffin’s body went unclaimed at the morgue for a week, further sensationalizing his tragic end.
These portrayals sparked a legal battle as Ruffin’s estate filed a defamation lawsuit against NBC and other parties involved in the production. The plaintiffs argued that the miniseries inaccurately depicted the events surrounding Ruffin’s death. They claimed that Ruffin was actually transported to the hospital in a limousine and accompanied into the waiting area by his driver, who informed the hospital staff of his identity. Furthermore, Ruffin’s children stated that his body was claimed by one of them within days, not weeks, of his passing. However, the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, and the ruling was upheld on appeal.
A Farewell Fit for a Legend
Ruffin’s funeral took place at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, drawing a large gathering of family, friends, and fans. Surviving members of The Temptations performed their iconic hit “My Girl” in his honor, while musical luminaries Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin delivered heartfelt tributes through song.
Michael Jackson, although unable to attend the service, generously offered to cover the funeral expenses. Floral arrangements were sent by several prominent figures in the music industry, including Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Daryl Hall and John Oates, The Spinners, and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. Ruffin’s impact on the world of music was evident in the outpouring of love and respect shown at his funeral.
Final Resting Place
David Ruffin was laid to rest in section three of Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit. His grave serves as a somber reminder of a life filled with immense talent and profound contributions to music, cut short by tragedy.
