In the photo, Stubb is seated at the right.
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October 17, 2008


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.

Stubbs also provided the voice of Audrey II, the man-eating plant in the film version of the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" in 1986, and of Mother Brain in the 1989 animated TV series "Captain N: The Game Master."

Stubbs' last public appearance with the group came at the group's 50th Anniversary Concert on July 28, 2004 at Detroit's Music Hall Center.

luther vandross said levi's voice was an inspiration to him.

both gone now. i'm sad.

Awww. so sorry to hear that. The Four Tops, my all time forever Motown favorites. May he rest in peace and prayers to his family. The music industry lost a Motown icon.

I was gonna say on the Norman Whitfield thread that Levi would be joining him soon. Sadly, this is not a surprise. Levi left his mark though. His voice ain't goin' nowhere.

Awww, damn! RIP Levi!

Nooooo Words can't even say how powerful and soulful that man's voice was. May he rest in peace.

My favorite Four Tops songs:
Baby I Need Your Loving


Still Water

Stubbs had a strong operatic voice like his cousin Jackie Wilson.

He suffered for too long. Thank God for releasing him from his misery. He'll be deeply missed.

Now like Otis Williams of the Temptations, Abdul "Duke" Fakir is now the only original Four Top alive.

to a fallen Motown hero.

shesoffthewall said:

Great picks, sugapiehoneybunch.

Speaking of that...

RIP.

Billy Bragg - 'Levi Stubbs' Tears'


I once owned this single when I lived for a brief period in the UK.
[Edited 10/17/08 10:30am]

RIP soul man, you'll be missed.

"Baby I Need Your Lovin'"

I always favored the Four Tops over the Temps. They are underrated.

My favorite song by them, is a little known record called "The Good Lord Knows". Does anybody know that one?

God bless....RIP....What a voice...

Well damn...

You will be missed, Levi.

Goodbye

One of their final Motown charted singles:

RIP Levi
thanks for the memories

WT???? I'm in Detroit and the first I've heard of this is on Prince.org!! Oh heads are going to roll!!!

RIP Mr. Stubbs

Classic voice of soul RIP!
[Edited 10/17/08 17:07pm]

funkpill said:

R.I.P.

Wow.....RIP Levi Stubbs , Obie Benson 2005 , Laurence Payton 1997 ..I can't believe 3/4 of the Tops are gone.

BUMP.

RIP

Can we get a sticky for this please ?

R.I.P. Mr. Stubbs.

My favorite Tops record:

"It's the Same Old Song"