Skip to main content

Jimmy Ruffin Biography

jimmy-ruffin
  • Born: May 7, 1939 in Colinsville, MS
  • Years Active: 1950s-present
  • Member of: The Holidays
  • Genre: R & B

The older brother of the Temptations' lead singer David Ruffin, Jimmy enjoyed several huge hits himself in the mid-'60s for Berry Gordy's Soul label. Ruffin first signed with another Motown subsidiary, the short-lived Miracle, in 1961, but it was his convincing vocal on "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" that made him a star in 1966. He encored with "I've Passed This Way Before" and "Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got." In 1970 he briefly teamed with David (by then a solo artist) as the Ruffin Brothers and cut a duet remake of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me." He staged an impressive comeback in 1980 on RSO Records with a major pop hit, "Hold On to My Love," that was produced by Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees. ~ Bill Dahl, Rovi

Advertisement