The Magnolia State is filled with a lot of talent. In fact, many famous musicians and singers were 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 right here in Mississippi.
David Ruffin is one of those successful stars. He was one of the lead singers of the legendary African American group signed to Motown Records — the Temptations.
In Meridian, Mississippi, there is an amazing work of art that pays tribute to the music legend. Ruffin, along with the Temptations, are examples of excellence that started from small beginnings.
He led the Temptations’ 1967 classic hit, “I Wish It Would Rain.” His mighty and magnificent sound captivated audiences and attention around the world.
That big voice was 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡ed out of Whynot, Mississippi — a small town — in 1941, just a few miles from Meridian.
“There is still great love for David Ruffin,” Stanley Wright with the Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience in Meridian said.
He shares the story of Ruffin’s life with fans who visit.
“His mom died about 10 months after he was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧… complications from the pregnancy with David,” Wright said. “His father married another lady and took the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren and turned them into a gospel group.”
Gospel Music became the foundation on which Ruffin and his family built their careers.
“I was just told the story about how they would ride their bikes from Whynot all the way into Meridian to sing at various churches and just tear the church up, of course, with the voices,” said relative Belinda Crowell. “David’s voice, that unmistakable voice.”
His gift led him to bigger opportunities. His electrifying voice made him stand out in the South, but he knew that wasn’t his last stop on the road to success. He ended up packing up and heading to Detroit, Michigan.
“He kind of followed the footsteps of his older brother. He was a part of the Motown Review. His brother introduced him to the Temptations, and in January 1964, he became a Temptation.
Becoming a member of the famous Motown family played an important role in the racial integration of popular music. The African-American-owned label soon achieved crossover success.
It didn’t take long for the Temptations and Ruffin to start belting out hits such as “My Girl.” The song climbed to the top of the U.S. pop charts, making it the first number 1 hit for Temptations. The follow-ups to “My Girl” were also extremely successful. Since I Lost My Baby” in 1965 and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” a year later are just a few examples.
“I know you wanna leave me, but I refuse to let you go. I think that is one of the most, one of the best introductions of all time,” said Cedric Ruffin.
Another well-known hit that may sound familiar is The Temptations’ release of “Get Ready” in 1966. Jackson State’s Sonic Boom Marching Band has taken on the hit as their theme song.
Although Ruffin and the Temptations were on top in the musical world and considered one of the best black groups of their time, they still faced racial discrimination that plagued the country during the 60′s.
“There were a lot of places you could not go as an African American, but these singers, like David Ruffin, the Temptations, all of these guys, all of these women, they stuck to what they knew, and they were not going to be defeated, and they weren’t going to be held down,” Wright said.
Ruffin’s stardom and success with the band ended on a sour note. His battle with drugs and negative relationships with his bandmates led to him being kicked out of the group.
He eventually left Motown Records for a solo career. In 1982, Ruffin rejoined the Temptations for their reunion tour and album.
Wright said, “The Temptations have been an important part of his journey, his life journey, and I think before he passed away, he wanted to reunite with these guys.”
In 1991, David Ruffin died from a drug overdose. He was 50 years old. Ruffin’s journey as a young black boy from a small Mississippi town ended with national recognition for his music.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 for his work with the Temptations, and he was ranked as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine in 2008 and again in 2023.
Here in his home state, a gold star adorns the sidewalk, a mural has been created, and a street named after him in Meridian.
“The impact of David Ruffin… if this guy came from mere means as he did, go through life struggles, but still manages to become this icon, then he’s a wonderful example for so many other people.”
