What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted singer and Motown favourite Jimmy Ruffin dies at age 78

By Associated Press

Published: 14:53 EST, 19 November 2014 | Updated: 07:13 EST, 20 November 2014

Jimmy Ruffin, the Motown singer whose hits include What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted and Hold On To My Love, died Monday in a Las Vegas hospital. He was 78.

The late singer's children, Philicia and Jimmy Lee Ruffin Jr., confirmed their father's death on Wednesday but did not reveal the cause.

Ruffin was the older brother of Temptations lead singer David Ruffin, who died of a drugs overdose in 1991 aged 50.

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Motown star: Jimmy Ruffin died Monday in a Las Vegas hospital at 78

Motown star: Jimmy Ruffin died Monday in a Las Vegas hospital at 78

'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,' Philicia and the Ruffin family said in a statement.

'We will treasure the many fond and wonderful memories we all have of him.

'We appreciate all of the love and prayers from our family, friends, his colleagues and his adoring fans,' the statement added. 

British hit: The star lived in the U.K. in the 1980s and 1990s and was a frequent guest on TV show Later With Jools Holland,  pictured here in 2009

British hit: The star lived in the U.K. in the 1980s and 1990s and was a frequent guest on TV show Later With Jools Holland,  pictured here in 2009

Jimmy was born on May 7, 1936, in Collinsville, Mississippi, where he and David sang with a gospel group, the Dixie Nightingales.

The brothers made their way north to Detroit where both were signed to Berry Gordy's Motown Records, when Jimmy was 25, according to the Detroit News.

He had a string of hits in the 1960s, including What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted, which made it into the Billboard's Top 10 pop charts in 1966.

Early start: Jimmy was signed to Berry Gordy's Motown Records label when he was just 25 

Early start: Jimmy was signed to Berry Gordy's Motown Records label when he was just 25 

It became a Top 10 hit in the U.K. when it was re-issued in 1974.

Success continued with I've Passed This Way Before and Gonna Give Her All the Love I've Got, among other releases.

Jimmy worked with his brother David in the 1970s on the album, I Am My Brother's Keeper.

Like many soul stars, Ruffin enjoyed success in Europe and lived in London in the 1980s and 1990s. 

Personal appearance: Jimmy singing with Jools Holland accompanying on the piano on the British show

Personal appearance: Jimmy singing with Jools Holland accompanying on the piano on the British show

After a quieter period, he made a comeback in 1980 with Hold On To My Love, produced by Robin Gibb, the Bee Gees member who died in 2012.

He appeared on a variety of British music shows, including the iconic Top Of The Pops and Later With Jools Holland in 2009 

Funeral arrangements are pending, the family said.  

His biggest hit: The soul singer issued this album which included What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted, which made it into the Billboard Top 10 in 1966 and the British Top 10 when it was reissued in 1974

His biggest hit: The soul singer issued this album which included What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted, which made it into the Billboard Top 10 in 1966 and the British Top 10 when it was reissued in 1974

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