Jimmy Ruffin Death and Cause of Death
Jimmy Ruffin, the Motown vocalist known for the hit "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted," died on November 17, 2014, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 78. His death was attributed to complications from a long-term illness, with public records and family statements confirming that he had been in declining health in the years prior. The official cause of death was not widely disclosed in detail, but reports noted that he had suffered from diabetes and other age-related conditions that contributed to his passing. His death was confirmed by family members and Motown representatives, who honored his contributions to soul music. For more background on his career and influence, see the Motown Museum overview at https://www.motownmuseum.org/ and the Jimmy Ruffin profile at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Ruffin.
Jimmy Ruffin's death marked the end of a career that spanned several decades and left a lasting impact on the Motown sound. He was the older brother of David Ruffin, lead singer of The Temptations, and his solo work helped define the emotional depth of 1960s soul music. His most successful single, "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted," reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains a classic of the genre. Despite health challenges in later life, he continued to perform and connect with fans until his final years. Additional details on his discography and chart performance can be found at https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jimmy-ruffin-mn0000652005/biography.
Jimmy Ruffin Career Highlights and Net Worth
Jimmy Ruffin's career began in the early 1960s when he signed with Motown Records, and his biggest commercial success came with the 1966 release of "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted," which peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. He followed this with other charting singles such as "I've Passed This Way Before" and "Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got," establishing himself as a solo artist distinct from his brother David Ruffin. His recordings were produced under the Motown label, which was founded by Berry Gordy and later became a major force in American popular music. For more on Motown's history and Ruffin's place in it, see https://www.forbes.com/sites/entertainment/2021/01/19/motown-records-history/ and https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jimmy-ruffin-dead-at-78-9553878/. His estimated net worth at the time of his death was reported to be modest compared to some of his Motown peers, reflecting the common financial challenges faced by many classic soul artists.
Throughout his career, Jimmy Ruffin released several albums and singles that charted on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B charts, with his work continuing to receive airplay on classic soul and oldies radio formats. He was recognized as a key figure in the Motown legacy, and his music has been covered and sampled by later artists across genres. His influence is often cited in discussions of the golden age of soul, and his recordings remain a touchstone for fans of 1960s R&B. Further career details and chart history are available at https://www.discogs.com/artist/115630-Jimmy-Ruffin and https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jimmy-ruffin-mn0000652005.
Jimmy Ruffin Legacy and Personal Life
Jimmy Ruffin's legacy endures through his music, which continues to be played on radio, featured in