Candi Staton sometimes revisits one of her favorite memories of her old friend. Only months after his birth his mother Ophelia Ruffin died, and his father later remarried, to a schoolteacher.David began singing and touring at a very young age with his father and siblings in a gospel group. David's voice will continue to bridge the generation gap just as it crossed the color lines in the sixties and seventies. But he one day admitted that he had a sister, Rita Mae, and two famous brothers: David, the Temptation, and Jimmy Ruffin, a Motown artist who sang What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.. He wasnt interested in trying to get us to sing, she laughed. David began singing and touring at a very young age with his father and siblings in a gospel group. Ruffin was arrested in the late 80s for drug possession, and went through rehabilitation. His voice proved to be powerful, as he went on to sing lead on Temptations hits that brought joy and happiness in the turbulent times of the 1960s. It aint nothin but another television show, he told them. By the late-1960s, he had developed alcoholism, which made it hard for him to continue with the group. Marvin Gaye / #MarvinGayeLou Rawls / #LouRawls andDavid Ruffin / #DavidRuffin (Lead singer of the #Temptations). All rights reserved. Law enforcement sources tell us officers responded to a home in the San Fernando Valley . Edwards moved to Florissant, Missouri in the 1980s to be closer to his mother. CryCryCry - DAVID RUFFIN JR MR DAVIDRUFFINJR 2.72K subscribers Subscribe 495 Share 19K views 3 years ago "Cry Cry Cry" was originally conceived in the winter of 2010. David Ruffin of the Temptations had a daughter named Nedra Ruffin. (L) David Ruffin with son, David Jr.; (R) David Ruffin. The singer had four children a son, David, and daughters Cheryl, Nedra, and Kimberly who saw him in a different light. The Temptations soon reached a higher plane, the stage that Ruffin had fantasized gracing when he was still in Mississippi. David Ruffin was a singer in the group the Temptations. Check out the songs he helped Snoop Dogg, Tupac and others create, David Ruffin Jr. The Ruffins mother died when David was a baby, and their father, Eli Ruffin, later forced the siblings to become a singing group the Spiritual Trying Four. He was raised by his father (who was a strict Baptist minister) and his new wife who was a teacher. Let me know when youre ready to sing! . [14] The couple had one daughter, Issa Pointer, who became a member of her mother's vocal group, The Pointer Sisters. Mr. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', He was a very complicated person.. Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia odio sem nec elit. }); Copyright 2015 . The Temptations officially introduced Edwards on July 9, 1968 on stage in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. In the mid-1980s, he attempted a solo career, scoring a hit in 1984 with "Don't Look Any . Ruffin was offered a barbecued steak. David didn't have hits with either label, but they were good showcases for his vocal ability and talent. [8] Edwards was the first singer to join the Temptations after their "Classic 5" period. The Four Tops are a famous Motown group from the 1960s. The Temptations are a group of singers who have been around for many years. Ruffin wanted to end the session early and leave with his friends, but a producer insisted that he needed to stay. My Girl was the bands first No. Edwards began missing shows and rehearsals, and was replaced in 1984 by Ali-Ollie Woodson. [A]ll I needed was the right song for his voice, and I felt like I would have a smash hit record, Robinson once told NPR. Williams described one Temptations appearance in Kentucky that ended in a hail of gunfire, as a group of white men began firing at the band as they loaded their bus, shouting racial slurs, and warning them, dont you ever come back here again!. I felt like I was watching myself from above. Ruffin the voice of Motown classics like My Girl died at age 50 in 1991. Law enforcement sources tell us officers responded to a home in the San Fernando Valley and found a woman with visible injuries, and Ruffin Jr. was taken into custody. Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder sang at the funeral of David Ruffin, a singer from the Temptations. But DRJ is leaving his own trail of History! David Ruffin\s funeral was paid for by Michael Jackson, who also sent a floral arrangement. David was hanging with a bad crew, Hall said. The original members are all gone now, but the group is still going. Eli's parents had moved from Alabama to Mississippi, because of the harsh circumstances of living after the American Civil War. Who replaced David Ruffin in the Temptations? Oh, I knocked him out cold, Ruffin said, shaking his hand. This blog is dedicated to celebrating the life and career of one of the most iconic figures in Motown history, David Ruffin Jr.\s mother, Mrs. Ruffin. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. His stage performance was dynamic. Candi Staton saw in Ruffin a lust for life that could take different forms. It wasnt called a disease. The son of late Temptations singer, David Ruffin, has been very instrumental in some of the most timeless rap songs from the 90s. David Ruffin Jr. is known for Real Bloodlines (2015), The Making of: Running Out of Time and Without U (2022). He fed it to his dog, and asked his surprised hosts: You got any baby food? David Ruffin then tucked into a jar of baby peaches, and quietly explained that he was plagued by an ulcer. [9] Edwards was also inducted into Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame with The Temptations in 2013. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. David Ruffin Collapsed at Crack House, blared one headline from the Washington Post; Overdose Called Massive: He Must Have Built Up Strong Tolerance in Past, Doctor Says, read another, from the Philadelphia Daily News. and found a woman with visible. 7-May-1939) Wife: Joy Hamilton (m. Apr-1976, div.) Rod Stewart, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Diana Ross, the Spinners, and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas also sent floral arrangements. Legends are never forgotten and David Ruffin IS a musical LEGEND. It's in his blood. 2 on the R&B charts and included the radio singles "(You're My) Aphrodisiac" and "Just Like You". The two men argued, and disappeared from view. Dennis Edwards Jr. (February 3, 1943 February 1, 2018) was an American soul and R&B singer who was best known as the frontman in The Temptations, on Motown Records. Hes a singer whos released several songs throughout the years. Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams quit The Temptations. Thank you for joining us! Otis Williams is the last original member and he has a net worth of $5 million. The Temptations should do some music with him and bring that old Motown sound back again. It could have been a storybook start to a third act revival. That person\s name is Otis Williams, and he is also a record producer and actor. [3] The album of the same name reached No. David Ruffin was a singer with the group the Temptations. Check it out and tell us what you think on Facebook. When he was a kid in rural Mississippi, living, for a time, in a house with no running water, he dreamed of being a famous performer. I believe that we all grow up at some point. He is singing, Cant Get Next To You. David Ruffin was born Davis Eli Ruffin on January 18, 1941, in Whynot, Mississippi. When David Ruffin was a child, his mother died and his father made him sing in a group called the Spiritual Trying Four. Here is his mother [David Jr] not sure what race/ethnicity she is.. and not sure why she carries the Ruffin last name if they weren't married.. Click to expand. In 1965, when Gina was 8 years old, she met her uncle David for the first time. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; After a failed attempt at a Motown solo career, Edwards rejoined the Temptations in 1980, when they returned to Motown. The Detroit resident attended Mumford High School in Detroit, and her career included modeling. They could team up with . Home. His tenure with the Temptations ended abruptly, in 1968, when the group fired him for skipping one of their concerts; Ruffin had opted instead to watch one of Dean Martins daughters sing at the Latin Casino, in Cherry Hill. But Ruffin also reached out to his brother Quincy in 1991, and suggested they go back to Mississippi, and walk along a lake together, their feet in the sand. Thousands attended his funeral in Detroit, a send-off that said more about Ruffin, and what his music meant to people, than any of the headlines about his death. The Ruffins\ mother died when David was a baby, and their father, Eli Ruffin, later forced the siblings to become a singing group the Spiritual Trying Four. As the son of the late singer David Ruffin, the legendary former lead singer of the Temptations, there will always be comparisons to his father. They have had over 20 members, but only one original member is still alive. We now understand why his dad was so adamant about Jr.s other musical abilities. [8] He continued similar stunts for about a month until, according to Edwards, the group decided to lay-off Edwards with the promise of a solo deal from Motown and rehire Ruffin. It's unclear what kind of injuries the woman allegedly suffered. The son of late Temptations singer, David Ruffin, has been very instrumental in some of the most timeless rap songs from the '90s. Glad to know that there is a David Ruffin Jr. that has great talent like his father. She was a native of Suffolk, Virginia where she attended East Suffolk Nedra Ruffin's father, David Ruffin, sang lead for the Temptations in the 60s and went solo in the 1970s. 1 record, but proved to be so much more a paean to love that has endured for more than five decades. [2] He attempted to get a release from his contract, as HollandDozierHolland had promised to sign him to their new Invictus Records, but was drafted in late June 1968 to join the Temptations, who had just fired Ruffin from the act. replacing David Ruffin and sang with the group from 1968 to 1976, 1980 to 1984 and 1987 to 1989. . You know, sometimes legends come back. It is David Ruffin Jr. we can partly thank for that, because he wrote the timeless hook: Rollin down the street, smokin indo, sippin on gin and juice/ Laid back (with my mind on my money and my money on my mind). The man was a walking skeleton.. He died in 1991, and his funeral was paid for by Michael Jackson. With his own Band" backing him locally, nationally, and potentially internationally, David is well prepared to further elevate the Ruffin name in the entertainment world. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. Family (2) Trivia (5) Cousin of Jimmy Ruffin Jr.. Half-sister of Cheryl Ruffin, Nedra Ruffin, and Kimberly Ruffin-Jones. The 48-year-old is a singer and stage actor in Los Angeles. When we think of David Ruffin, we think of The Temps and soul R&B, which is why we were pretty surprised that . David and Jimmy Ruffin, though, had their voices. Dennis Edwards Jr. (February 3, 1943 - February 1, 2018) was an American soul and R&B singer who was best known as the frontman in The Temptations, on Motown Records.Edwards joined the Temptations in 1968, replacing David Ruffin and sang with the group from 1968 to 1976, 1980 to 1984 and 1987 to 1989. Ruffin, 58, died May 19 at . He had a spot on his liver and the doctor said he needed to retire from the group. His father Eli worked as a truck driver at numerous lumber mills, and his mother Ophelia worked out of their home. Otis Lamont Miles died in 1983 from falling off a building in a workplace accident in Detroit. When the world lost David Ruffin, it lost a life too short-lived, a heavenly voice, and a whimsical, charismatic man. Did you know that David Ruffin had a son? Offstage, Ruffin was a jumble of contradictions playful but short-tempered, ambitious but hindered by hidden demons, at a time when substance abuse and mental health were widely misunderstood. Himself, Do you know something we don't? Menu. His name is David Ruffin Jr. and he is not only a song-writer, but a singer like his Dad as well. The Son of a Legend, David Ruffin Jr, understands the expectations that have been placed upon him, but hopefully once his voice is heard, it might become more pleasantly obvious, that he does his best to continue the RUFFIN Soul! In 1989 Otis Williams was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and David and Eddie begin touring with ex-Temptation Dennis Edwards. Classic indeed! He has also performed with and opened for the legendary singing group, The Dramatics and opened for Shanice Wilson at L.A.'s own, Conga Room in late Oct of 2011. I work on the investigations team, and narrative-driven projects. David Parker Ray was robbed of a normal childhood. David Ruffin Jr. was busted by LAPD shortly after midnight. When David was about 13 or 14, Gina said, he used to always play a game Lets pretend Im on The Ed Sullivan Show! and stand on a piece of wood, singing, and tell the other kids to clap for him.. Ruffin ventured inside, and somehow got his hands on a microphone. In another sad music industry story, singer, songwriter and producer David Ruffin Jr. has been arrested in California for felony domestic abuse charges. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. Edwards had a relationship with singer Aretha Franklin, who stated he was the inspiration behind her 1972 soul song "Day Dreaming". To his former bandmates, Ruffin could seem like a riddle. Classic indeed! He arrived at her familys house in North Carolina in an eye-catching white limousine that had been fitted with white mink carpet, accompanied by a large, white dog. From a young age, David Jr. recognized his father, David Ruffin Sr., was famous and he loved seeing him perform on stage as lead vocalist of The Temptations on many of their biggest hits. They could team up with Smokey Robinson again and write some good old fashion love songs like they use to do. Her father, Quincy Ruffin, a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces, had long insisted that he had been an orphan. He passed away tragically from a drug overdose in 1991 when Nedra was 27. He sounds quite a bit like his father to me. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', Murrell remembers watching Ruffin sometimes disappear into properties to buy drugs. Nedra Ruffin's father, David Ruffin, sang lead for the Temptations in the 60s and went solo in the 1970s. For other people named Dennis Edwards, see, An audio sample of "Don't Look Any Further", 19901994: Ruffin, Kendricks, and Edwards, The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today), "Don't Look Any Further" by Dennis Edwards, "Classic concert: Dennis Edwards back in Magic City with Temptations Review", #VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Dennis Edwards, Dennis Edwards obituary; Lead singer of the Temptations whose gritty vocals brought urgency and drama to hits such as Papa Was a Rollin Stone and Cloud Nine, List of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, "Ex-Temptations Singer Dennis Edwards Loses His Court Battle to Use Temptations Name", "Throwback Clip: Aretha Franklin talks writing 'Day Dreaming' about Dennis Edwards", "Topically Yours: Dennis Edwards Interview (podcast)]", "Legendary Temptations singer Dennis Edwards, of Florissant, dies at 74", "Dennis Edwards, Temptations Lead Singer, Dead At 74", "Temptations Former Lead Singer Dennis Edwards Dead at 74", "DENNIS EDWARDS - full Official Chart History", Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations, Lost and Found: You've Got to Earn It (19621968), I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You), Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dennis_Edwards&oldid=1141040792, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from January 2018, All articles needing additional references, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2015, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 23 February 2023, at 01:44. 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