On June 1st, in 1991, we lost an iconic soul singer, Jimmy Ruffin's little brother, former lead singer of the Temptations, drummer, songwriter, solo recording artist and one of the many musicians that helped shape the Motown Sound in the 60s-David (Eli) Ruffin. TOV covered the artist’s birthday on the January 18th post. Please refer to it for more information. He’s most known for his lead vocals on Temptations songs from 1964 to 1968. He’s a member of the ‘Classic Five’ lineup which included: David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams. David was a controversial singer that was said to be a bit self-centered. He felt he was the star of the group and even came from the audience at a Temptations show after he left the group for his solo career to sing lead without permission.
He walked up to the stage singing, got on stage and took over. He was a longtime significant other of Tammi Terrell, he even proposed to her, but she turned him down because he was still married and had another significant other on the side. His solo career never really took off in the 70s as planned due to his lack of promotion and cocaine use, more so the former than the latter. Most artists on Motown were using cocaine regularly during the 70s like Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye. Their usage didn’t halt their success because the label stood firmly behind them. Not so much with David. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member released 12 LPs from 1969 to 1988, two of which were duets with his brother Jimmy Ruffin-I Am My Brother’s Keeper (1970) and former Temptation Eddie Kendricks-Ruffin & Kendricks (1988). He was 50 when he passed.
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On June 1st, in 1960, Minneapolis soul musician, producer, guitarist, former member of the Time, singer, songwriter, current member of D’Angelo’s The Vanguard, composer, multi-label recording artist and former member of Treacherous Funk-Jesse (Woods) Johnson was born in Rock Island, Illinois. He’s most known as one of the ‘Original 7ven’ members of the Time with: Morris Day (lead vocals), Jerome Benton (backing vocals, hype man), Monte Moir (keys), Jellybean Johnson (drums), Terry Lewis (bass) and Jimmy Jam (keyboards). He also has produced, co-written and performed session work for several artists from the mid 70s to the current date. His playing style can be categorized as hard rock with a funk foundation, similar to the Funkadelic/Parliament sound. He started playing guitar in his early teens with local bands like Dealer, Treacherous Funk and Pilot (teens-early 20s).
In 1981, he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and joined Morris Day’s band-Enterprise. He was their songwriter, co-lead vocalist and lead guitarist. Prince took members from Enterprise and Flyte Tyme, then merged them to make the Time. Jesse was lead guitarist for the first 2 LPs that were exclusively produced, arranged and written by Prince. However, Jesse co-wrote for Vanity 6-Bite the Beat and the Time-The Bird, Jungle Love (1983). He also began to sing with Morris, who went solo in 1984 following the success of Purple Rain. The Time dissolved and Johnson went solo releasing his debut-Jesse Johnson’s Revue (A&M Records, 1984). A year later in 1985, he was a featured artist on the Breakfast Club soundtrack-Heart to Hold. He continued to release solo LPs and produce music for soundtracks throughout the 80s and early 90s. His most notable LP is 1988’s Shockadelica which features a duet with Sly Stone-Crazay. He’s 58 today.
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On June 1st, in 1948, rock mogul, seminal guitarist, painter, radio personality, DJ, songwriter, singer, producer and member of Rolling Stones-Ronnie Wood (Ronald David Wood-l) was born in Hillingdon, Middlesex, UK. He’s most known for his guitar licks alongside Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones from the mid 70s to the current date. However, Wood actually started as the primary songwriter and lead guitarist for the Birds which were a R&B/Blues based band (1965). In 1967, he left the Birds and became the bassist for The Jeff Beck Group-Rod Stewart was their lead singer. Ronnie doubled as the guitarist for Creation-a rock based English band while with the Jeff Beck Group.
In 1969, he formed Quiet Melon with Kim Gardner, his brother Art Wood and Rod Stewart, they eventually morphed into Faces (formerly Small Faces). During the early 70s, Wood acted as lead guitarist and co-writer on the majority of Faces’ songs. He also wrote and played for Rod Stewart when he went solo. Ronnie Lane (Faces bassist) and Wood composed a soundtrack for-Mahoney’s Last Stand in 1972. In 1973, Wood worked with Mick Jagger on the song-It’s Only Rock’n Roll (But I Like It). Jagger returned the favor, bringing in Keith Richards to help out on Wood’s solo debut-I’ve Got My Own Album to Do (Warner Brothers, 1974). In 1975, he worked with the Stones on their Black and Blue LP, touring with for the remainder of the year. In 1976, he became an official member and has been one since. He’s 72.
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HONORABLE MENTION: On June 1st, in 1948, we lost a seminal bluesman, blues harp (harmonica) innovator, songwriter, Chicago blues pioneer, songwriter and the man dubbed-‘The Original Sonny Boy’-Sonny Boy Williamson I (John Lee Curtis Williamson). TOV covered the artist’s birthday on the March 30th post. Please refer to it for more information. He’s most known as the father of the blues harp, for his post-World War I songs and mentoring Chicago blues artists like Little Walter and Muddy Waters. The Madison, TN native crafted several blues standards starting in the late 30s. He was 34 when he passed.
On June 1st, in 1972, The Queen of Soul-Aretha Franklin released her transcending live gospel album-Amazing Grace. This iconic release is considered one of the few gospel LPs that sold heavily to a secular crowd. The double LP is nearly 90 minutes long (standard length of a movie). It was recorded at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, CA. It features the Reverend James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir. One of the more notable songs on the album is the opening track-Aretha’s version of Mary Don’t You Weep. It’s over seven minutes of heartfelt rhythms and vocals. This album is a definite buy. If you don’t have it, get it.
On June 1st, in 1974, twin, seminal 90s singer, actress, pianist, songwriter and award winning musician-Alanis (Nadine) Morrissette was born in Ottawa, Canada. She’s most known for her contributions to alternative rock and her 1995 album-Jagged Little Pill. She started playing piano when she was 6. She started acting on TV shows when she was in middle school-You Can’t Do That on Television (Nickelodeon). Alanis recorded her first demo when she was 13-Fate Stay With Me. She signed to MCA Records and released her debut LP-Alanis (1991). She had a pop sound, commonly called the ‘Debbie Gibson’ of Canada. In 1992, she started playing more substance-based music, which would became her primary style. She’s 45 today.
On June 1st, in 1976, one of the all-female bands that pioneered punk rock and heavy metal-The Runaways: Lita Ford, Cherie Currie, Joan Jett, Sandy West and Jackie Fox-released their self-titled debut-THE RUNAWAYS (Fidelity Records). It contains their hit song-Cherry Bomb, which was really an audition song Joan Jett, Cherie Currie and their manager/producer Kim Fowley came up with. VH1 ranked it 52nd on their list of the 100 Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Songs of All-Time. It has also been featured in several films and video games. Jett and Currie have numerous co-writing credits throughout the LP, showcasing their ability to craft good songs at a young age.
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