David Ruffin

Rhythm and blues, Musical Artist

1941 – 1991

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Who was David Ruffin?

Davis Eli "David" Ruffin was an American soul singer and musician most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of the Temptations from 1964 to 1968. He was the lead voice on such famous songs as "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg."

Known for his unique raspy and anguished tenor vocals, Ruffin was ranked as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine in 2008. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 for his work with the Temptations. Fellow Motown recording artist Marvin Gaye once said admiringly of Ruffin that, "I heard [in his voice] a strength my own voice lacked."

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Born
Jan 18, 1941
Whynot
Also known as
  • Davis Eli Ruffin
  • Ruffin, David
  • The Ruffin Brothers
Siblings
Spouses
Children
Ethnicity
  • African American
Nationality
  • United States of America
Profession
Lived in
  • Mississippi
  • Memphis
  • Philadelphia
Died
Jun 1, 1991
Philadelphia

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

Citation

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