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Post by rufferino on Oct 29, 2012 20:25:40 GMT -5
dc, It could be that the right backing has not come along, or it could be other things. It is not that easy to write a book (e.g. Genna's book). I'm sure there's more to the story than we know. But I feel strongly that we, and the family, should not let the past bad press discourage anyone from telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth....which in DR's case includes many many stories of love and goodness. Tony Turner hinted at some of those things in his book. Anyway, I remain hopeful.
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Post by citystars on Oct 30, 2012 8:08:22 GMT -5
Rufferino,
You could be right about the money issue. I re-played the pre-Unsung interview David Washington did with the family, and it seems they do intend to produce some type of David Ruffin project. However, they didn't state any specifics about the tiimeline or the format. A fan from Atlanta called into the show to offer her assistance with fundraising.
I also don't want the family to be discouraged by the past bad press. Negative rumors and/or stories certainly did not stop Rory Kennedy (RFK Jr's daughter) from doing an excellent and informative documentary about her mother titled Ethel. As a matter of fact, Rory did not address any of the negative stories surrounding her father RFK Jr. and to me, that approach actually made the film more interesting.
If the Ruffin family ever decides to pursue a 'David Ruffin' project they may need guidance. Perhaps this is where someone like Bettye LaVette could be helpful since she has already worked on telling her own story and was a friend of David's.
Citystars
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Post by rufferino on Oct 30, 2012 9:43:13 GMT -5
Agree with all you said citystars, and I would like to offer the following idea if any of the family happens to read this, and that is the "crowdfunding" idea. There are a number of websites out there that allow the user to post their idea and pitch for their project, and then people in cyberspace can donate through paypal or whatever is the option for payment. People get medical treatment, make films, write books, all kinds of things. In another post I will list some of the sites.
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novah
Junior Ruffian
My 2nd profile. A proud member since 2007.
Posts: 93
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Post by novah on Nov 3, 2012 21:51:48 GMT -5
I bet part of the reason for no reliable book is that some memories are just too painful. Imagine David was your brother or ex-husband or father. The good times might be easy to talk about, but I'm sure the painful scars from seeing him hurt himself repeatedly is not something his loved ones are anxious to reopen
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Post by rufferino on Nov 4, 2012 21:05:02 GMT -5
Yes, we need to be sensitive to the family. The thing is, I just feel that the good times and happy stories have not been talked about publicly enough. Personally, I would be perfectly satisfied with a book of anecdotes about happy times and funny stories, as well as insight into the good sides of DR. The other side has been chronicled enough. I don't need to read about it again.
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Post by citystars on Nov 5, 2012 7:26:50 GMT -5
DC/Rufferino, Well said. I would prefer a book about the positive side of DR too. Who says a David Ruffin project has to focus on the negative? Rory Kennedy certainly did not take that approach when she interviewed her mother Ethel Kennedy and the documentary she produced titled Ethel was still compelling. The Post-Gazette wrote a story titled T emptations' Battle: Whose Life is in anyway? Ruffin's family battles to stop Temptations film where there is mention of a David Ruffin biography project. Here's the link: old.post-gazette.com/magazine/19980825temptations2.aspCitystars
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novah
Junior Ruffian
My 2nd profile. A proud member since 2007.
Posts: 93
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Post by novah on Nov 5, 2012 16:47:50 GMT -5
To me, a book that fails to acknowledge the negative aspects of David's life would be just as inaccurate as the negative stuff out there now that doesn't include very many positive aspects of David's life. I would like to see a balanced book. I would especially like to know more about David's childhood and young adult life experiences. I don't think the bad stuff has to be the "focus" of the book, though. I never said that.
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Post by rufferino on Nov 5, 2012 17:26:49 GMT -5
I agree Novah. For me the most important thing compassion. So a book can be "balanced" that is describing good and bad times, without showing compassion, so to me that is not truly balanced. There has been so much criticism of DR; that is why I would be fine with a positive book. In the bigger picture, that would help with balance, don't you think? However, if it's accuracy we're going for, then yes, it would have to have a sensitive look at the painful issues in DR's life. It would take a great deal of skill for someone to handle that well, which is why, as a first step, I would be just fine with a more light-hearted approach. Then maybe later a more in-depth look. That's just me.
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Post by citystars on Nov 5, 2012 20:03:57 GMT -5
Novah,
I did not say that you said David's story had to focus on the negative. The point I was trying to make with the Rory Kennedy analogy is that a David Ruffin story does not have to contain the negative aspects of David’s life unless the author wants it to. I like that Rory Kennedy chose to tell her mother's story in a positive way and did not focus on RFK's 'bad' side like for example, his alleged extramarital affairs.
The person who tells the story controls the message. The newspaper article clearly shows shows David’s family was unhappy with his negative portrayal in the Temptations movie because it was based on one man's opinion and that opinion just happened to conveniently focus on the 'bad' side of David's life.
If the Ruffin family(David's daughters and his ex-wife) ever decides to tell his story, then yes I absolutely do want them to continue to tell it in a positive way just like they did on the 20 Grand Show with David Washington and Unsung. I want his daughters to continue to hold their father in high regard, protect his legacy, talk about him in a loving way, and when necessary fight for his positive portrayal.
I am out of this thread.
Citystars
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novah
Junior Ruffian
My 2nd profile. A proud member since 2007.
Posts: 93
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Post by novah on Nov 6, 2012 15:05:51 GMT -5
At least we can all agree we would like to see at least one good David Ruffin book, one with class and respect for David I think this sums up everyone's feelings in a nutshell. I'm guessing the more people involved in such a project, the more ideas for how the book should be written and what should or shouldn't be included. I hope everything works out and we fans get to have the book we've been waiting for.
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Post by rufferino on Nov 6, 2012 23:26:02 GMT -5
Amen Novah.
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Post by rufferino on Nov 7, 2012 16:26:19 GMT -5
I do want to comment on one thing citystars mentions about the David Ruffin project that his family alludes to in the article, and that is that in the article, the family thinks that the Temptations miniseries might dilute interest in David Ruffin, and I have to say I wholeheartedly disagree!! That miniseries has generated more interest in the Temptations, and David Ruffin in particular, than anything else I can think of in recent years! It was that miniseries that got ME interested in David Ruffin! I happened to catch it on TV one night a few years ago, and then I became interested in seeing what the real group was like, so I bought the Temptations 1965-1972 definitive performances DVD, and WHAM! I was so taken with DR that I started googling everything I could about him and ended up here on the board. He is so charismatic and talented, he steals the spotlight every time. The only other one who can even begin to compete is Eddie. So I hope the family can take some comfort in knowing this, even though the miniseries was so one-sided. It probably created a whole new generation of DR fans. Family members, PLEASE write the book! We would love to hear other things about DR besides what has been written already ad nauseum.
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novah
Junior Ruffian
My 2nd profile. A proud member since 2007.
Posts: 93
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Post by novah on Nov 7, 2012 19:01:49 GMT -5
You're right. The miniseries is how I discovered David. I had no idea who he was before that. I was already a big Leon fan, and I just had to find out more about the person he was portraying. I immediately fell madly in love with David's voice and have been ever since. If some people behind that project were trying to throw dirt on David's image, they failed miserably. I accept the man and the music, warts and all.
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Post by rufferino on Nov 7, 2012 20:09:50 GMT -5
Yes, I do too, and I think showing other sides of DR would help a lot more people to be more forgiving. Look what happened with Genna, for example. Isn't it amazing how someone's spirit can shine through the mud?
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Post by wyldeflower on Nov 25, 2012 12:49:08 GMT -5
I think if a book was written then his brother Jimmy should also be included in the writing of it.As he has known him all his life so he knows the real David.. Maybe the family just want to let him rest in peace everyone deserves peace at some point.. David is a legend no doubt about it he is my number 1 singer and i do think he often got dealt a cruel blow in life but no matter what life threw at him he was so talented that no one could ever take that away..When you are famouse you get so many hangers on all with storys to tell to get their 5 minutes of fame and i feel David deserves better than that.
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