Jimmy Ruffin, Motown legend, dead at 78

Jimmy Ruffin, legendary Motown singer who had hits with "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" and "Hold On (To My Love)", died on Monday (November 17) in a Las Vegas hospital. He was 78. No details have been given about the cause of death.

Ruffin was the older brother of late Temptations lead singer David Ruffin; he was born in Collinsville, Mississippi in 1936. Via Motown he released the Top 10 hit "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" in 1966. By 1970 he had hits with "I've Passed This Way Before", "Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got", "Don't You Miss Me A Little Bit Baby" and "I'll Say Forever My Love". His last hit for a decade was "Maria (You Were the Only One)", in 1970.
He then returned to the music scene in 1980 with "Hold On (To My Love)" reaching n. 10 on the Hot 100 chart. The song was co-written with Bee Gees' Robin Gibb with songwriter and keyboardist Blue Weaver; also they both co-produced the singer's final record, "Sunrise".

Ruffin lived in England for several years and in 1984, he collaborated with Paul Weller's post-Jam band the Style Council for the song "Soul Deep". He also recorded with the British pop group Heaven 17, while in the Nineties he hosted a radio show in the UK.

He relocated to Las Vegas after 2010 and was reportedly writing new music.