The Moody Blues and the Four Tops, two legends of music, once worked together in an international collaboration in the early 1970s. At the time, Motown and the British Invasion artists reigned on the radio, and the two groups were at the forefront of the airwaves. The Moody Blues were reborn into a new sound with the addition of guitarist Justin Hayward, transforming their post-“Go Now” sound into the explorations of symphonically-infused rock and the new sonic possibilities of stereo. The Four Tops were one of the bands to establish the Motown Sound. The legendary Holland-Dozier-Holland writing team continued to develop the group’s dynamic vocal range through the changing times, tastes, and sound technology.
It was a common practice of the era for bands to record and perform covers. Aretha Franklin famously recorded a version of “Let It Be,” which turns 50 this year, after hearing a demo Paul McCartney sent.
It was a common practice of the era for bands to record and perform covers. Aretha Franklin famously recorded a version of “Let It Be,” which turns 50 this year, after hearing a demo Paul McCartney sent.
- 4/13/2020
- by Mike Cecchini
- Den of Geek
Four Tops star Levi Stubbs has passed away, aged 72. The Motown legend died in his sleep at his home in Detroit last week. Stubbs is survived by his wife Clineice, five children and 11 grandchildren. Stubbs's death means that Abdul Fakir is the only original member of the Four Tops still alive. Lawrence Payton and Obie Benson died in 1997 and 2005 respectively. The Four Tops sold over 50 million records worldwide (more)...
- 10/20/2008
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Legendary Four Tops singer Levi Stubbs has died after a long illness, aged 72.
Stubbs, a cousin of R+B legend Jackie Wilson, died on Friday at his home in Detroit, Michigan. The exact cause of death had not been released as WENN went to press.
The star sang lead on some of the vocal group's most memorable hits, including Reach Out I'll Be There, I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch), Baby I Need Your Loving, and Standing in the Shadows of Love.
Born Levi Stubbles in Detroit in 1936, the singer formed a doo-wop quartet with his friends Abdul 'Duke' Fakir, Renaldo 'Obie' Benson and Lawrence Payton in 1954.
Initially going under the moniker Four Aims, the band changed its name to Four Tops in 1956 and gained a following as a club act. After signing to Motown Records in 1963, the group notched up a string of hits which have endured as classics for more than 40 years.
The group continued to tour, but Stubbs stepped down from his role in 2000 after he was diagnosed with cancer. He later suffered a stroke, and had been in poor health ever since.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Clineice, and their five children.
Stubbs, a cousin of R+B legend Jackie Wilson, died on Friday at his home in Detroit, Michigan. The exact cause of death had not been released as WENN went to press.
The star sang lead on some of the vocal group's most memorable hits, including Reach Out I'll Be There, I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch), Baby I Need Your Loving, and Standing in the Shadows of Love.
Born Levi Stubbles in Detroit in 1936, the singer formed a doo-wop quartet with his friends Abdul 'Duke' Fakir, Renaldo 'Obie' Benson and Lawrence Payton in 1954.
Initially going under the moniker Four Aims, the band changed its name to Four Tops in 1956 and gained a following as a club act. After signing to Motown Records in 1963, the group notched up a string of hits which have endured as classics for more than 40 years.
The group continued to tour, but Stubbs stepped down from his role in 2000 after he was diagnosed with cancer. He later suffered a stroke, and had been in poor health ever since.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Clineice, and their five children.
- 10/17/2008
- WENN
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