This Day in Music: David Ruffin (The Temptations)

On June 1, 1991, David Ruffin of the Temptations was found dead in Philadelphia of a drug overdose. At the time, he was on a special reunion tour with the Temptations which featured a majority of "the classic five" line-up minus Paul Williams who died in the 1970's. Nevertheless, this was major because David had been seen as the "problem child" of the group which led to his dismissal back in 1968.

The Temptations have a long musical legacy, and David certainly contributed to the groups initial success by helping the Tempts gain attention both Black and White audiences during the early to mid 60's. He joined the group in 1963, and eventually the group made a strong impression on the charts with their breakthrough single "The Way You Do the Things You Do," after years of recording minor/local hits. The Temptations were on a high with Eddie Kendricks singing lead on all of the groups releases. However, the Tempts hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart when Smokey Robinson decided to give the lead vocal to David on the group's classic record, "My Girl, " in early 1965. Soon after, David was given all of the lead parts on the group's classic hits such which help transition the group's sound as well.

Back in the early days, Motown had a company policy where artists were assigned to specific producers. If those producers were able to produce hit after hit for the same artist, that producer was considered the act's main producer, and no other producer would be able to work with group for single release. Smokey Robinson served as the Temptation's main producer, and his songs were mostly light and romantic. Norman Whitfield wanted to give the Temptations a more soulful, heavier sound in the light of James Brown and Otis Redding's material during the time. This lead to a battle of the producers and Berry Gordy, founder of Motown, came to the decision to release Smokey records, then Norman's record which happened to be "Get Ready," and "Ain't Too Proud To Beg," respectively. Subsequently, both records became number one R&B Hits but Norman's record "Ain't Too Proud To Beg," performed much better on the Pop charts so Norman became the Temptations new main producer and the Temptations output placed a greater on emphasis on Soul but still aligned with the Motown Sound. With that said, this vision fit perfectly with David's voice and the group became more and more popular as a result.

With more fame, came more troubles for the group at the hands of David. He began to separate himself from the group, began missing rehearsals and performances (due to cocaine usage), and felt like the group's name should be changed to David Ruffin and the Temptations in light of the The Supremes name change to Diana Ross & the Supremes which sparked a cascade of The Miracles and Martha & the Vandellas names being formally changed and so forth. To his dismay and some of the group's members, David was fired by Otis Williams, the group leader, Berry Gordy, and the Temptation's manager.

After the Temptations, David remained at Motown and released some material. His first solo record "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me" hit both the R&B and Pop top ten. After that peak of success, David's career was not the same, and certainly not as impeccable as the Temptations without him.

As a member of the Temptations, David was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. And many people have often been inspired by his music. Fellow Motown legend, Marvin Gaye once said that David possessed a strength that his voice lacked.

Check out this clip of David performing "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)" on television in 1968.