More sad soul news…FOUR TOPS’ legendary lead singer LEVI STUBBS passed away at his Detroit home on Friday 17th October. He was 72. LEVI had been ill for some time. Several years ago he suffered a series of strokes which prevented him from working with his beloved group and latterly he’d been diagnosed with cancer. Born in 1936, LEVI formed a group – the FOUR AIMS – with high school buddies ABDUL FAKIR, RENALDO BENSON and LAWRENCE PAYTON in 1953. A deal with Chess and a name change to the FOUR TOPS bore little fruit but after signing with Motown in 1963 things began to change dramatically. They broke though in 1964 with the beautiful ‘Baby I Need Your Loving’ and any fan worth his soulful salt knows the rest. Anyone (like me) around in the 60s will attest to the fact that the FOUR TOPS – with LEVI STUBBS in full, powerful control – were at the vanguard of the Motown invasion of the UK and to this day the group have a huge, loyal fan base here. I was lucky enough to interview the FOUR TOPS on a couple of occasions. At the most recent interview, LEVI had retired due to ill health, so I took the opportunity to ask DUKE (as diplomatically as possible) why such a wonderful vocalist as LEVI had never gone solo. DUKE smiled and simply said that that the foursome were lifelong friends and that LEVI had never even dreamed of going it alone. He told me that when BERRY GORDY relocated to Los Angeles and started to make movies he tried to entice LEVI by offering him a part in ‘Lady Sings The Blues’. LEVI said that he’d only take the part if roles for the other three were forthcoming too! That’s loyalty – a loyalty embodied in one of the group’s lesser known songs – ‘The Four Of Us’… check it out to understand what friendship is all about. LEVI STUBBS was also a staunch family man. He leaves a wife of 48 years (CLINIECE), 5 children and 11 grand children and our condolences go out to them. Tributes have already started to flood in. SMOKEY ROBINSON said “LEVI STUBBS was on of THE great voices of all time. He was very near and dear to my heart.” BERRY GORDY added, “LEVI was the greatest interpreter of songs I’ve ever heard. He had a rare voice and remarkable spirit.” Strangely, though, the greatest tribute to the power, emotion, passion and soul of LEVI STUBBS’ remarkable voice was written some years ago by an Englishman…. BILLY BRAGG, no less, in his song ‘Levi Stubbs’ Tears’: “When the world falls apart some things stay the same. She takes off the Four Tops tape and puts it back in its case. When the world falls apart, some things stay in place. LEVI STUBBS’ tears run down his face”. (BB)
