David Ruffin

soul singer, member of The Temptations

Since 1941 · Ended in 1991

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David Eli Ruffin (born Davis Eli Ruffin; January 18, 1941 – June 1, 1991) was an American soul singer most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of the Temptations (1964–1968) during the group's "Classic Five" period as it was later known. Ruffin was the lead voice on such famous songs as "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg". He later scored two top 10 singles as a solo artist, "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)" and "Walk Away from Love".

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 and again in 2023. 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."

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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David Ruffin (né Davis Eli Ruffin) est un chanteur américain de soul né le 18 janvier 1941 et mort le 1er juin 1991. Il est le chanteur principal du groupe The Temptations de 1964 à 1968, pendant la période dite « Classic Five » du groupe. Parmi ses interprétations de chansons du groupe, on peut citer My Girl ou encore Ain't Too Proud to Beg. Il quitte le groupe en 1969 pour mener une carrière solo pendant laquelle il sortira une dizaine d'albums.

Sa voix de baryton lui vaut d'être classé en 2008 parmi les 100 meilleurs chanteurs de tous les temps (65e rang) par le magazine Rolling Stone. Il entre en 1989 au Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0