Jimmy Ruffin Dead At 78, Was ‘Gravely Ill’ During Recent Hospital Stay

Singer Jimmy Ruffin died on Monday in Las Vegas, according to a report confirmed by USA Today.

The crooner has been credited as being a staple for Motown Records for decades.

Noise 11 reported that Jimmy Ruffin “was gravely ill” in the intensive care unit of a Las Vegas hospital in October.

Jimmy Ruffin became known as a Motown legend back in 1966 with his hit song, “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.”

One of the most impressive parts about that particular song was its overall staying power when it came to its chart performance.

“What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” reportedly reached the Top 10 on the charts for the second time along with another hit from Jimmy Ruffin, “Hold On To My Love” in 1980 – more than a decade after it was first released. The song is still viewed by many fans and critics today as a timeless classic.

According to Song Facts, “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” was not originally written for Jimmy Ruffin at all. It was actually written by several Motown writers (including Jimmy Dean and Paul Riser) for The Detroit Spinners.

However, Jimmy Ruffin was able to successfully convince them to allow him to give the song a try. Clearly they loved what they heard, and it became one of the biggest hits of Jimmy’s career.

Many people do not know that another Motown legend, Smokey Robinson, produced the song as he did for many other Motown classics recorded by other artists on the label.

Being a talented, chart-topping singer must have been genetic for Jimmy Ruffin because his little brother, David, was able to do the same thing as the lead singer of The Temptations. David Ruffin even became a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee in 1989.

TMZ reports that Jimmy Ruffin’s death was confirmed by his two kids, Philicia and Jimmy Lee.

[Image Credit: VGC & My Gold Music]