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View Full Version : The passing of a true icon: RIP Jimmy Ruffin



Kent A Bathurst
11-19-2014, 5:14 PM
While primarily known for just one song, that one song was a seminal event in the legend of Motown: What Becomes of the Broken-hearted? [His younger brother David was one of The Temptations].

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQU4sIn96M4

And it is a teriffic segue to this bit [sorry about the hyperbole - it is warranted here, IMO]:

The unheralded back-up musicians for a staggering number of Motown hits called themselves The Funk Brothers. More than one of these astonishingly talented musicians are credited by a stunning list of big name - BIG name - performers as being a major influence.

Berry Gordy's factory cranked out song after song after song, and got any number of singers to perform - many incredibly talented, but still - part of the factory. And all the while, the Funk Brothers were there, driving the unmistakable Motown Sound.

If you have ever found yourself humming even one snippet of one Motown hit, or singing along with one on the Oldies station, or dancing in your seat when you are watching The Big Chill, or........well, you get the point...........you need to see the 2002 documentary Standing in the Shadow of Motown.

You will find youself almost wanting to stand up and cheer these guys. There is not a single wasted minute.

My favorite musical bit from that documentary: Joan Osborne fronting The Funk Brothers in a re-orchestrated version of the same song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA0GcXV2njY

Rest in Peace, Mr. Ruffin. You were unsurpassed.

Jim Matthews
11-19-2014, 5:23 PM
My personal favorite in the genre:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auGUm2r0cLs

Second runner up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWyUJcA8Zfo

My favorite from Jimmy Ruffin, "96 Tears".

The World is less for his passing, but his legacy will live.
That can be said of few.

Ken Fitzgerald
11-19-2014, 5:39 PM
That period of music was an incredible era!

RIP Mr. Ruffin!

Ken Fitzgerald
11-19-2014, 5:40 PM
And Joan Osborne? Talk about being vocally seduced! Incredible talent IMO.

Mike Henderson
11-19-2014, 8:19 PM
If you ever get a chance to see the movie "The Wrecking Crew" - which is about the backup musicians in Hollywood during the heyday of pop music - grab it. Here's a link (http://www.wreckingcrewfilm.com/index.php) to the web site. I had a chance to see it at a screening in LA.

Glen Campbell was one of the wrecking crew before he became a solo singer.

They were called "the wrecking crew" because other musicians said that they were wrecking popular music. In reality, they were on the leading edge of the new wave of popular music.

I don't know if you can find the movie on the web, or where you could buy a DVD of it.

Mike

Keith Outten
11-19-2014, 8:38 PM
His brother was David Ruffin who was an original member of The Temptations.

Ken Fitzgerald
11-19-2014, 10:29 PM
I have a bit of music by the Temptations too!

Kent A Bathurst
11-19-2014, 10:54 PM
I have a bit of music by the Temptations too!

You have, or certainly know, many dozens of songs with the Funk Brothers on them.

Ken Fitzgerald
11-19-2014, 11:26 PM
Yes....I was just watching "Standing in the Shadows of Motown". Excellent movie and music. I am truly in awe of those musicians!

Paul McGaha
11-20-2014, 8:43 AM
Some pictures of the Hitsville studio:

https://www.google.com/search?q=hitsville&espv=2&biw=1536&bih=772&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=U-1tVM_AIY6ryASq3IHgAw&ved=0CEQQsAQ#imgdii=_