- Music
- 20 Nov 14
The 78-year-old has died in Las Vegas.
Team Hot Press is deeply saddened by the death of Motown legend Jimmy Ruffin whose 'What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted' is one of the finest songs to ever come out of the Motor City.
That was just the tip of the classic soul iceberg though, with 'I've Passed This Way', 'I'll Say Forever My Love', 'Farewell Is A Lonely Sound' and 'Gonna Give Her All The Love I've Got' also making grown men and women go all gooey.
His social activism included helping The Style Council record 'Soul Deep' in 1984 for striking British miners.
"Jimmy Ruffin was a phenomenal singer," says his old label boss Berry Gordy. "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."
Elsewhere, "Jimmy Ruffin is God!" tweets Edwyn Collins; 'Goodbye Mr. Ruffin, another soul great leaves us!" adds Boy George, and "RIP, Jimmy. Heaven has never sounded so sweet," is Rod Stewart's take.
Thank you for the music, sir.