Posted October 18, 200816 yr from BBC: Four Tops star Levi Stubbs dies Levi Stubbs, lead singer of legendary Motown band The Four Tops, has died at his home in Detroit, US, aged 72. The performer, who had suffered ill-health for several years, passed away in his sleep. Abdul Fakir is the only surviving original member of the group, which has sold more than 50m records. The Detroit band became one of Motown Records' biggest successes, scoring hits including Bernadette and Reach Out (I'll Be There). Founding members Lawrence Payton and Obie Benson died in 1997 and 2005 respectively. Audley Smith, of the Motown Historical Museum, said that Levi Stubbs had a voice as unique as Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson or Stevie Wonder. "[He] fits right up there with all the icons of Motown," he said. Levi Stubbs was born in 1936 in Detroit and met Abdul "Duke" Fakir at High School. The Four Tops were one of Motown's biggest successes They met Payton and Benson while singing at a mutual friend's birthday party. In 1953, they formed a group called The Four Aims and signed a deal with Chess Records. Later they changed their names to the Four Tops to avoid being confused with the Ames Brothers. The group signed with Motown Records in 1963 and produced 20 Top-40 hits over the following 10 years, making music history with other acts in Berry Gordy's Motown stable. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Stubbs is survived by his wife Clineice, five children and 11 grandchildren.
October 19, 200816 yr thats sad news, he had a very distinctive voice that was almost the archytypal 'sound of motown' in the 60's. he has left us with a legacy of work that still sounds good today.
October 19, 200816 yr Author thats sad news, he had a very distinctive voice that was almost the archytypal 'sound of motown' in the 60's. he has left us with a legacy of work that still sounds good today. then again seeing as the four tops will be on tour for about the next 50 years this is a good thing (tho obv there is only one original top left with various ex-temps and the like making up the number...its like Menudo but on a grander scale)
October 20, 200816 yr I love The Four Tops, Bernadette and I'll Be There are 2 of my favourite motown tracks.
October 20, 200816 yr A perfect occasion to post this. Billy Bragg - Levi Stubbs Tears ejWqSi1OucA With the money from her accident She bought herself a mobile home So at least she could get some enjoyment Out of being alone No one could say that she was left up on the shelf It's you and me against the World kid she mumbled to herself CHORUS: When the world falls apart some things stay in place Levi Stubbs' tears run down his face She ran away from home on her mother's best coat She was married before she was even entitled to vote And her husband was one of those blokes The sort that only laughs at his own jokes The sort a war takes away And when there wasn't a war he left anyway Norman Whitfield and Barratt Strong Are here to make everything right that's wrong Holland and Holland and Lamont Dozier too Are here to make it all okay with you One dark night he came home from the sea And put a hole in her body where no hole should be It hurt her more to see him walking out the door And though they stitched her back together they left her heart in pieces on the floor When the world falls apart some things stay in place She takes off the Four Tops tape and puts it back in its case When the world falls apart some things stay in place Levi Stubbs' tears...
October 20, 200816 yr Some of their Greatest Hits Baby I Need Your Lovin' 0HQEhuylZmg When She Was My Girl Ejg-22i4VYQ Bernadette IaXX5xFcm8E It's The Same Old Song x55tMpAHuI8 Reach Out I'll Be There 27zvHNjdGlU Don't Walk Away FS2Z_4ZfkyE I Can't Help Myself BV4aII5yqzc
October 21, 200816 yr Levi Stubbs had one hell of an emotional & powerful voice and The Four Tops made a lot of great singles. RIP.
October 22, 200816 yr Always like listening to the Four Tops, mosts of their hits will be remembered well into the future.
October 25, 200816 yr Author im rather shocked that this thread hasnt had many more replies... :unsure: well maybe thats because it was posted by me..still convinced there's some very petty petty people around here still holding personal vendettas when it should only be about the music....but at least its picked up since Music Master posted some clips
October 25, 200816 yr well maybe thats because it was posted by me..still convinced there's some very petty petty people around here still holding personal vendettas when it should only be about the music....but at least its picked up since Music Master posted some clips yeah but alex.... you often get carried away and get side tracked on some bizarre trip. you are hard to follow, so maybe some people just dont bother trying to follow you..
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