Post by Queenie on May 4, 2004 9:00:15 GMT -5
DR: observing DER' moves it was an old moment DER was joining the Tempt Renunion Tour after 14 years. He was ambivalent about the venture. He wore his trademake glasses, a pair fiorucci jeans and white t-shirt. Everytime the phone ranged he answering DR was sensing DER was living serveral lives at the same time.
DER: I think I've been misunderstood. The public thinks he joined Tempts to launch a solo career. In reality he loves group especially gospel groups. I was with the Dixie Nightingales. I toured when I was a kid. That's when I heard Aretha, who opened for her father, and Mavis, who sang with her dad. I moved to Detroit when I was a teenager 13, or 14, when Detroit was a hotbed for gospel acts. Della Reese was with the Meditation Singers. Groups where happening. Then Sam Cooke did what he did, and the world's never been the same.
DR Who were your major influences? Some people in the industries say Sam Cooke influences your dance routines.
DER In my early years, I was impressed by Sam Cooke Cooke left the gospel Soul Stirrers and scored with the secular "You Send Me." Sam was a lifestyle influence. He was the one who made the movje and showed us it was cool to sing rock n' roll. But vocally, Sam could do things I can't. When the tempts approach me I was a seasoned performer.
DR And your Stage persona??
DERSome writer said I got the technique of flipping and catching the mike from Jackie Wilson. They say that's where I got my stage personality, dropping to my knees and doing splits. But good as Jackie was and Jackie is a superstar... Jackie got it from the same place I got it from gospel groups.
DR: Question: The Glory Days with Tempts
DER: Man, things were chaotic, I mean, that's my memory. I was tight with Otis back when Otis was looking to replace Al Bryant. Before that Gwen Gordy. Barry started Motown had me on Anna Records, and nothing happened. So I was looking for something anything. It was nevery my intention to be a group-man forever.
DR: My Girl is a haunting symbol of the Ruffin/Temptations duality. But when it hit, it was the Temptations, not David Ruffin, who became a household name does that bother you??
DER: HELL YES!! I was happy for the fellows. Damn happy. We were touring and headlining, we were stepping in style. All sweet, all cool. But I'd hear Smokey, and I'd hear Marvin, and I'd think why not Ruffin.
DR And your Solo Work? In 1969, after series of legal moves against Motown you make peace with the company and recorded "My Whole World Ended" I was convinced your career was going to skyrocket like Smokey, Stevie, and Marvin because you were on fire.
DER I admit I was going through some personal changes You can say I have not gotten with the right producer. However, Van McCoy was the smoking gun "Walk Away From Love" I thought I was off in orbit after "Walk Away from Love" But you know, the way the world isn't always what you think".
DR In 1979, David left Motown for Warner Brothers recorded two spiritual CDs. There were midst hits. In 1982, David is reunited with the group who first bought him fame any bitterness.
DER No man,,, I've reached a point where I'm practical. Doing what I can. The tempts are cool. Always were, always will be. Fans will always want me to sing 'My Girl' plus I have some segment where I will be performing my own stuff.
The True Essence of David E. Ruffin
DER: I think I've been misunderstood. The public thinks he joined Tempts to launch a solo career. In reality he loves group especially gospel groups. I was with the Dixie Nightingales. I toured when I was a kid. That's when I heard Aretha, who opened for her father, and Mavis, who sang with her dad. I moved to Detroit when I was a teenager 13, or 14, when Detroit was a hotbed for gospel acts. Della Reese was with the Meditation Singers. Groups where happening. Then Sam Cooke did what he did, and the world's never been the same.
DR Who were your major influences? Some people in the industries say Sam Cooke influences your dance routines.
DER In my early years, I was impressed by Sam Cooke Cooke left the gospel Soul Stirrers and scored with the secular "You Send Me." Sam was a lifestyle influence. He was the one who made the movje and showed us it was cool to sing rock n' roll. But vocally, Sam could do things I can't. When the tempts approach me I was a seasoned performer.
DR And your Stage persona??
DERSome writer said I got the technique of flipping and catching the mike from Jackie Wilson. They say that's where I got my stage personality, dropping to my knees and doing splits. But good as Jackie was and Jackie is a superstar... Jackie got it from the same place I got it from gospel groups.
DR: Question: The Glory Days with Tempts
DER: Man, things were chaotic, I mean, that's my memory. I was tight with Otis back when Otis was looking to replace Al Bryant. Before that Gwen Gordy. Barry started Motown had me on Anna Records, and nothing happened. So I was looking for something anything. It was nevery my intention to be a group-man forever.
DR: My Girl is a haunting symbol of the Ruffin/Temptations duality. But when it hit, it was the Temptations, not David Ruffin, who became a household name does that bother you??
DER: HELL YES!! I was happy for the fellows. Damn happy. We were touring and headlining, we were stepping in style. All sweet, all cool. But I'd hear Smokey, and I'd hear Marvin, and I'd think why not Ruffin.
DR And your Solo Work? In 1969, after series of legal moves against Motown you make peace with the company and recorded "My Whole World Ended" I was convinced your career was going to skyrocket like Smokey, Stevie, and Marvin because you were on fire.
DER I admit I was going through some personal changes You can say I have not gotten with the right producer. However, Van McCoy was the smoking gun "Walk Away From Love" I thought I was off in orbit after "Walk Away from Love" But you know, the way the world isn't always what you think".
DR In 1979, David left Motown for Warner Brothers recorded two spiritual CDs. There were midst hits. In 1982, David is reunited with the group who first bought him fame any bitterness.
DER No man,,, I've reached a point where I'm practical. Doing what I can. The tempts are cool. Always were, always will be. Fans will always want me to sing 'My Girl' plus I have some segment where I will be performing my own stuff.
The True Essence of David E. Ruffin