Soul singer and Motown legend Jimmy Ruffin dies at 78

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Legendary soul singer and Motown recording artist Jimmy Ruffin died Monday in Las Vegas, Nev.

Older brother of Temptations lead singer David Ruffin, Jimmy recorded his first mainstream hit for Motown Records in 1966 with the classic and oft covered soul song "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted," which became a top 10 hit, reaching number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the R&B chart.

Ruffin, besides serving in the Army after being drafted, went on to record an album with his brother David in 1970 titled I Am My Brother's Keeper that included a cover of "Stand By Me" and eventually found another mainstream hit with "Hold On to My Love" in 1980.

Born May 7, 1939 in Collinsville, Mississippi, Ruffin got his start singing in a gospel group and after leaving Motown in the eighties, went on to find success in the U.K.

His children confirmed the singer's death but provided no additional information.