David Ruffin

Birth Name:

Davis Eli Ruffin

Birth Date:

January 18, 1941

Birth Place:

Whynot, Mississippi

Death Date:

June 1, 1991

Place of Death:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,

Age:

Cause of Death:

Drug overdose - crack cocaine

Cemetery Name:

Woodlawn Cemetery

Claim to Fame:

Music

David Ruffin is an American soul singer and musician most famous for his work as one of the original members and lead singers of the Temptations from 1964 - 1968. His vocals can be heard on the legendary Motown hits My Girl, Ain't Too Proud to Beg and I Could Never Love Another before Ruffin's drug use and massive ego caused the band to fire him. As a solo artist, Ruffin found occasional success, but he experienced a hard road, dying of a cocaine overdose two years after he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Fun Fact:

In addition to his drug use, the other main reason he was fired from the Temptations was he demanded the group change their name to David Ruffin and the Temptations.

Did you also know that David Ruffin is the younger brother of soul singer extraordinaire Jimmy Ruffin? Yes, yes he is.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Woodlawn Cemetery

19975 Woodward Avenue

Detroit, Michigan, 48203

USA

North America

Map:

Grave Location:

Section 3, Lot 243, Grave #3

Grave Location Description

As you enter the cemetery, turn left before the office and drive around the back of the office building. David Ruffin’s large, flat monument is about 20 feet off the road on the right-hand side directly in front of the black Teamer/Smith monument.