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Jimmy Ruffin, the Motown singer whose hits included “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted,” died on Monday (Nov 17) in a Las Vegas hospital aged 78. No cause of death has been given.

A statement from Ruffin’s daughter, Philicia Ruffin, says:

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 appreciate all of the love and prayers from our family, friends, his colleagues and his adoring fans. We will treasure the many fond and wonderful memories we all have of him.

Ruffin was born on May 7, 1936, in Collinsville, Mississippi. As a child, he performed with his younger brother David in a gospel group called the Dixie Nightingales. He moved to Detroit in the early 1960s and signed to Motown, recording singles for its subsidiary Miracle label, before being drafted for national service. He rejoined Motown after leaving the army and was considered as a replacement for Elbridge Bryant in The Temptations, but the job went to his brother David.

Jimmy Ruffin would go on to achieve several hits in the 1960s, including “I’ve Passed This Way Before,” “Gonna Give Her All the Love I’ve Got” and, biggest of all, the much loved “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted”.

“What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” – Jimmy Ruffin

In 1970, he collaborated with his brother David as the Ruffin Brothers on the album “I Am My Brother’s Keeper,” which included songs such as “He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother” and “Stand by Me”.

The hits dried up for Ruffin in the US in the 1970s, but he still had some success in the UK, reaching the Top Ten with “Farewell is a Lonely Sound,” “It’s Wonderful (To Be Loved By You)” and a reissue of “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted”.

After years away from the charts, Ruffin returned with “Hold On To My Love” in 1980, which was penned by Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees and Blue Weaver.

“Hold On To My Love” – Jimmy Ruffin

After moving to the UK, Ruffin collaborated with Paul Weller on the benefit single “Soul Deep” (1984) and with Heaven 17 on an EP featuring “A Foolish Thing To Do” and “My Sensitivity” (1986).

In the 1990s, Ruffin hosted a seven-part radio show for BBC Radio 2 titled “Jimmy Ruffin’s Sweet Soul Music”. His brother David died from a drug overdose in 1991, after which Ruffin became an anti-drugs campaigner.

Ruffin’s final album was the 2012 compilation “There Will Never Be Another You”.