A Quick Guide to: David Ruffin
David Ruffin is considered to be one of the Top 100 singers of all time. Here’s a short history of the career of Davis Eli Ruffin, aka David Ruffin, aka Little David Bush, aka the singer of the Temptations hit song “My Girl”.
Ruffin’s music career begins in Detroit with Vega Records when he releases a couple songs for Vega Records. At this point, Ruffin was operating under the name Little David Bush.
Ruffin lived with a contractor at this time and would help out. He ended up helping, in the most literal sense, building Hitsville USA. This would become the home of Tamla Records, which later became Motown Records.
While here, Ruffin began recording in a doo-wop combo under the name the Voice Masters. With this project, he was both a vocalist as well as the drummer.
The Voice Masters included Lamont Dozier, who would later become a producer at Motown Records. Ty Hunter, CP Spencer, Hank Dixon, and Walter Gaines, who would later form The Originals. The Voice Masters also included Melvin Franklin who would go on to be a member of The Temptations.
At this point, the Temptations were still a local group. David’s brother, Jimmy, told him that the Temptations were looking for tenor. Ruffin tried to get involved with the group, but wouldn’t be a member until Al Bryant was fired from the group.
David’s first performance with the Temptations was at the record label’s New Year’s Eve party (1963). With his first recording session on January 9th, 1964.
For a majority of this first year Ruffin was kept tucked in the background vocals. Most of the group didn’t think he was talented enough to be the lead vocalist. The only man who saw his potential was, the legendary, Smokey Robinson.
Smokey Robinson co-wrote and produced most of The Temptations work up to this point, so he decided he’d write a song specifically to showcase Ruffin. The song he wrote was “My Girl”. It was recorded and November and in 1965 it became the first single by The Temptations to reach number 1. Just like that, David Ruffin became the frontman and lead singer of The Temptations. “My Girl” was followed up by more hits and the group grew.
Ruffin is the one who came up with the four-headed microphone that became a Temptations staple. The lead singer is on one mic while the rest of the group is on a four-headed mic. This gave them more space for their dances since it prevented the whole group from crowding one microphone.
In 1967 Ruffin went a little wild. He became addicted to cocaine and would only travel in a custom limo with sunglasses painted on the door. He also wanted to change the name of the group to David Ruffin & The Temptations. This was inspired by The Supremes changing their name to Diana Ross & The Supremes.
June 1968, Ruffin skipped one of his own shows to watch his girlfriend’s show. His girlfriend at the time was Dean Martin’s daughter, but still he had left the group without a frontman and he was cut from the group.
Ruffin acted the fool and followed the group around for a while. Going as far as to jump on stage when they performed songs such as “My Girl”. This is great for fans, but terrible for the unity of a group.
The Temptations decided to give Ruffin a second chance in Maryland, but he showed up late and was fired a second time.
After this, Ruffin sued Motown in an attempt to get out of his contract. Of course, Motown sued him back to keep him on the contract. He became a solo artist, which is what Motown originally hired him as.
1970, David Ruffin works on an album with his brother called, “I Am My Brother’s Keeper”, which had a couple successful songs on it. He also recorded his solo project “David” at this time. However, Motown would not release this album until 2004. 13 years after Ruffin had died.
His self-titled, “David Ruffin” album would drop in 1973 to a lackluster response. Ruffin was going deeper into his cocaine addiction and Motown was giving him less support than other artists. I can only assume this is because he sued them, but was still forced to work for them.
“Walk Away From Love” would be his last top 10 hit. Released in 1975, and went gold by 1976.
In 1982, Ruffin and his replacement, Eddie Kendricks, rejoined the Temptations for the “Reunion” album and subsequent tour. Well, Ruffin did what Ruffin does and didn’t show up. So, yet again, he was fired from The Temptations.
David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks formed a duo and eventually linked up with Hall & Oates for a live show. A medley of Temptations hits performed by the four of them went on to earn David Ruffin his one and only Grammy.
The Temptations and David Ruffin were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Just after that, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks (who had dropped the “s” in his name), and Dennis Edwards formed a group called Ruffin/Kendrick/Edwards: Former Leads of The Temptations.
They toured for a month in England with relative success. They were planning a tour of Europe when David Ruffin died in a crack house from a crack cocaine overdose on June 1st, 1991.
Fast forward from there to the modern day and David Ruffin has been sampled by numerous rappers. Let’s quickly go through some of the more notable songs that have sampled him:
“Common Man” was sampled by Jay-Z on “Never Change”.
“Slow Dance” was sampled by Little Brother on “Slow it Down”. It was also sampled by Ty Dolla $ign on “Slow It Down”.
“The Double Cross” was sampled by J. Cole on “Grew Up Fast”.
“Statue of a Fool” was sampled by Ghostface Killah on “Love”.
“Can We Make Love One More Time” was sampled by 9th Wonder on “Beat 22”.
“Break My Heart” was sampled by Knxwledge. on “Avakadokroam[lytegreen]”.
“Let Somebody Love Me” was sampled by Westside Gunn on “Summerslam 88”.
“Hey Woman” was sampled by Lil Wayne on “Cry Out”.