Birth Name: Davis Eli Ruffin
Birth: January 18, 1941

Biography and Career:

David Ruffin was born on January 18, 1941. He was an American singer and songwriter.

David Ruffin was born on 18th January 1941 in Mississippi. He is the son of Eli and Ophelia Ruffin. His mother died when he was young. He travelled with his family as a gospel group when he was very young. Ruffle song in many talent shows and also at the choir of the Mount Salem Methodist Church.

When he was just 14 he went to Memphis under the guardianship of a minister. When he was 15, Ruffin went to Hot Springs, Arkansas and there he played at the Fifty Grand Ballroom and Casino with Phineas Newborn Sr. He kept singing in talent shows and worked in a stable. He joined The Dixie Nightingales. He came across an d met some famous celebrities when he was a young man.

When Ruffin was only 17 years old he recorded his first few songs at VEGA Records. Ruffin released his first few songs in 1958 and then started recording at ANNA Records and released a few more songs in 1961. Ruffin finally met the band The Temptations. His elder brother was already working with them on tours. Ruffin met Otis, a band member of the group and showed interest in joining the group. He recorded his first session in January 1964 with the band. Both Ruffin and his brother David were considered.

Ruffin started singing in the background with the band in live performances and recordings. He met Smokey Robinson who made him sing a song named My Girl. The song was recorded and released in December 1964. The song was an instant hit and the band came to the top charts with their first popular track.

They recorded many other songs in the future until he started having problems with the band in 1967. He became an addict and started missing out rehearsals in concerts for his girlfriend. He also started talking about the financial and earnings of the band and asked them to change the name of the band. The band fired him in 1968 due to his attitude problems and he started his solo career. He produced many other songs in the 1970s and 1980s and some of them were popular. He went to prison and had to face cases a number of times due to his taxes, theft and drug issues.

Ruffin married twice and had three daughters and one son named David Junior from his girlfriend. He died on June 1, 1991 due to drug issues.

Why do we like David Ruffin?

We like him because he was a good singer and songwriter.

Why is David Ruffin Famous?

He is famous because of his few memorable songs.

by FW Editor

David Ruffin Lists

	Accidental human deaths in Pennsylvania
	African American musicians
	African American male singers
	American rhythm and blues musicians
	American soul musicians
	Cocaine-related deaths in the United States
	Drug-related deaths in Pennsylvania
	English-language singers
	Motown Records artists
	People from Detroit, Michigan
	People from Memphis, Tennessee
	People from Hot Springs, Arkansas
	People from Mississippi
	People from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
	The Temptations members
	1941 births
	1991 deaths

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David Ruffin Pictures

 

David Ruffin Movies
The Man Who Knew Too Little
David Ruffin Filmography

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Tags: 1941, capricorn, singer, whynot

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Category: Musicians  - ( Musicians Archive)

Date Added: 26 November '12

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