Lead singer of the Four Tops died

lead singer levi stubbs of the four tops died
motown will miss a great singer of time


Sad time at motown ...Levi Stubbs died
I remember growing up as a little boy in the 1960s listening to the
groups of four tops ,the supremes, and more of the motown clan ,The
four tops was my favorite male group at that time ...



Levi Stubbs, 72, Powerful Voice for Four Tops, Dies

The Four Tops in the mid-'60s. Clockwise from bottom left, Levi
Stubbs, Obie Benson, Abdul Fakir and Lawrence Payton.


Article Tools Sponsored By
By MICHELINE MAYNARD
Published: October 17, 2008

DETROIT — Levi Stubbs, the gravelly-voiced, imploring lead singer of
the Motown group the Four Tops, who stood out in 1960s pop classics
like "Reach Out, I'll Be There," and "Bernadette," died on Friday at
his home here. He was 72.

The Four Tops, from left, in 1990: Renaldo "Obie" Benson, Levi Stubbs,
Abdul "Duke" Fakir and Lawrence Payton.



The Four Tops' Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Citation
Back Story With The Times's Micheline Maynard (mp3)
Enlarge This Image
Ron Frehm/Associated Press

The Four Tops, from left, in 1990: Renaldo "Obie" Benson, Levi Stubbs,
Abdul "Duke" Fakir and Lawrence Payton.

His death was confirmed by the office of the Wayne County Medical
Examiner. No cause was given. Mr. Stubbs had had a series of
illnesses, including a stroke and cancer, that forced him to stop
performing in 2000, although he briefly participated in the Four Tops'
50th-anniversary concert in 2004, which was broadcast on public
television.

Formed while its original members were in high school, the Four Tops
were one of the most successful groups of the 20th century. They had
more than 40 hits on the Billboard pop charts, including their first
No. 1 single, "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" in 1965.

Hugely popular abroad as well as in the United States, the group
became a linchpin of Motown Records, the Detroit label started by
Berry Gordy Jr., and was second only to the Temptations, with whom it
was often compared, in popularity among its male artists. In 1990 the
Four Tops were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Unlike the Temptations, whose members regularly changed, the Tops
exhibited extraordinary loyalty, with the original four remaining
together for more than 40 years. In fact, they began their singing
career almost a decade before joining Motown in 1963.

In 1953 Mr. Stubbs, a student at Pershing High School in Detroit, and
his friend Abdul Fakir, known as Duke, attended a birthday party at
which they met two other founding members of the group, Renaldo
Benson, known as Obie and Lawrence Payton, who were students at
Northern High School.

(Mr. Fakir, who continues to perform with the Tops' current lineup, is
now the last surviving member.)

Originally calling themselves the Four Aims, they were rechristened
the Four Tops in 1954 and signed with Chess Records, the Chicago
rhythm and blues label, in 1956.

It was clear from the beginning that Mr. Stubbs, with his booming,
rough-edged baritone, would be the lead singer, Mr. Fakir said in a
2004 interview. Yet many of his songs were written in a tenor range
that pushed his voice higher and made it sound urgent and pleading.
The following statement is from Berry Gordy about the death of Levi Stubbs.
Billy

--------------------------------------------------
BERRY GORDY STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF LEVI STUBBS


I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my friend, Levi Stubbs. It is
not only a tremendous personal loss for me, but for the Motown family, and
people all over the world who were touched by his rare voice and remarkable
spirit.

Levi was the greatest interpreter of songs I’ve ever heard. He was lead singer
of the greatest and most loving group, The Four Tops. I remember when we heard
their first Motown release, “Baby I Need Your Loving. Levi’s voice exploded in
the room and went straight for our hearts. We all knew it was a hit, hands
down.

He could easily have made it as a solo star, but his love and loyalty for Obie,
Lawrence and Duke kept them together longer than any group I know. His
integrity and character were impeccable. I have never seen a more dedicated
person—to his wife, his group, his friends.
He was my first choice for the romantic lead in “Lady Sings the Blues.” Levi
had the looks, the stature and the street smarts of a Louis MacKay. He was on
the road with The Four Tops when I contacted him. But he refused the role
because he thought it would interfere with the group’s future success.

I loved his hit songs for Motown, like "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey
Bunch)," "Reach Out (I'll Be There)," "Standing in the Shadows of Love,"
“MacArthur Park” and "Bernadette," But also outside of Motown, his rendition
of “I Believe in You and Me” was incredible. I’ve heard no one better.

I want to express my heartfelt sympathy to his wife, Clineice and children, to
Duke and other family members and friends.

He will be really missed.

Berry Gordy