Jimmy Ruffin, the Motown singer whose biggest hit was the perennial “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted”, has died at the age of 78.

Jimmy Ruffin was born in Mississippi, but moved to Detroit in the early 1960s and was signed to Motown’s Miracle label, before being signed to the Motown record label. Although he will be known in perpetuity for “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted”, Jimmy Ruffin’s had other hits including “Farewell is a Lonely Sound”, “I’ve Passed This Way Before”, “Gonna Give Her All the Love I Got” and “Hold On To My Love”.

Jimmy was the older brother of David Ruffin, former lead singer of the Temptations, who died in 1991 of a drug overdose, prompting his elder sibling to become an anti-drug campaigner.

A family statement said that Ruffin was “a rare type of man who left his mark on the music industry. We will treasure the many fond and wonderful memories we all have of him”. Meanwhile Motown Records founder Berry Gordy said he was a “phenomenal singer”, adding: “He was truly underrated because we were also fortunate to have his brother, David, as the lead singer of The Temptations, who got so much acclaim.”

Let’s pay tribute to the life and wonderful talent that was Jimmy Ruffin, with this Record Press Top 5 Best Jimmy Ruffin Songs –

Top 5 Best Jimmy Ruffin Songs

1)   What Becomes of the Broken Hearted ( No10 1966 / No4 1974 )

2)   Farewell is a Lonely Sound ( No8 1970 / No30 1974 )

3)   I’ve Passed This Way Before ( No29 1967 )

4)   I’ll Say Forever My Love ( No7 1968 )

5)   It’s Wonderful To Be Loved By You ( No6 1970 )

Which is your favourite Jimmy Ruffin song? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

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