Quincy B and Jimmy Ruffin, David Ruffin Brothers, The Family’s Secrets

Quincy B and Jimmy Ruffin, David Ruffin Brothers, The Family’s Secrets

David Ruffin (also known as David Eli Ruffin) was a well-known American soul singer. His ancestors have been discovered.

Ruffin was one of the lead vocalists for the American band the Temptations and was recognized for his unusual raspy, tormented tenor voice. Some of the bands he voiced had hit singles such as “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and “My Girl.”

Rolling Stone magazine rated David among the 100th “Greatest Singers of All Time” in 2008. Similarly, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 for his significant impact to American soul music with the Temptations.

Who Are David Ruffin’s Brothers And Sisters?

David Ruffin has two brothers, Quincy B and Jimmy Ruffin, as well as two sisters, Reada Mae and Rosine.

Ruffin was born in the isolated town of Whynot, Mississippi. It is an unorganized rural territory with no local governmental entities. Davis Eli Ruffin was born on January 18, 1941, to Baptist minister Elias “Eli” Ruffin (father) and Ophelia Ruffin (mother).

His grandfather, John Ruffin, was a Civil War veteran who moved to Alabama with her grandmother, Clara Ruffin, from Bertie County, North Carolina. David’s parents later relocated from Alabama to Mississippi.

David was Elias and Ophelia’s third child. His elder brother Quincy B. Ruffin was born on July 22, 1929, and died on October 10, 2015, at the age of 86. He was known by various titles, including scholar, father, gentleman, author, military hero, and God’s child.

To be honest, Quincy’s adult life was not much different from his childhood, but he did not let all of those horrible experiences stop him. Instead, he has accomplished much and lived his life to the fullest.

Jimmy Ruffin was David Ruffin’s other older brother. Jimmy, like David, was an American soul artist who had multiple singles between the late 1960s and the early 1980s.

Jimmy Ruffin was born on May 7, 1936, and his most hit singles were “Hold On To My Love” (1980) and “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” (1981). (1966). Jimmy passed away in November 2014, at the age of 78, at Las Vegas Hospital.

David Ruffin’s Wife and Children

David Ruffin married twice and had four children. Sandra Barnes was his first wife, and he later married Joy Hamilton in 1976.

David has been involved with so many women during his life that it is difficult to keep track of them all. He had three children with Sandra: Cheryl, Nedra, and Kimberly. In May 2021, his daughter Nedra died of Covid-19. He met Genna Sapia in 1964, with whom he had a son, David Eli Ruffin, Jr.

Later, in 1966, David began seeing Tammi Terrell, but when she discovered that David was already married, she ended their relationship. As his drug addiction worsened, David became increasingly disrespectful and belligerent toward Terrell. Terrell ended their relationship when Ruffin hit her in the head with his motorcycle helmet in 1967.

David was also notorious for his aggressive behavior and deplorable treatment of women. “A Memoir: David Ruffin—My Temptation,” written by Genna Sapia, portrays Ruffin’s infidelity and aggressive behavior.

Did David Ruffin Really Steal The Mic At The Temptations Concerts In 1968?

After being fired from the Temptations, David stole Dennis Edwards’ microphone during a concert in 1968.

David found it difficult to deal with Temptations because he began to make unneeded changes in his favor. The conflict between the two groups reached a climax in 1968. David was sacked from the band on June 27 of that year.

Dennis Edwards, a former Contours member, took his position. Dennis has maintained a positive relationship with both the band and David. So, at initially, Davis was enthusiastic about his replacement and personally encouraged Dennis.

When the band began performing Ruffin-era hit tunes, David became enraged, stormed onto the stage, and took the mic from Dennis’s grasp.