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Four Tops Singer Levi Stubbs Dies at 72

Levi Stubbs, the gruff-voiced yet exceedingly expressive frontman of soul music giants the Four Tops, has passed away at age 72 in his Detroit home. The powerful lead singer on hit singles including 'I Can't Help Myself,' 'It's the Same Old Song,' 'Reach Out I'll Be There,' 'Standing in the Shadows of Love' and 'Bernadette' in the 1960s, Stubbs had been ill in recent years, having recently been debilitated by a stroke and cancer that forced his retirement in 2000.

The Four Tops began their career around 1953 in Detroit as the Four Aims and, after a name change, signed to Berry Gordy's Motown label in 1963. After a commercially and creatively fertile career at the legendary hitmaking factory, in which they were under the care of the acclaimed songwriting and production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, the Tops' hit string continued in the '70s on ABC-Dunhill with songs such as 'Keeper of the Castle' and 'Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got).' The original quartet remained together for an astounding 44 years, until the death of Lawrence Payton in 1997. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

The Four Tops Pictures

    The Four Tops

    Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

    The Four Tops in the mid 1960s.

    Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

    The Four Tops pose at Heathrow airport in London on Nov. 16, 1966 en route to the United States. From left to right are: Abdul Fakir, Levi Stubbs, Lawrence Payton and Renaldo Benson.

    AP

    The Four Tops in the 1970s.

    Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

    The Four Tops -- Abdul "Duke" Fakir (left), Levi Stubbs (center) and Renaldo "Obie" Benson (right) -- are shown as their star was unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Wednesday, April. 23, 1997 in Hollywood. Lawrence Payton, the fourth member, did not attend due to illness.

    Nick Ut, AP

    **FILE** In this Wednesday, May 26, 2004 file photo, Four Tops member Levi Stubbs, seated, is introduced by Michigan state Sen. Irma Clark-Coleman, foreground left, to a session of the state Senate in Lansing, Mich. Four Tops frontman Levi Stubbs died Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, at his home in Detroit. He was 72. Also pictured , from the left, are Stubbs' wife, Clineice Stubbs; fellow Four Tops member, Abdul Fakir; Yone Payton, the wife of deceased member, Lawrence Payton, and fellow Four Tops member, Renaldo Benson. (AP Photo/Kevin W. Fowler, File)

    AP

    ** FILE ** The late Lawrence Payton, shown at far right poses with the rest of the Four Tops, from left, Renaldo "Obie" Benson, Abdul "Duke" Fakir and Levi Stubbs in this January, 1990 file photo. Four Tops frontman Levi Stubbs died Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, at his home in Detroit. He was 72. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm, File)

    AP

    **FILE** In a in March 1986 file photo, The Four Tops are shown during a recording session in New York. Standing from left to right are, Lawrence Payton, Levi Stubbs, Abdul "Duke" Fakir, and seated is Renaldo "Obie" Benson. Four Tops frontman Levi Stubbs died Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, at his home in Detroit. He was 72. (AP Photo/David Bookstaver, File)

    AP


Stubbs also put his distinctive vocal talents to good use as the voice of the killer plant Audrey II in the 1986 film 'Little Shop of Horrors.' And while the Four Tops brand carries on with replacements, with Abdul "Duke" Fakir being the only surviving member (Renaldo "Obie" Benson died in 2005), it can be said that the group ceased to exist in any appreciable form once Levi Stubbs' robust baritone no longer led the charge.

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Jeanne

I find it unbelieveable to read some of these horrendous comments. To this day "Baby I Need Your Loving" gets played at my home at least once a day. I don't care a fig about politics...the man was a musical legend and deserves all respect for touching the hearts of at least two generations. His voice lives on in my life, takes me back to better days and I miss the music.

April 17 2010 at 1:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chris Dougherty

A true talent. Heaven's sounding better and better with all that Motown talent up there.

October 26 2008 at 7:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Wally

He was a great American and his voice and spirt we live forever !!!

October 18 2008 at 11:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kevin Garder ESQ

So many of us from the 60's generation in Calif. have so many thanks to give to Mr. Stubbs and the 4-Tops .
We grew up with these guys playing on our car radio's and at home on 45's and albums . You , The Temps and The Supremes helped us to grow to be decent people in society .... So much has come and gone since Motown was new , so I can only hope & prey that we , as a generation , hand down this wonderful music that was created to the upcomming kid's and grand kid's to enjoy. Thank you Levi , for all you gave us . Kevin Garder & Billie Jean Parker

October 18 2008 at 11:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
SHARON LYNN

Rest in Peace Levi Stubbs!

October 18 2008 at 1:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kagome

He will be missed by everyone and His Fans & friends and family. Another great singer that has left us and a another voice silenced In R& B and Rock n Roll music to join that BIG Rock n Roll Group in Heaven. RIP and thanks for the music My prayers go out to His family and friends God Blass you Levi

October 17 2008 at 11:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Moonlighter

My favourite R/B group.My favorite song " that's the way nature planned it". Levi, good bye Rest in peace Brother. You were loved more than you ever knew.

October 17 2008 at 10:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nick

My deepest sympathy goes out to the family. So much talent.....what a down to earth gentlemen to converse with. It was an honor to bodyguard and drive Levi and the rest of the group when they preformed in Ft. Lauderdale @ my cousins night club "Michaels" back in the 80's. May God bless his soul.....
Nicholas.....

October 17 2008 at 9:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Robin

Levi will be truly missed. The Four Tops, The Temptations can just about have their battle of the bands in heaven now. Still Waters Run Deep. Rest in peace, Levi, Obie, Payton along with your brothers Paul, Eddie, David and Melvin and let's not forget Marvin.

October 17 2008 at 9:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Good4Will

The passing of this soulful singer will be honored in our home. We are in our 50s and 60s. We grew up on the music that Levi made so popular. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family. We, too, are feeling sad because of his passing.

October 17 2008 at 9:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply