The Four Tops may have been one of Motown’s biggest groups in the ’60s, but they seemed to exist in a world beyond Motown. Unlike many of the label’s own hand-groomed and manufactured bands, the quartet was around long before Motown started, and its original lineup continued decades after most Motown bands had become tribute acts filled with ringers. Mostly, though, the band differed from other Motown acts thanks to the sheer drama of frontman Levi Stubbs’ voice. His baritone had a particular pleading, crying quality that marked hits both upbeat ("I Can’t Help Myself," embedded above, "Shake Me Wake Me,") and grim and frightening ("Bernadette," "Standing in the Shadows of Love"). Not for nothing did Billy Bragg title his hit song "Levi Stubbs’ Tears."
The group’s best songs combined both approaches, as on their masterpiece "Reach Out I’ll Be There," where each verse ends with an unbearable buildup of tension, a nail-biting pause, and finally a triumphant resolution. Stubbs sang that song, as he did so many others, like a man drowning in fear and anxiously awaiting rescue.
Not that desperation was the only color available to him. HIs vocal performance as the man-eating plant in 1986’s Little Shop of Horrors revealed a Stubbs who could be seductive, lascivious, and menacing, and he also found a latter-day sideline doing voices for videogames.
The original Tops lineup stayed together for 43 years, until Lawrence Payton died in 1997, followed by Renaldo "Obie" Benson in 2005. Stubbs’ death today at age 72 leaves Abdul "Duke" Fakir the last surviving Top. We encourage you to watch the Four Tops in these clips (including some after the jump) and to share your memories of the band below.
"It’s the Same Old Song"
"Baby, I Need Your Lovin’"
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My mom and I were just talking today about how Levi Stubbs’ voice is what made The Four Tops a group to be reckoned with. I was saddened to come home and read of his passing. RIP Levi.
A truly magical voice is singing with the angels tonight.
One of my favorite bands ever, and Levi Stubbs was true to his band. Very class act and great voice. RIP
Thank God for youtube and the internet. They will live on forever.
RIP Levi. He was an incredible talent.
Gary you left off “Something About You.”One of the Four Tops best, if underrated songs. How disappointing!
Here’s the vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfZgyxaspF8&feature=related
Unforgettable, timeless, beautiful Levi Stubbs vocals, superb harmonies , great Holland-Dozier- Holland songs and impeccable arrangements made the Four Tops the greatest. Levi sang with such committment and passion. And his vocal asides were golden. “Just look over your shoulder!” “Huh!”
Oddly enough, the first clip you chose here is almost the antithesis of what made him so great. For the real deal check out “Mean Green Mother From Outer Space” from Little Shop of Horrors. (NSFW)
Checked out youtube this aft and found the Aretha tribute to him from a few years back. very touching…I couldn’t watch the whole thing.
Thank you, Levi Stubbs. Your voice made my life better and thank you for leaving so much soul with us in your recordings. Rest in peace.
We almost lost him 20 years ago when the Four Tops were booked on the fateful Pan Am flight that exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland due to terrorism. Fortunately for them, they missed the flight while taping a TV special in London.
I’ll always remember the final moments of the 1975 movie “Cooley High” for two reasons. First, Emmy winner Glynn Turman’s affecting performance as a Chicago high school student saying farewell to a fallen comrade.
Second, Levi Stubbs’ powerhouse vocals on the song that plays out the movie — “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)”.
playing Baby i need your loving brings so many memories of the 60s, and the great Levi’s voice brings tears to my eye’s
god bless you
I am devastated to hear of the death of Levi my all time favourite singer. I met him in the UK in 1973 after a concert.How many fans get to meet their idol? What a lovely man! What an icon! His music & legacy will live on. RIP Levi, I will always remember you.
Great tribute EW. One of my favorite songs is not that well known “It’s the way nature planned it” Just listen to the words, it will melt your heart. RIP Mr. Stubbs, your music will always live in my heart.
Growing up in Detroit in the 60s, I was inundated with the Motown sound, but the Four Tops were my favorite group. I was lucky enough to see them perform in the 80s with The Temptations. Many of my friends wondered why I wanted to attend an oldies concert, but I’m so glad I did.
Probably one of the highest compliments I ever received was an insult the the integrity of the performing company I was a part of. I provided the voice of Audrey II in a production of “Little Shop of Horrors” and our director was repeatedly questioned about how he merged the stage performers voices with the “plant’s voice from the movie”. Lol. Levi Stubbs had an amazing voice, and I look forward to hearing him lead a few solos in heaven’s choir.
If my life were a movie, the soundtrack would be full of Motown, but especially of The Four Tops. Having been privileged enough to see them intact in concert four times, the thought of not having Levi Stubbs living and breathing here on earth is devastating. However, I’ll always remember being in the front row one time and Levi handed my husband the mic to sing along with him. Even though I was the one who knew all the dance moves and was singing like a fool, Levi picked George. It’s still a bone of contention at our house and we only have Levi to thank. It’s a shame someone doesn’t start a Motown Fest (like they do with BeatleFest) so we can all “stand in the shadow of Motown” each year and celebrate the joyful yet bittersweet memories of when CKLW played Motown and the world seemed a smaller place. Rest in Peace, dear Levi. You owe me the mic next time.
One of my favorite male vocalists ever!! He will truly be missed=(
i’ll never forget audrey two, or twoey, as the plant was called. i saw the movie when i was 11 and asked my dad who levi stubbs was. the result was two days of bonding over the four tops and more motown. it changed my perspective on music. and i have levi to thank for that.
Mr. Levi Stubbs to me had the one voice that can never be duplicated and I’m just honored to have had the chance to have heard the best male vocalist to grace my ears. “I BELIEVE IN YOU AND ME.” Will always be my anthem, Thank You; Mr. Stubbs
If you REALLY want to hear his range, listen to “Ask The Lonely”.
R.I.P., Levi. You will be sorely missed.
Rick Krueger
Sitka, Alaska
levi you will be saddly missed RIP
“Ask The Lonely” indeed. Today, we are the loneliest ones you’ll see, Levi Stubbs. You will always be my favorite singer. And yes, of all your awesome songs, of all your great songs, “Ask The Lonely” is perhaps the most overwhelmingly awesome song I’ve ever heard, and definitely the most underrated record (yes, record) of all time. and although everything about that record is awesome, Levi Stubbs is… just overwhelmingly awesome… a 53 year old man (me) crying like a baby here… GOD BLESS LEVI STUBBS.
This man just had such an amazing voice – it just leapt off the vinyl. His hits and voice continued after Motown – I was old enough to appreciate the ABC hits, I had to learn about the Motown hits and when I heard them, Oh My God. My favorites of his are , “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” and “Still Waters”, a minor Motown hit written by Smokey Robinson.
Levi reached out and climbed into our hearts.His voice was
beyond magnificent.I hope, for the sake of all those who
are unfamiliar with Motown and its legacy,that you will
listen and be amazed at this music. Levi Stubbs and the
Four Tops stood for all the unification that Motown brought to turbulent racial tension of the ’60s.The Four Tops and Gladys Knight have always been my favorites.
The man had the most amazing voice and was such a spectacular performer.
(So totally loved him as the voice of Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors.) RIP
Much love, Levi. Be at Peace
I could barly hold bck “my tears” Levi and the Tops were a big part of my youth and I enjoyed them my whole Life . I saw them live less than a dozen time but I saw to it that my kids were introduced to them and it was great.
Anyone who has seen the Four Tops perform with Levi, From the moment he takes the stage by his lonesome, opening up the show with his masterful voice on MacArthur Park, you know the void that will never be filled again. The tops were and always will be my favorite group of all time not only because Levi was the best vocalist in the Motown stable but also because of the stability and loyalty they displayed in their music and in their lives. The songs and the music speak for themselves. They will always be here, but after seeing the Tops with Levi perform since I was only 14 dozens of times, at all different types of venues, I can’t believe and I am deeply saddened by the loss of such a great American icon’s voice. My sympathies to his familiy and all motown music lovers everywhere who share in this sad event. We can all take comfort in the fact that that the musical legacy left behind will always be here for our enjoyment.
The Four Tops are one of my favorite groups–just LOVE Motown!! I have their songs on my ringtones, and it always brings a smile to my face as I start to dance to the music, and almost miss taking the phone call!! I will always remember Levi’s wonderful voice in “Little Shop of Horrors” saying “FEEEED MEEEEEE” A wonderful and talented singer,who part part of a great group!! I will always get up and dance to “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch” no matter where or when I hear it played!!
Several bloggers have already written similar remarks but I have to repeat…the world has lost a truly unique, soulful and dynamic voice in Levi Stubbs . I was 14 years old when “Baby I Need Your Loving was released and hit the charts”. The songs and the way the 4Tops them were cosmopolitan, soulful, and relevant. Although I didn’t know Mr. Stubbs personally and had never seen the original group live (not due to lack of interest), I feel that I’ve personally lost someone who helped shape the fabric of my life. During my adolescence and young adult years…it seemed that Levi looked into my emotions and was advocating personally for me with his heart-felt emotive vocals. My prayers go out to his immediate family, his Four Top family and all who played a part in making possible for the world to experience this talented, soulful, gifted man and group. After Friday, sure feels like I’ve gotten a bit older and the world a bit colder. Levi,Hope to see you in heaven one fine day!
i remember seeing a documentary on the tops a few years ago and motown wanted to change their names to Levi Stubbs and the Tops but he would have none of that, they were really all true friends. Levi was a class act. RIP
He WAS Audrey II, period. Even if he did not voice it in the off broadway musical. His voice and his humor made it work. As for the Four Tops, he took The Left Bank’s “Walk Away, Renee” and made it into an even more dramatic song than it had been. Reach Out (I’ll Be There)? It’s one of the most strongest love songs ever.
Man, was Levi a great singer! Love the Four Tops, and his voice was the main reason why! He’s joined Marvin, Jackie, Ray, and many other greats on that ‘Nightshift.’ Godspeed, Levi…….