Part 2 in our 2 part series on the overlooked sibling. Being Aretha's little sister was tough. But it was not much easier to be David Ruffin's older brother.
David Ruffin was not only one of the greatest of all Motown and soul singers (the guy sang "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" for goodness sakes), but David was a larger than life figure. David Ruffin cut a very wide swath in Detroit as Motown's first rock star, a legendary ladies man and party boy.
But quieter older brother Jimmy Ruffin cut for my money one of the greatest Motown singles, "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted". A perfect song with a tremendously effective and heartfelt vocal.
This classic has been recorded by many, but my favorite cover is Joan Osborne's; though not even a singer of her obvious gifts can top the original. But this is a great rendition from the must see documentary film "Standing in the Shadows of Motown", backing by an all star cast of the Funk Brothers, the original Motown session musicians.
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