b. 18 January 1941, Meridian, Mississippi, USA, d. 1 June 1991. The younger brother of Jimmy Ruffin and the cousin of Melvin Franklin of the Temptations, David Ruffin was the son of a minister, and began his singing career with the gospel group the Dixie Nightingales. He combined the roles of vocalist and drummer in the doo-wop combo the Voice Masters from 1958, before signing to the Anna label in Detroit as a soloist in 1960. His releases there and on Check-Mate in 1961 proved unsuccessful, though they demonstrated the raw potential of his vocal skills. In 1963, Ruffin replaced Eldridge Bryant as tenor vocalist in the Temptations. At first, he played a supporting role behind the falsetto leads of Eddie Kendricks. From 1965 onwards he was allowed to take the spotlight on hits such as "My Girl" and "I Wish It Would Rain", which illustrated his commanding way with a ballad, and raunchier R&B material such as "I'm Losing You" and "Ain't Too Proud To Beg". Adopting the role of frontman, Ruffin was soon singled out by the media as the key member of the group, though his erratic behaviour caused some tension within the ranks.

Listen to David Ruffin at Finetune.

• (2006)  The Motown Solo Albums Vol. 2
• (2005)  The Solo Albums, Volume 1
• (2000)  20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best of David Ruffin
• (1998)  The Ultimate Collection: David Ruffin

• Walk Away From Love
• My Whole World Ended
• My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)
• Just Let Me Hold You For A Night
• Statue Of A Fool

• The Temptations
• Marvin Gaye
• Al Green
• Stevie Wonder
• Four Tops
• Aretha Franklin
• The Isley Brothers
• Smokey Robinson
• Commodores
• Gladys Knight & The Pips
• Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
• The Spinners
• Michael Jackson
• The O'Jays
• Earth, Wind & Fire
• Diana Ross & The Supremes
• Jimmy Ruffin
• The Marvelettes
• The Jackson 5
• Diana Ross

• Caribbeancelebs
• hughley
• kcinffx
• jonburke
• BRO3434
• mycalscott
• babydoll1363