Bruce Ruffin
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Bruce Ruffin (born Bernardo Constantine Balderamus, 17 February 1952, in St Catherine, Jamaica) is a rocksteady and reggae artist.
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[edit] Early Life
Born in St Johns, St Catherine, Jamaica, Bruce Ruffin attended Calabar Primary School and the Kingsway High School in Kingston, Jamaica. He started his writing career at the age of 10 and began singing at the age of 12. His first introduction to the stage was on the “VERE JOHN’S TALENT CONTEST” on which he made several appearances and was always placed in the top three. His first big break came at the “VERE JOHN’S TALENT CONTEST” at the WARD THEATRE, JAMAICA. There he was approached by WINSTON RILEY who was overwhelmed with his writing and singing ability. He then asked him to join his group “THE TECHNIQUES” one of Jamaica’s top Rock Steady Groups.
[edit] The Techniques
The highlight of his career with “THE TECHNIQUES” was to be associated with the great DUKE REID who owned the TREASURE ISLE LABEL. He inspired him to write “RUN COME CELEBRATE” and gave him the idea to write the hit song “LOVE IS NOT A GAMBLE”.
During his stay with “THE TECHNIQUES” (along firstly Junior Menns then Pat Kelly, Winston Riley and himself), he wrote a string of hits including:-
“MY GIRL”, “ITS YOU I LOVE”, “RUN COME CELEBRATE”, “THERE COMES A TIME”, “LOVE IS NOT A GAMBLE”, “FIND YOURSELF A FOOL”, “MAN OF MY WORD”, “I’M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE”, to name but a few.
They also had hits with songs namely:-
“YOU DON’T CARE”, “QUEEN MAJESTY”, “I WISH IT WOULD RAIN” and “TRAVELLING MAN”.
[edit] 1969
TYRONE EVANS of THE PARAGONS and Bruce Ruffin formed the group “THE SHADES” and had a hit with “WHO YOU GONNA RUN TO” which remained at number one for four consecutive weeks in the Jamaican chart. Shortly after he joined THE INNER CIRCLE BAND, featuring founder members ROGER and IAN LEWIS, with GEOFFREY CHUNG as Arranger and other members STEVEN COORE (AKA CAT), MICHAEL COOPER (AKA IBO), WILLIAM STEWART, BUNNY CLARKE (AKA RUGGS) whom had since left and formed the band THIRD WORLD.
While with the INNER CIRCLE BAND, he did a support to STEVIE WONDER at the CARIB THEATRE in 1969. He then had his first hit single as a solo artist titled “LONG ABOUT NOW” produced by the legendary LLOYD CHARMERS. He was then approached by BEVERLY RECORDS and was produced by the great LESLEY KONG and WARRICK LYN. They had hits which includes “DRY UP YOUR TEARS”, “WHO’S GONNA BE YOUR MAN”, “BITTERNESS OF LIFE”, “FREE THE PEOPLE”, “CANDIDA” and “HO HO CHILD”.
“CANDIDA” was the first song of his to create an interest in the British charts and sparked an overseas interest in his career, followed by “BITTERNESS OF LIFE”. Then came the song “RAIN” which was recorded with the INNER CIRCLE BAND and released on the TROJAN RECORD LABEL, produced for HERMAN CHIN LOY – AQUARIUS RECORDS by GEOFFERY CHUNG.
[edit] 1971
He was invited to England to promote the hit single “RAIN” and to appear on THE TOP OF THE POPS SHOW. “RAIN” reached no. 12 in the british charts with sales of over 1 million copies. It also stayed in the South African charts for over 8 months in 1971.
“RAIN” was a big success, followed by “MAD ABOUT YOU”* an even bigger success, released on the RHINO/EMI LABEL. “MAD ABOUT YOU” reaching no. 5 in the British Charts with sales of over 1 million copies. With the album “Pure Gold” EMI going Platinum. Both “RAIN” and “MAD ABOUT YOU” were huge hits in numerous charts worldwide. A British and European tour followed shortly. He was then invited as a special guest of the Government of CZECHOSLOVAKIA to appear at the BRITISLAV SONG FESTIVAL accompanied by the CZECHOSLOVAKIAN PHILARMONIC ORCHESTRA.
[edit] 1974
He parted company with RHINO/EMI and concentrated more on my song writing.
[edit] 1977
He co-formed the group CHAIN REACTION with DAVE COLLINS of DAVE AND ANSELL COLLINS FAME. They had an instant hit in America with “NEVER LOSE AND NEVER WIN” which entered the Billboard top forty charts.
[edit] 1979 - 1981
He was signed to RCA RECORDS where he released two singled followed by an album.
[edit] 1980
He formed SLICK RECORDS and SMASH MUSIC. He published “HOLDING ON TO LOVE”, by DENNIS WATERMAN on the EMI LABEL which had more than moderate success. They also published a top thirty single entitled “FUCHI” (Free spirit) released on the EPIC LABEL.
[edit] 1982 Onwards
Since 1982 he has been busy working and studying. In 1990 he formed the BRM MUSIC GROUP of companies i.e. Genius Records Ltd/Intruder Records, BRM Music Publishing Ltd, and BRM Business Consultants who specializes in Entertainment Law and Management Services, representing Record Companies, Publishers, Producers, Writers, and Artists etc. He has also achieved within this time a BA (Hons) Law Degree.
[edit] Achievements
Songs covered to date by known artists includes:-
(1) DRY UP MY TEARS (2) MY GIRL (3) FIND YOURSELF A FOOL (4) CRAZY PEOPLE (5) MAD ABOUT YOU
“MAD ABOUT YOU”* was re-recorded for an episode of the BENNY HILL SHOW which generated and is still generating royalties for him.
Musical achievements to date: TWO PLATINUM DISCS, SEVEN GOLD DISCS and TEN SILVER DISCS.
ALBUMS: RAIN (TROJAN 1971) BRUCE RUFFIN/MAD ABOUT YOU (RHINO/EMI 1972) PURE GOLD (EMI 1972) With Chain Reaction: NEVER LOSE AND NEVER WIN (GULL 1976), CHANGE OF ACTION (VISTA 1983), CHASE A MIRACLE (VISTA 1983).
COMPILATIONS: With Techniques: CLASSICS (TECHNIQUES 1991), RUN COME CELEBRATE – THEIR GREATEST HITS (HEARTBEAT 1993).
[edit] Musical Influences
1. JACKIE WILSON who he had the pleaure of meeting 2. STEVIE WONDER whom he had the pleasure to meet and work with. 3. BENNY HILL whom he had the pleasure of meeting. 4. DANNY HATHAWAY whom he never met in the flesh, but had the pleasure of meeting musically. 5. GEOFFERY CHUNG who produced my his first international hit “RAIN” 6. MARK BOLAN – T/REX whom he met. 7. SLADE whom he met.
[edit] Collaborations
ARTISTS WHOM HE APPEARED WITH
STEVIE WONDER, DIANA ROSS, MARTHA REEVES AND THE VANDELLES, BENNY HILL, GILBERT O’SULLIVAN, TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS, JIMMY CLIFF, DESMOND DEKKER, NICKY THOMAS, GEOFFREY CHUNG, LLOYD CHARMERS, MARK BOLAN – T/REX, SLADE, MOTOWN REVUE, JOHNNY NASH, THE ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA (ELO), THE TEMPTATIONS, BOB MONKHOUSE, MADELINE BELL, LES DAWSON, KENN DODD, HEATWAVE to name but a few.
