I remember seeing him on one of those PBS oldies specials a few years ago, and was hurt that he couldn't even speak at that point. RIP

carlcranshaw said:

Damn.

Thank yous o much for posting the last clip.....Sigh. Made me emotional.

I was crying my eyes out when I saw that on TV.

Awwwww Such a moving video clip. Aretha and Levi had been friends for years, that was a really nice tribute she did for him.

I have always felt that The Four Tops songs had more depth and were more warm than the Temptations songs.

For "Still Waters" alone I think they were the better group.

whatsgoingon said:

I agree now looking back at it.

midnightmover said:

this was is the perfect clip!

whatsgoingon said:

I feel the same way. I've always respected the fact also that the Tops, especially Levi, didn't get caught up in drama and DIVA shit.

Here's a great Four Tops live performance:

shesoffthewall said:

yeah thats what makes them stand out the most because it seems they didn't have a problem with a bunch of ego trippin'.

whatsgoingon said:

and here you go, the Temps vs. The Tops:

whatsgoingon said:

I've preferred the Tops for as long as I can remember, but I love them both.

missfee said:

I agree! After that clip, nothing more should be said.

shesoffthewall said:

I always prefered the 4 tops too. Levi had such an amazing voice, even in the clip with Aretha, although he was sick he still sounded great. I am sad that i never got to see them live on stage. Have their greatest hits cd fave track Baby I need Your Lovin brilliant song, I always have that one on repeat.

purplecorvette1 said:

When I heard his voice, he hadn't lost that magic. But you know he was hurting because the stroke forced him in the wheelchair and he couldn't really finish it so he had Aretha and Theo finish it for him. I was like this - - when he was on stage. That was an emotional moment for me.

Motown Legends Gather To Mourn Four Tops' Stubbs
October 28, 2008
Link

Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. and performer Smokey Robinson were among the mourners at a funeral service Monday for Levi Stubbs, frontman for the Four Tops.

"He will always be here," Robinson said. "You're going to turn on the radio and hear him tomorrow. He made his mark on the world. All of the world, you'll be able to hear Levi Stubbs forever."

Stubbs died in his sleep Oct. 17 at his Detroit home. He was 72.

His dynamic and emotive voice drove Motown classics such as Reach Out (I'll Be There) and Baby I Need Your Loving.

"He made us walk in his shoes, felt what he felt and loved what he loved," Gordy said. "He not only sang the song, he was the song."

The funeral service at Greater Grace Temple reflected on Stubbs' importance to Motown, music and his hometown of Detroit. Members of the city council read two resolutions, including one that marked June 6 as Levi Stubbs Day.

"He stayed in Detroit," Councilwoman JoAnn Watson said. "He could have gone anywhere, but he stayed with his wife, stayed with his group, stayed with the Four Tops."

The Rev. Jesse Jackson called the Four Tops "a family story," remarking on the group's decades together under Stubbs' leadership.

"You just do not find an Aretha Franklin," Jackson said. "You don't find a Marvin Gaye. You don't find a Smokey Robinson. You don't find a Levi Stubbs. They don't come in bunches like grapes. They are rare pearls."