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Michael paid for Temptation Furneral in 1991!!

Moddie777

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****************An act of Generosity and Respect*****************


For those who maybe too young to remember:

Did you know in 1991 Michael paid for the furneral and reportedly the burial of one of the Temptations Lead Singers, David Ruffin?

It was reported David died of an overdose while at a crack house, His body was left on a street. According to radio stations from back in the day, when Michael heard about how his "body" was treated he was upset and in tears. It got back to Michael, David's family didn't have enough money for a furneral so Michael took care of it. Magazines like "Right On" during that time, reported how Michael wanted David to be buried with dignity, unlike how he was treated in death by whomever dumped his body on a street.

I will never forget the look on my mothers face and how she cried as we both listened to the radio station DJ's talked about this very special deed from Michael. They were clearly touched by his act of kindness and appreciation of David Ruffin's contribution and legacy.

I did google to see if there was a link I could post with this info but the few things I found DID NOT go into these details, so I posted as best as my memory from 18 years ago.

People should know how Great Michael truly was and how much he cared for others in need.
 
Oh yea I remember this, At the time I said to myself "There goes Michael doing a Michael thing"... He was always so giving and caring. God I miss him..:( If the rest of the world only knew how much they could learn from Micheal Jackson this world WOULD be a better place.
 
xthunderx2 said:
Oh yea I remember this, At the time I said to myself "There goes Michael doing a Michael thing"... He was always so giving and caring. God I miss him..:( If the rest of the world only knew how much they could learn from Micheal Jackson this world WOULD be a better place.
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You are right xthunderx, The world needs to know how special he truly was.

When I heard an old Temptation song on the radio today and they spoke about David Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick( he died of cancer), they breifly mentioned Eddie's hometown and burial place but said nothing about David's furneral or anything about Michael paying for it. I knew then, I was going to post this thread.

I hope the mods don't mind.
 
Yup, the sad death and 'what-could-have-been' career and life of David Ruffin; what a shame for anyone to be treated like David's body had, very sad. . . . Those Temptations and early-solo David songs are treasures.

As for Michael, not surprising that he would do something kind and generous, especially for someone he probably new and admired from his Jackson 5 days. . . . I imagine the Temptations choreography to some extent affected Joseph's training of the Jackson 5's united precision in dance (wasn't David Ruffin referenced in the Jacksons/American Dream movie in regard w/ how to hold the microphone?)
 
Moddie777 said:
****************An act of Generosity and Respect*****************


For those who maybe too young to remember:

Did you know in 1991 Michael paid for the furneral and reportedly the burial of one of the Temptations Lead Singers, David Ruffin?

It was reported David died of an overdose while at a crack house, His body was left on a street. According to radio stations from back in the day, when Michael heard about how his "body" was treated he was upset and in tears. It got back to Michael, David's family didn't have enough money for a furneral so Michael took care of it. Magazines like "Right On" during that time, reported how Michael wanted David to be buried with dignity, unlike how he was treated in death by whomever dumped his body on a street.

I will never forget the look on my mothers face and how she cried as we both listened to the radio station DJ's talked about this very special deed from Michael. They were clearly touched by his act of kindness and appreciation of David Ruffin's contribution and legacy.

I did google to see if there was a link I could post with this info but the few things I found DID NOT go into these details, so I posted as best as my memory from 18 years ago.

People should know how Great Michael truly was and how much he cared for others in need.
Click to expand...

He's paid for a lot of Motown legend's funerals.
 
i didnt know about it. thank you for posting
how many deeds of respect and love Michael did quietly, without telling to anybody... we will never know but we can feel there were many
i love him so much. he made this world a better place. such a wise and brave man. i miss him so much
 
thanks for sharing. obviously, in his life, Michael has been scoring so many points in heaven...God bless his soul...
 
I keep saying it and I'm going to say it agian.

An Angel, that what he is.

The world is so empty with out hime.

I Love U Michael :heart:
 
Thanks for posting, i don't know that .He is so caring and considering . god bless him
 
mello1 said:
He's paid for a lot of Motown legend's funerals.
Click to expand...

I also heard when he bought the music catalog that included the Beatles and Elvis he also bought a lot of "black" artists-like Jackie wilson, little richard, etc(there's a video on youtube with the previous owners of it talking about it). I also heard that he gave Little Richard ownership to his own music(Dick Gregory said that). I'm hearing all this new information on MJ and it's amazing how some people still think he hated his skin color and bleached it to be white. :doh:
 
I never knew this. Wow, thanks OP for sharing!
What a beautiful, thoughtful person Michael was. Such compassion he had. It's one thing to feel sad for someone and the situation they're in. It's another to actually take action and *do* something to help them. Michael took the initiative. I can't get over that man's kindness :wub:


tarah86 said:
I also heard when he bought the music catalog that included the Beatles and Elvis he also bought a lot of "black" artists-like Jackie wilson, little richard, etc(there's a video on youtube with the previous owners of it talking about it). I also heard that he gave Little Richard ownership to his own music(Dick Gregory said that). I'm hearing all this new information on MJ and it's amazing how some people still think he hated his skin color and bleached it to be white. :doh:
Click to expand...

Amen! people are so ignorant.
 
That's so nice of Michael paying someone else funeral.
 
xthunderx2 said:
Oh yea I remember this, At the time I said to myself "There goes Michael doing a Michael thing"... He was always so giving and caring. God I miss him..:( If the rest of the world only knew how much they could learn from Micheal Jackson this world WOULD be a better place.
Click to expand...

You are so right xthunderx2....He never stops giving and caring to the needies and it's so sad that people just don't see what he had done to make this world a better place....but without Michael, this world is no longer a better place to me :cry:
 
Michael is an Angel accidently came to our world.... . He was defiantly chosen. I remember I heard him saying something like that. I cannot find this video. :(
 
Last edited:
Moddie777 said:
****************An act of Generosity and Respect*****************


For those who maybe too young to remember:

Did you know in 1991 Michael paid for the furneral and reportedly the burial of one of the Temptations Lead Singers, David Ruffin?

It was reported David died of an overdose while at a crack house, His body was left on a street. According to radio stations from back in the day, when Michael heard about how his "body" was treated he was upset and in tears. It got back to Michael, David's family didn't have enough money for a furneral so Michael took care of it. Magazines like "Right On" during that time, reported how Michael wanted David to be buried with dignity, unlike how he was treated in death by whomever dumped his body on a street.

I will never forget the look on my mothers face and how she cried as we both listened to the radio station DJ's talked about this very special deed from Michael. They were clearly touched by his act of kindness and appreciation of David Ruffin's contribution and legacy.

I did google to see if there was a link I could post with this info but the few things I found DID NOT go into these details, so I posted as best as my memory from 18 years ago.

People should know how Great Michael truly was and how much he cared for others in need.
Click to expand...

Regarding Ruffin's death there are different stories. One is the version seen in the movie (remember how the family members of some of the Temps sued?). That is the one I think you are refering to. The other I have heard that is supposed to be true is that Ruffin overdosed in the crack house and his driver took his body to the hospital saying 'This is David Ruffin' and sped away. Very sad situation. Regardless, it is a kind action by Michael. I too have heard that he paid for the funerals of other Motown legends.

tarah86 said:
I also heard when he bought the music catalog that included the Beatles and Elvis he also bought a lot of "black" artists-like Jackie wilson, little richard, etc(there's a video on youtube with the previous owners of it talking about it). I also heard that he gave Little Richard ownership to his own music(Dick Gregory said that). I'm hearing all this new information on MJ and it's amazing how some people still think he hated his skin color and bleached it to be white. :doh:
Click to expand...

Amen! He was a proud black man. :)
 
xthunderx2 said:
Oh yea I remember this, At the time I said to myself "There goes Michael doing a Michael thing"... He was always so giving and caring. God I miss him..:( If the rest of the world only knew how much they could learn from Micheal Jackson this world WOULD be a better place.
Click to expand...

Yep, theirs nothing more Michael than that.

How can anyone even think to demonize and degrade a man like this?
 
Such a beautiful soul. He was upset that many legends in black music got treated bad and took an action. This story reminds me of him talkin about them during the "Sony sucks" period and him going to the James Brown's funeral. He was always proud of his cultural heritage and showed his appreciation through his action.
 
That's really sweet of him; and xthunderx2 that is soo a 'Michael thing'

he was a fan of the Temps growing up so I'm not surprised, which, of course, is not to say that he wouldn't have done it otherwise.

Thanks for posting this tidbit, moddie:flowers:
 
I didn't know this.....what an awfully beautiful gesture on his behalf...

Indeed a "Michael deed".

God,I love and hate reading such stories these days. I don't understand why they didn't surface while he was alive, and more importantly, why is no longer alive. This is just too cruel!
 
cryingangel said:
I didn't know this.....what an awfully beautiful gesture on his behalf...

Indeed a "Michael deed".

God,I love and hate reading such stories these days. I don't understand why they didn't surface while he was alive, and more importantly, why is no longer alive. This is just too cruel!
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I never trust the mainstream media to print out true stories. The fans and musician friends knew the deal about this Ruffin thing. So they're just bandwagoning if they're just finding this out.
 
troubleman84 said:
I never trust the mainstream media to print out true stories. The fans and musician friends knew the deal about this Ruffin thing. So they're just bandwagoning if they're just finding this out.
Click to expand...

I don't trust them either, it's not like they ever did anything to favor his image. Yet, under these circumstances, I can't help feeling angry about it.

By the way, haven't seen you around in a long time. Good to have you back :flowers:
 
mello1 said:
He's paid for a lot of Motown legend's funerals.
Click to expand...

I was 3 years old at the time and its my 1st time hearing what Michael had done for the Late David Ruffen. I NEVER knew that he paid for a lot of MOTOWN Legends funerals. What a heart Man!! What a BEAUTIFUL and pure heart he had.:yes:

Thankyou for this thread. It makes me LOVE Michael more. oh so Much More!:wub:
 
cryingangel said:
I don't trust them either, it's not like they ever did anything to favor his image. Yet, under these circumstances, I can't help feeling angry about it.

By the way, haven't seen you around in a long time. Good to have you back :flowers:
Click to expand...

Yeah I decided to see how things were over here. :yes:
 
What a lovely and generous thing to do! I love reading these stories of Michael's kindness! :heart: These stories should be shouted from the rooftops to drown out the vile trashy stuff. Michael deserves it. :yes: Easier said than done, I know...
 
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