In Mr. Gordy's book, he stated that "David Ruffin was going to be a big star"!!!! Maybe, that is where, Mr. Ruffin got the notion that "nobody is coming to see you Otis". Did Mr. Gordy planted the "seed of discontent" with the Temptations????
In Mr. Gordy's book, he stated that "David Ruffin was going to be a big star"!!!! Maybe, that is where, Mr. Ruffin got the notion that "nobody is coming to see you Otis". Did Mr. Gordy planted the "seed of discontent" with the Temptations????
No,i think that david's ego was pretty big before berry wrote anything..some may not know that david and melvin were cousins,and when he wanted to join the temps blue told him that it wouldn't work because he was a solo artist and the temps were serious about singing together.
Melvin was related to everybody....Including Rick James!!!LOL!!!
I wish David had become a big star. He definitely had the voice to.
I will agree. David did not need any ego boosting from Mr. Gordy. He already believed he was the greatest even before he had a big hit record! The way he performed with the Temptations [[throwing up the mic, catching it and then falling down into a split), is the way he was already performing as a solo artist before joining the Temptations.
I have never understood why the magnificent David Ruffin was blasted for his ego when Diana Ross was treated the way she was. [[Well ok she was with Berry but Ruffin was sooooo talented and yet not given half the breaks).
Ruff had the swagger of a solo star. He started off solo before he decided he wanted to join the Temptations. I'm guessing a good half thought the Tempts would be a great springboard on him but the other half really wanted to stay with them because of the family environment they brought to the table, an "us against them" mentality.
I think from the way Berry said that David "could've been a star", he was bringing up Ruff's personal problems [[his cocaine habit was already wrecking opportunities for him) and refusing to show up to concerts because he wanted to get intoxicated played a lot into why his career never became really hot after he left the Temptations.
Yeah I think that's it midnight. David was probably seen as unreliable, a liability. Such a shame, because he had the voice and the [[ahem) confidence to be a solo star IMO.
Diana was unique is that she really was one of [[if not the) most versatile performer at motown. her ability to handle an astonishing array of musical styles is what set her apart. plus she was and still is an fantastic stage performer.
these qualities perfectly matched her with Berry's goal of crossover, mainstream success. he wanted to take a star into the worlds of tv, movies, las vegas, etc. He was looking for a dynamic star that could be mistress of ceremonies for Hollywood. And he's been quoted in multiple books of saying that he'd rather work with a female star or group because they'll have an easier time of crossing over to white audiences as they're seen as less threatening.
now none of this is saying the David's talents were lacking or that his stage performance wasn't good. on the contrary - he's an amazing talent. but his expertise really fell outside of Berry's extra focused viewpoint that i listed above. David would have been a mega star had motown been willing to simultaneously develop talent in another genre, such as the r&b world that Atlantic and other labels really hit upon in the late 60s and early 70s.
Levi is real close. Levi is also one of my favorite vocalist. And I will say Levi’s voice is stronger than Ruffin. But overall vocal range Ruffin has got him. Ruffin has a powerful voice. But he can sing in a smoth tenor like“My Girl” or “Since I Lost My Baby.” He sang a song completely in falsetto range “Youll Lose A Precious Love.” A lot of people haven’t heard Ruffins solo material. That’s where you really see what he can do. Ruffin can hit those gospel scream notes. He can hit those screams and talk at the same time. And his falsetto is magnificent. He hits the bird note. The female register note. Not too many male singers can hit the bird not. Especially with a naturally raspy voice. Ruffin just had so many vocal weapons. No other singer on Motown is on his level. Very few are on his level period.
https://youtu.be/LvtkabCstTc
Blackmail. Listen to the whole song. Scroll to 3:19 and 3:28. He actually screams and sings the words “Blackmail” at the same time. Ultimate technique. Ruffin is just the greatest.
it's amazing how many amazing vocalists there were in Detroit at the time. I do love levi and the tops. i just happen to listen to them more than the temps. need to do more exploration of the Temps catalog. it might be that i tire just a little of the falsetto singing of Eddie, although i absolutely admit he was immensely talented and a great falsetto voice.
I'm sorry but Levi WISHES he could sing like David. Levi is indeed one of the greatest singers of all time, but David hits notes that you wouldn't expect. One of the few male vocalists who could actually sing high notes and HOLD IT [[case in point the "My Girl" performance with Eddie at D.C. in '72).
Just imagine if his solo career had taken off, he'd be seen as one of the GREATEST. In terms of greatest male Motown vocalists, he and Marvin would go toe to toe for me. Such a shame David never became a superstar. A doggone shame.
Well, Melvin said he and Richard Street were cousins. In high school Melvin wanted to date Mary Wilson and Richard did date Diane Ross. I went to high school with Richard Street's cousins. Melvin and Rick James said that they were related and that Melvin was Rick's uncle. That's what they said.........!
Levi Stubbs was the best male singer Motown ever had!
Not that this is my source for Melvin Franklin and Richard Street being cousins because I had heard that from both of them before the internet was invented:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Street
I'm just curious...You going to school with Richard Street"s cousins...what does that mean??? from what I have gathered, you were a "schooler" around 1968-70? Richard street did not get into the temps until 72!!!!LOL!!
they had totally different approaches to music and singing and so to directly compare them is not only challenging but frankly overlooks key attributes that make each great.
There's no need to compare them. A discussion of David Ruffin's talent shouldn't involve discussion of anyone else's talent. All of those men, Marvin and Dennis being included, were great in their own right, using what God gave them and using it the way they artistically thought best. For me no male voice comes close to Marvin in the way that it affects me, but Marvin is Marvin just like David is David. Personally I wouldn't begin to know how to compare them except in the most simplest of ways and that's by stating that vocally David doesn't do for me what Marvin does for me. But I wouldn't be able to quantify what makes one "better" than the other. They were all effective, legendary voices.
And yeah, that super group would've been too much to handle. Levi probably would've been the least likely to have an ego issue, but Marvin, David and Dennis in the same group? I give it a year, tops. And I'm being generous with that. LOL
Haha yeah that's true. And I'll refrain from it from now on in this post.
But yeah Levi was mellow. Marvin, David & Dennis would probably have to fight it out.
That was on thing about Motown, Detroit, etc and whatever and that was no matter how good you thought you were, they could always go right out and find another singer just as good or better. You saw what happened with the Supremes in 1969-70. In terms of just pure singing talent, just about anyone you can mention had someone out there that sang just as good. Hello JJ Barnes, where are you tonight bro? LOL!
I have to do this. Big fan of Levi and Marvin. But Ruffin’s vocal range just leaps above theirs. I’ll give one song.
https://youtu.be/FNhOUTmO0Yo
Listen to this honestly and tell me another Motown artist that can touch Ruffins vocal range. Honestly. Listen to the entire song.
You prefer Ruffin, nothing wrong with that. He's great and he kills "World of Darkness", but I think both Marvin and Levi could've sang the same song and been just as effective. For my taste I'd rather hear Marvin and Levi sing it than David, but it's a personal preference. David definitely possessed a gift from God, but so did the other men. None of them are any better than the other, they're just each somebody else's favorite.
He really did have an incredible range. So many great vocal performances to choose from, both as a Tempt and a solo. Some of his Warner Bros material is so underrated. I am partial to his work as a Tempt though. "Since I Lost My Baby", "I Know I'm Losing You", "Say You", "That'll Be the Day", some of my favorite David moments as a Tempt. "Common Man", "Statue of a Fool", "Just Let Me Hold You", "A Day In the Life of a Working Man", some of my fav David solo moments. The man was a force.
Having seen both the Temptations and the Tops live when in their prime [[no pun intended), I'd give the edge to Levi Stubbs over David Ruffin when it came to concert performances.
I have been looking, but unable to find one photo of David ruffin & Mr. Gordy, together..please post if found!!
It is almost certain Berry was at the Ed Sullivan taping of Diana and Temps performance. I would think there are pix of Berry with everyone.
I have tried but can't find any either. I would like to think there must be one, somewhere, but its just not on the internet.
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