Jimmy Ruffin, the brother who didn't join the Temptations, dead at 78

In 1965, the Temptations went with Jimmy Ruffin's younger brother David. Jimmy went on to record "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted," a hit for Motown Records' Soul label in 1966. His career moved to London about 1980. The native of Collinsville, Miss. died Monday in a Las Vegas hospital at age 78. Motown founder Berry Gordy posted a statement:

Jimmy Ruffin was a phenomenal singer. He was truly underrated because we were also fortunate to have his brother, David, as the lead singer of the Temptations, who got so much acclaim. Jimmy, as a solo artist, had 'What Becomes of the Brokenhearted,' one of the greatest songs put out by Motown and also one of my personal favorites.

Ruffin's children, Philicia Ruffin and Jimmy Lee Ruffin Jr., released this statement included in Randy Lewis' obituary online tonight at the LA Times:

"Jimmy Ruffin was a rare type of man who left his mark on the music industry. My family in its entirety is extremely upset over his death. He will truly be missed. We will treasure the many fond and wonderful memories we all have of him."

David Ruffin died in 1991 at 50 of a drug overdose. More from Lewis:

Not long after David left the Temptations in 1968, he and Jimmy recorded an album, "I Am My Brother's Keeper," as the Ruffin Brothers, including their version of "Stand By Me," which reached No. 61 in Billboard in 1970.

But Jimmy's solo career never sustained or surpassed that initial burst of success from "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted," so Ruffin decided to focus on the following that his recordings had established in Europe. He moved to London and spent much of the 1980s and '90s there.

English music fans' affinity for Ruffin's music paved the way for the Bee Gees' Robin Gibb to produce for Ruffin an album, "Sunrise," in 1980, which yielded "Hold On to My Love." His final chart hit, a duet with Maxine Nightingale on "Turn To Me," came in 1982.

Classic Motown lyrics. "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" is credited to William Weatherspoon, Paul Riser, and James Dean.

As I walk this land of broken dreams
I have visions of many things.
But happiness is just an illusion
Filled with sadness and confusion

I walk in shadows searching for light
Cold and alone, no comfort in sight
Hopin' and praying for someone who'll care
Always moving and going nowhere