Music Monday: July 13, 2026

Posted in Music Monday by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Last week two more pieces of my younger years said goodbye for good.

Bonnie Tyler, the beautiful singer with the husky voice behind the hit songs “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” and “Holding Out For A Hero”, died July 8, 2026 at age 75. She just hit that milestone birthday on June 8 while she was hospitalized due to intestinal surgery she had a month earlier as reported on her Facebook page. That is where her family & team broke the news of her passing last week.

Tyler-who was born Gaynor Hopkins on June 8, 1951 in Wales-started her singing career after placing second in a talent contest when she was 18. Six years later in 1975, she was signed to RCA Records & changed her name on the label’s recommendation. Two years later, she released her debut album, The World Starts Tonight, in February 1977. That year she also had surgery to remove nodules on her vocal chords. Supposedly her failure to follow the doctor’s recommendation to rest her voice for six full weeks left her with her signature hoarse tone. Seventeen more albums followed over the next 45 years along with three Top 40 songs: “It’s a Heartache” peaked at #3 in June 1978, “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” reached #1 for four weeks in October 1983 & “Holding Out For A Hero” from “Footloose” reached #34 in April 1984. Great Britain awarded her an MBE for services to music in 2022 at the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

For me, the best memory of this incredible singer was belting out her 1978 hit with some of my childhood friends every time it came on the radio. We had no idea what the lyrics meant or what romantic love was all about, but we knew a great track when we heard one & the beauty of the raspy voice behind it.

Bonnie Tyler: June 8, 1951 – July 8, 2026.

Bonnie Tyler circa 1977. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Randolph Mantooth, the actor who rose to fame playing one of my first crushes, paramedic Johnny Gage on “Emergency!” which ran from 1972-1979, died on July 9, 2026 at age 80. After that series ended he starred in the mini-series, “The Seekers” (1979), and the soap opera, “Loving”, in two main roles between 1987-1990 & 1993-1997. Several other TV & movie appearance followed until his last screen appearance in the 2013 horror movie, “Killer Holiday”.

Over the last 50 years the legacy of “Emergency!” – one of the first TV series to feature firefighters & the very first to feature paramedics – has continued to grow in admiration for bringing the profession to the attention to the public. Mantooth stayed involved in continuing that mission. According to IMDb,

“In 2000 Mantooth participated in Project 51, a non-profit organization organized to not only celebrate the impact the show had on rescue and emergency services but to honor members of the EMS profession as well. As one of seven committee members guiding this organization, Mantooth finished a cross-country tour, traveling with the refurbished Squad from the television show to such cities as: Orlando, Chicago, Las Vegas, Long Island, Baltimore and the final stop, Washington, DC. On May 16, nearly 30 years after “Emergency!” debuted, the Smithsonian Institute accepted the show’s memorabilia into its Natural History Museum”.

Randolph Mantooth: September 19, 1945 – July 9, 2026.

Randolph Mantooth as Johnny Gage on “Emergency!”. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The picture on display at the Los Angeles County Fire Department courtesy of their Facebook page. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

This year marks two milestone birth anniversaries for two brothers who helped write Motown’s illustrious history. Jimmy Ruffin was born 90 years ago on May 7, 1936 in Collinsville, Mississippi. His younger brother, David (born Davis Eli Ruffin) was born 85 years ago on January 18, 1941.

He became one of the biggest voices on the label as one of the lead singers for the Temptations during its “classic five” period (Jan 1964-June 1968) despite Jimmy vying for the position as well. But he recorded several records for Motown as a solo artist, including his breakthrough hit which was released 60 years ago in June 1966. It peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 four months later. He had three other Top 40 hits, including the Top Ten track, “Hold On To My Love” in May 1980.

David’s success as one of The Temptations’ primary voices started with “My Girl” released in December 1964. Two years later, they released their 4th studio album, Gettin’ Ready which includes the classics, “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg”- sung by David – and “Get Ready”.

In 1970, the Ruffin Brothers released a collabortive album, I Am My Brother’s Keeper, which features 12 duets including the most soulful cover of a Ben E. King classic I ever heard.

Jimmy Lee Ruffin: May 7, 1936 – November 17, 2014.

David Ruffin: January 18, 1941 – June 1, 1991.

Jimmy Ruffin (L) and David Ruffin (R) on the cover of their 1970 album. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Forty-five years ago Steve Winwood scored his first Top Ten song with “When You See A Chance”. It peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1981. It was the lead single from his 1980 album, Arc Of A Diver, which peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 in April 1981. The title track is my favorite from the record.

Winwood released his fourth solo album, Back In The High Life, 40 years ago on June 30, 1986. By September, it peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 & produced six singles including his first #1 song which reached the top spot in August 1986. The title track peaked at #13 in August 1987 and features backing & harmony vocals by James Taylor. The album also features contributions from many other artists including guitarists Nile Rodgers and Joe Walsh and singer Chaka Khan.

Winwood has had a total of six Top Ten hits in his nearly 65 year career including his second #1 song, “Roll With It”, which held the top spot for 4 weeks starting in July 1988.

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

American singer Aaliyah released her second studio album, One In A Million, 30 years ago on August 13, 1996. It included a cover of Marvin Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up” which is how I discovered her incredible voice. She did a more than respectable job with the song & even featured images of Gaye in the video. I could have done without the rap part but at least it was minimal. Her strong soprano voice had an intense soulful vibe to it. It helped her earn a place on the talent show, “Star Search”, when she was just 10 years old. She died in a plane crash nearly 25 years ago in August 2001 when she was only 22 years old.

Aaliyah Dana Haughton: January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001.

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Bonnie Tyler: “It’s A Heartache” (1977, written by Ronnie Scott and Steve Wolfe).

Jimmy Ruffin: “What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted” (1966, written by James Dean, Paul Riser and William Weatherspoon).

The Temptations: “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” (1966, written by Edward Holland, Jr and Norman Whitfield. Lead vocal: David Ruffin).

David Ruffin: “My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)” (1969, written by Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua, James Roach and Pam Sawyer).

Jimmy Ruffin and David Ruffin: “Stand By Me” (1970, written by Elmo Glick and Ben E. King).

Steve Winwood: “While You See A Chance” (1980, written by Will Jennings and Steve Winwood).

Steve Winwood: “Higher Love” (1986, written by Will Jennings and Steve Winwood).

Steve Winwood: “Freedom Overspill” (1986, written by George Fleming, James Hooker and Steve Winwood).

Steve Winwood: “Back In The High Life Again” (1986, written by Will Jennings and Steve Winwood).

Aaliyah: “If Your Girl Only Knew” (1996, written by Missy Elliott and Tim Mosley a/k/a Timbaland).

Stay safe & well.

17Jan2022

Music Monday: January 17, 2022

Posted in Music Monday by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Temptations’ David Ruffin was born January 18, 1941 in Mississippi. He had one of the best voices in Motown, right on par with Levi Stubbs and Marvin Gaye who was a huge fan of Ruffin’s as well. His group member Eddie Kendricks did a great job on his falsetto led songs. But to me, the achingly impassioned vocal Ruffin delivered on each of his tracks got me. Every. Single. Time. And the strings on this song elevate it to a level of perfection that just makes me swoon.

“Girl, I can’t believe my ears
Are you really telling my goodbye?
See, you’ve taken away my reason for livin’
And you won’t even tell me why“.

The Temptations circa 1965 (L-R): David Ruffin, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Otis Williams and Eddie Kendricks. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Temptations: “I Could Never Love Another (After Lovin’ You)” (1968, written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong and Rodger Penzabene).

Stay well.

18Aug2021

Let’s Take A Moment Day 520

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

Hi everyone. Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing. But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Time for another mid-week Motown break. Label founder Berry Gordy borrowed $800 from his family in 1958 to start his record company. Tamla Records began operating on January 12, 1959 and led to a few sister labels including Motown Records. A year later that merged with Tamla to form Motown Record Corporation.

After an incredibly successful nearly 30 year run Gordy sold his company to MCA Records and the investment firm Boston Ventures (BV) in 1988 for $61 million dollars. Not a bad return on an $800 loan. But five years later, on August 3, 1993, BV sold the label to Polygram for a whopping $325 million dollars. What a difference five years made.

“Your love is fading I can feel your love fading
Girl, it’s fading away from me
‘Cause your touch your touch has grown cold
As if someone else controls your very soul“.

The Temptations circa 1964 (clockwise from top): David Ruffin, Melvin Franklin, Otis Williams, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Temptations: “(I Know) I’m Losing You” (1966, written by Cornelius Grant, Edward Holland Jr and Norman Whitfield).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

11Jul2021

Let’s Take A Moment Day 482

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

In 1969 a series of concerts took place in New York City. Dubbed “The Harlem Cultural Festival” and held at what is now Marcus Garvey Park, it featured so many of my favorite performers from the Motown soul & gospel genres. These concerts were held over a six week period & most of the shows were recorded. But at the time there was no interest in buying them for a film Those involved did not know if that was because another music festival-Woodstock-was taking place that August or because black music was still considered secondary in the summer of 1969.

Whatever the reason, the tapes of the Harlem shows were left in a basement for 50 years until 2019. At that time they came to the attention of a producer who purchased them & turned them into a film that was released this year. Unbelievable, right? Another shocking aspect to this story? I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE CONCERTS OR THE MOVIE UNTIL LAST WEEK!!!

I uncovered the film about seven days ago when I went to Hulu for my weekly “Lost” re-watch. Instead I saw the ad for the movie, aptly titled “Summer Of Soul”. It premiered at The Sundance Film Festival in January and in theatres & on Hulu in June. My jaw dropped as I read the info about the film. It spotlights the performances of the incredible artists who were there interwoven with present day interviews with them and others involved in the festival itself.

How could something so incredible like a concert series of this magnitude get shelved for five decades? I am a native New Yorker, not to mention a profound fan of music, yet I lived all these years without even knowing this festival took place??? I cannot help but hang my head in extreme shame.

The film marks the directorial debut of Questlove, the co-frontman & drummer of Jimmy Fallon’s “Tonight Show” band, The Roots. In addition to being a musician and songwriter, Questlove has also made a name for himself as a producer, music journalist, author, disc jockey and now film director.

Discovering that an event like this took place but was never a matter of record matches my shock & amazement from the first time I saw “Hidden Figures”. To discover how important women-black women, especially-were assisting the U.S. Space Program & that was left out of the history books we read as kids is astounding. How many young girls might have had different dreams if they knew intelligent groundbreaking women were busting through glass ceilings half a century before? And how many aspiring musicians would have been inspired by this concert series?

But there is so much more to enjoy about this movie than the music. It is a time capsule to revisit the past. A look back at what are now vintage images of the culture at that time, the fashion, the style, the city store fronts and the people is simply hypnotic. The same goes for the clips of archived vintage footage from national news programs regarding the current events of the day like the Vietnam War & the Apollo landing which occurred the same summer. Those were interspersed with local stories about the heroin epidemic, the poverty level & the downward spiral of Harlem in general.

We also get a look at the city’s mayor at the time-John V. Lindsay-as well as a 27 year old minister, Reverend Jesse Jackson, who lead the crowd in a spiritual moment while he gave them his first hand account of watching Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King get shot. Undeniably powerful stuff.

My favorite moments include a newly solo David Ruffin singing “My Girl” sans The Temptations & hitting those high notes in such a remarkable effortless way; Stevie Wonder exhibiting his numerous talents from behind a microphone, a keyboard and a drum set; Sly Stone, the original poster boy for diversity not only as a black performer with white band members but with female ones as well. And they were not just back-up singers, either. They both sang & played instruments like the keyboards & the trumpet. The Family Stone performed three songs “Sing A Simple Song”, “Everyday People” & “Higher” which played as the credits began to roll.

Then there was Nina Simone captivating the audience with her powerful voice as she slammed the piano keys throughout her fierce performance. Gladys Knight & The Pips were on fire as were the gospel numbers, especially The Edwin Hawkins Singers rousing performance of “Oh Happy Day”. One of the women interviewed in the present who attended the show as a teenager summed it up best when she said: “Those artists crossed genres. They were trying to reunite people with music”. I have never been without music but I am just thrilled to be united with this movie. It is that good.

Another group that performed on what was called the festival’s “gospel day” was The Staple Singers. They were a family group comprised of Roebuck “Pops” Staples & his children: son Pervis & daughters Cleotha, Yvonne & Mavis, who turned 82 years young yesterday In addition to singing with her family, Mavis also sang a gospel song with Mahalia Jackson on “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” after Jackson’s stirring speech about and in honor of Rev. King’s favorite church song. It was nothing short of sublime.

In the present interview as the clip of the two women played, Mavis revealed that she still considers that moment her biggest honor and the experience “the time of my life”. She was born July 10, 1939 in Illinois. She & her family moved from gospel to secular music in the mid 1960’s. In 1968 they were signed to Stax Records. By June 1972, they had the #1 song in the country for one week with today’s track. It may be her birthday but it is her audience that receives a gift every time she sings.

Happy birthday, Mavis & here’s to 100 more. And a ginormous thank you to everyone who put this festival together, all the artists who performed there & the people who gave us the movie showcasing it all. It is an astounding treasure.

“I know a place
Ain’t nobody cryin’
Ain’t nobody worried
Ain’t no smilin’ faces“.

Top: The movie poster for 2021’s “Summer Of Soul”. Bottom: Mavis Staples (L) and Mahalia Jackson (R) in a still from the film. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

The Staples Singers: “I’ll Take You There” (1972, written by Al Bell).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

7May2021

Let’s Take A Moment Day 417

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

If you love Motown and hear the name Ruffin, you probably think of David from The Temptations. But he had an older brother, Jimmy, who was also on the label. He was born on May 7, 1936 in Mississippi and was originally chosen to join the group in 1964. But then they heard David sing and chose him instead. Two years later, Jimmy had a Top Ten hit with today’s song. It is his best known record and has always been one of my favorites.

“I walk in shadows searching for light
Cold and alone no comfort in sight
Hoping and praying for someone to care
Always moving and going nowhere“.

Jimmy Ruffin (L) and younger brother, David circa 1972. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Jimmy Ruffin: “What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted” (1966, written by James Anthony Dean, Paul Riser and William Weatherspoon).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

20Jan2021

Let’s Take A Moment Day 310

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Time for another mid-week Motown break. I love so many of the singers from the Motown era, but there are two voices that literally stop me dead in my tracks from the very first note they sing. One is Marvin Gaye & the other is David Ruffin, who had one of the most powerful, angst-filled & remarkable baritone voices of any decade of music. Monday marked the 80th birth anniversary of the most identifiable lead singer behind The Temptations, one of the label’s most successful acts. Ruffin, who was born January 18, 1941 in Mississippi, brought some of the group’s biggest hits to life including “My Girl”, “I Could Never Love Another” (Day 44), “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” (Day 114), “(I Know) I’m Losing You” “Since I Lost My Baby” (Day 226). He influenced singers like Rod Stewart and Daryl Hall to his own Motown contemporaries like Martha Reeves, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.

Today’s song was his debut as a solo artist. It was originally intended for The Temptations to sing, but once Ruffin was dismissed from the group in 1968 he was able to take the song with him. This was because he was signed to the label as a solo performer as he joined the group after they were already signed to the label. The track showcases Ruffin’s range, intensity, torment and rawness all at once. It is a fabulous vocal and a great song which features something not common in most Motown songs-a superb piccolo flute arrangement.

“I guess I loved you much too much.
How can I face tomorrow,
When yesterday is all I see?
I just don’t wanna face tomorrow, if you’re not sharing it with me.”

David Ruffin circa 1969. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

David Ruffin: “My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)” (1969, written by Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua, James Roach and Pam Sawyer).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

30Nov2020

Let’s Take A Moment Day 259

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

I have written on several occasions how 1978 was a monumental year in music for me & the industry in general. Well, when the universe gives you something it takes something else away. And the thing it took away from me was my peaceful relationship with my grandmother-for a while, anyway.

For two years she enjoyed listening to my records with me. She may have not remembered the artists names correctly (she called Bad Company “the not so nice visitors”) but I knew what she meant so we were good. Until the first time I played “Slowhand” by my great love Eric Clapton, that is. My grandmother’s disdain started with side one track one, “Cocaine”, and went downhill from there. She asked me what kind of person would write a song about drugs. I thought I was helping by telling her that he was only singing about them, that he did not write the tune. That led her to wonder out loud, “Was he too high to write it, perhaps?” I moved the needle to track two which was “Wonderful Tonight” so that stopped her scolding. But when track three came on, she became irritated again. She ordered me to turn the album off because she thought “Lay Down Sally” was too suggestive for a girl my age. Then she asked where Bruce was (as in Springsteen) and told me to put his music on so she could eat dinner in peace.

A few weeks later I was listening to a Neil Young album I borrowed. All I can tell you is that when “Down By The River” came on, my grandmother decided I must have started taking drugs because how else could I listen to a man brag about shooting someone. My punishment was twofold-I was banned from bringing any new records home for the foreseeable future AND I had to sit through her music shows. That way, she told me, I would hear songs that did not resort to questionable subject matter for shock value. Since she liked country music that meant episodes of “Hee-Haw” & “The Barbara Mandrell Show”. The first one was tough-not because of the music as much as what passed for humor. Mandrell’s music, while not really a favorite of mine, was tolerable. So imagine my grandmother’s horror & dismay when Mandrell premiered her new song, a tale of a woman unapologetic about her love for a married man. Music had beat my grandmother at her censorship game. And I must say, it was not a bad song. But the original was so much better.

It was a big record for singer Luther Ingram in 1972, hitting the #3 spot on the Hot 100 chart & the #1 spot on the R&B chart that year. He was born on this day in 1937 in Jackson, TN and thanks to his deep soulful voice, he had a record deal by the time he was 18. However, he did not see any success until he was signed to a small independent label, Koko Records, in the late 1960’s. They were associated with Stax Records at that time and by 1971, Ingram had co-written the hit song, “Respect Yourself” for that label’s group, The Staple Singers. Three songwriters from Stax wrote the song that Ingram became best known for and despite covers by Mandrell, Rod Stewart, Isaac Hayes David Ruffin and others, it is Ingram’s version that I find most inspired & soulful.

“And am I wrong to hunger
for the gentleness of your touch
knowing I got somebody else at home
who needs me just as much“.

Luther Ingram circa 1972. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Luther Ingram: “(If Loving You Is Wrong) ] I Don’t Want to Be Right” (1972, written by Homer Banks, Carl Hampton and Raymond Jackson).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

28Oct2020

Let’s Take A Moment Day 226

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Time for a long overdue mid-week Motown break. Today’s song has been covered as a gorgeous ballad by both Luther Vandross (in 1982) and Michael McDonald (in 2003). The uptempo 1965 original by The Temptations features music not only by The Funk Brothers but by The Detroit Symphony Orchestra as well. It was co-written by Smokey Robinson, features the incomparable David Ruffin on lead vocal with an assist from bass singer Melvin Franklin & those luscious backing harmonies. It’s another of The Temps exquisite lost love songs that only Ruffin could tell. The addition of the orchestra only amplifies the power and heartbreak of each note he sings. I think if the heart made noise when it was crying, it would sound exactly like Ruffin’s trademark pleading vocal.

“Oh, determination is fading fast
Inspiration is a thing of the past
Can’t see how my hope’s gonna last
Good things are bad and what’s happy is sad“.

The Temptations circa 1965. Standing (L-R): Paul Williams. Eddie Kendricks and Melvin Franklin, Seated (L-R): Otis Williams & David Ruffin. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Temptations: “Since I Lost My Baby” (1965, written by Warren (Pete) Moore and William “Smokey” Robinson Jr.).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

29Jul2020

Let’s Take A Moment Day 135

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Time for another mid-week Motown break. The Four Tops had tremendous success whether they were singing their own Motown originals or covers like “Walk Away Renee” (first recorded by The Left Banke in 1966), “If I Were A Carpenter” (written & recorded by Tim Hardin in 1967) or “River Deep Mountain High” (originally recorded by Ike & Tina Turner in 1966). The reason they never missed was because Levi Stubbs was as close to perfection as a vocalist could be. He had a smooth polished vocal as opposed to the impassioned raw emotion of his Temptations counterpoint, David Ruffin. I often thought of Stubbs singing to be close in style to Sam Cooke’s while Ruffin’s was more like Otis Redding’s. All four men had incredible iconic voices, just different styles.

Added to Stubbs’ vocals were the harmonious backing sounds by his group members- Abdul “Duke” Fakir, Renaldo “Obie” Benson and Lawrence Payton-along with the music of The Funk Brothers and the historic magical sound of The Four Tops was complete. All four members stayed together for 44 years, a record unmatched by any other act on the label. To this day they remain one of Motown’s most beloved and renowned groups and one of my great loves from that era.

“All you left is our favorite song
The one we danced to all night long
It used to bring sweet memories
Of a tender love that used to be.”

The Four Tops circa 1965 (L-to-R) Renaldo “Obie” Benson, Levi Stubbs, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, and Lawrence Payton. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Four Tops: “It’s The Same Old Song” ( 1965, written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

8Jul2020

Let’s Take A Moment Day 114

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Time for the first mid week Motown break for July. And no better place to start than at the top. Ladies & Gentlemen, The Temptations.

The Temptations (L-R): David Ruffin, Otis Williams, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin & Eddie Kendricks. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Temptations: “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” ( 1966, written by Norman Whitfield and Edward Holland Jr.).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

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Lilacs & Rust

Music & makeovers! I swoon for chippy paint, a gorgeous patina and a fabulous song!!! I love great music (read: Bruce Springsteen & Otis Redding), white lilacs, walking in freshly fallen snow, the Golden Girls, road trips and the fall!!!

Tag Archives: david ruffin

Music Monday: July 13, 2026

Music Monday: January 17, 2022

Let’s Take A Moment Day 520

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Temptations circa 1964 (clockwise from top): David Ruffin, Melvin Franklin, Otis Williams, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 482

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Top: The movie poster for 2021’s “Summer Of Soul”. Bottom: Mavis Staples (L) and Mahalia Jackson (R) in a still from the film. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 417

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 310

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

David Ruffin circa 1969. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 259

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 226

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 135

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Four Tops circa 1965 (L-to-R) Renaldo “Obie” Benson, Levi Stubbs, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, and Lawrence Payton. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 114

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Temptations (L-R): David Ruffin, Otis Williams, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin & Eddie Kendricks. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)