Jimmy Ruffin
Motown • Soul • R&B
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Jimmy Ruffin (May 7, 1936 – November 17, 2014) was a powerful Motown-era soul singer known for a dramatic, aching delivery that could turn heartbreak into something cinematic. He’s most widely recognized for the timeless classic “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted”.
- Born: May 7, 1936
- Died: November 17, 2014
- Label: Motown
- Known for: Big, emotional lead vocals and classic heartbreak storytelling
- Family: Older brother of David Ruffin (The Temptations)
Ruffin’s signature is emotional clarity: he sings like he means every word, with a soaring top end and a raw edge that makes the drama feel real. His best performances balance polish (Motown’s pop-soul craft) with genuine, lived-in feeling.
- A definitive 1960s soul record—strings, groove, and a vocal that’s both wounded and resolute
- Built around a universal question, making it endlessly relatable
- Often featured in films/TV and covered by many artists
A solid starter set of Jimmy Ruffin tracks:
- What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
- I’ve Passed This Way Before
- Farewell Is a Lonely Sound
- My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)
- Hold On (To My Love) (with later-era disco/soul polish)
- A defining voice of Motown’s “grown-up” heartbreak sound
- Proved that a singer can be both pop-accessible and deeply soulful
- His signature hit remains a standard for vocalists learning phrasing and emotional pacing
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