Remembering David Ruffin: Motown Legend Who Died from Overdose 35 Years Ago

Monday marks the 35th anniversary of the death of one of Motown's greatest performers: David Ruffin of The Temptations.

Ruffin passed away from a drug overdose on June 1, 1991 at the age of 50. More than three decades later, the Mississippi-born singer is remembered for a storied career as well as the personal demons that led to his early demise.

An all-time soul legend

During his run as The Temptations' primary vocalist, Ruffin led the way on hits such as 1965's "My Girl," the group's first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 and one of the greatest love songs of all time. That same year, he was the lead singer on two more hits, "Since I Lost My Baby" and "My Baby," and went on to serve the same role on "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep," "(I Know) I'm Losing You," and "I Wish It Would Rain," among other works.

However, during his time with The Temptations from 1964-68, Ruffin's issues with drugs began to surface, ultimately leading to his departure from the group. While he would go on to have solo success, scoring multiple top 10 hits, Ruffin would not be able to overcome the problems that plagued him throughout his life.

A tragic end

On June 1, 1991, Ruffin, who had faced a slew of drug and legal issues over the years, was found passed out in a crack house in West Philadelphia, according to authorities.

A friend drove Ruffin to the hospital, but doctors were unable to revive him and he was eventually declared dead of a cocaine overdose. Ruffin's death was ruled an accident.

"He walked in the line of fire," Ruffin's then-girlfriend Dianne Showers said at the time. "I asked his ex-wife and daughters a lot of times to have him committed somewhere for approximately two years. He usually denied that he was doing anything."

A lasting legacy

Ruffin, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two years before his death in 1989, was ranked 66th on Rolling Stone's 2023 list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

"Bruce [Springsteen] is just one of many great singers in awe of Ruffin's distinctive sandpaper tone, a vocal texture that countless soul and rock musicians have envied in the peak Motown years and afterward," Rolling Stone wrote. "On hits like "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep," and "My Girl," Ruffin was the earthbound anchor for the Temptations' heavenly harmonies, the guy whose flawed humanity enriched their greatest love songs. "I know you wanna leave me," he sang, with a singular rasp that guaranteed we never would."

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 7:26 AM.