Levi Stubbs: The Four Tops 1936-2008 (Video, Photos)

The Four Tops

Levi Stubbs 1936-2008

of the Four Tops has died at age 72 in Detroit, Michigan. The famed singer, the cousin of soul singer, had been in failing health since 2000, when he was forced to retire from the group because of a cancer diagnosis. He had since suffered a stroke.

Stubbs formed a doo-wop quartet in 1954 with three friends who were first known as The Four Aims. They became the Four Tops in 1956. They first gained a following as a club act. They signed with Motown Records in 1963 and quickly notched up a string of hits that have endured as classics for more than 40 years.

Hits that featured Stubbs singing lead vocals include Reach Out I'll Be There, I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Love) and Standing in the Shadows of Love. The group received their star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1990.

Group members include Renaldo Benson, who died of lung cancer in 2005 and Lawrence Payton, who died of liver cancer in 1997. The only surviving member of the original group is Abdul 'Duke' Fakir.

Stubbs is survived by his wife of 48 years, Clineice Stubbs and five children.

Check out his beautiful rendition of I Believe in You and Me (1982) below.







