After Dinner Speakers: Jimmy Ruffin, Vic Reeves, James Whitaker

Jimmy Ruffin is the older brother of David Ruffin. They are two brothers from Mississippi who are famous as singers in one of the most famous groups in the world, The Temptations. In fact, David Ruffin became the lead singer for this pop rock group early in his career. David Ruffin later died from a drug overdose, but Jimmy Ruffin continues to sing. Jimmy Ruffin, who was the oldest, was born in Collinsville, Mississippi, on May 7, 1939. As kids, David and Jimmy began their career with a gospel group called the Dixie Nightingales. David and Jimmy Ruffin began their career signing with Anna Records. (Contemporary Musicians Volume Two. 202-203). In 1964, the two brothers joined The Temptations with David Ruffin alternating as the lead vocalist. (Contemporary Musicians Volume Two. 202-203). The Temptations released their first single with Motown in the recording studio after they changed their name from the Primes. (Jimmy Ruffin. com/history/timeline/1960). Jimmy Ruffing, the older brother of the Temptations' lead singer David Ruffin, enjoyed several huge hits himself in the mid-'60s for Berry Gordy's Soul label. Ruffin first signed with another Motown subsidiary, the short-lived Miracle, in 1961, but it was his convincing vocal on "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" that made him a star in 1966. He encored with "I've Passed This Way Before" and "Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got.," In 1970 he briefly teamed with David (by then David was singing solo and was no longer a Temptation) as the Ruffin Brothers and cut a duet remake of Ben E. King's "Stand by Me." He staged an impressive comeback in 1980 on RSO Records with a major pop hit, "Hold On to My Love," that was produced by Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees ( Dahl, All-Music Guide)