Posted on 10/17/2008 9:10:28 AM PDT by lunarbicep
Arguably the most powerful voice in Motown's storied history has been silenced. Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs, Jr., died today (Oct. 17) at his home in Detroit after a long series io illnesses -- including cancer and a stroke -- that forced him to stop performing in 2000. He was 72.
Funeral arrangements are pending for Stubbs, who is survived by Clineice, his wife of 48 years, and five children.
"He had one of the most prolific and identifiably voices in American history," the Motown Alumni Association's Billy J. Wilson tells Billboard.com. "It's a deep loss, to the entire Motown family and to the world."
Stubbs' death leaves Abdul "Duke" Fakir as the Tops' only living member from the original quartet, which formed in 1954 as the Four Aims and signed with Motown nine years later. Laurence Payton passed away in 1997, and Renaldo "Obie" Benson died in 2005.
Fakir continues to lead a version of the Tops that includes Payton's son Roquel, former Temptations member Theo Peoples and Motown veteran Ronnie McNeir.
Stubbs -- born Levi Stubbles in Detroit -- gave voice to enduring hits such as "Baby I Need Your Loving," "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)," "Reach Out I'll Be There," "Brenadette" and others. The Tops have sold more than 50 million records and racked up 45 chart hits for the Motown, ABC Dunhill, Arista and Casablanca labels, and the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
(Excerpt) Read more at billboard.com ...
One of my favorites. Sad to loose a great one.
RIP; also voice of Audrey II in 1986 version of Little Shop of Horrors. “I’m just a mean green mother from outer space and I’m bad...”
“FEEEEEEEED me, Seymo’!”
What a great singer. Shame.
RIP!
He was one of the best ever. Here they are in concert 2004.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyvLmNNtsKc
Levi Stubbs as good as ever...maybe better. Sad to hear the news of his passing. Prayers for his loved ones.
Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch
You know that I love you
I can’t help myself
I love you and nobody else
The Four Tops should have been named Levi Stubbs and friends. Levi was the whole show.
I really enjoyed that concert. RIP, Levi.
http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=Le8xJlhZAGA&feature=related
http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=jBPnDx2PYqk&feature=related
Prayers to his family.
Thanks for the great vocals Levi.
Prayers to his family. I’m saddened to hear this. My favorite Four Tops song is Seven Room of Gloom. So melodramatic and Gothic. Love it.
My favorite record by the Four Tops is “Could it be You?” (Chess #1623, 1956)—the first disc they waxed under that name.
RIP, Mr. Stubbs. And thanks for all the wonderful memories!
I love the Tops. Much better than the Temptations, in my opinion.
Cross reference to another thread.
RIP Mr. Stubbs
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2108171/posts?page=10
OMG I forgot about Little Shops of Horrors
FEEE ME SEYMOND FEED MEEE LOL!
Seymore. (Said the Broadway theater geek. LOL)
OH OKAY LOL!
I thought Seymond never mind
I don’t know if you know this but they try Issac Hayes do voice he was too busy doing something LOL!
I didn’t know that
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