The Four Tops are an American Motown musical quartet, whose repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul music, R&B, disco, adult contemporary, and showtunes. Founded in Detroit, Michigan as The Four Aims, lead singer Levi Stubbs and groupmates Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Renaldo "Obie" Benson, and Lawrence Payton remained together for over four decades, finally forced to endure a lineup change when Payton died in 1997. At that time, Theo Peoples was added to the lineup; Peoples later replaced Stubbs, who fell ill from cancer, and Ronnie McNair assumed Peoples' spot.
In July, 2005, Benson died of lung cancer with Payton's son Roquel replacing him. And as of April, 2005, Fakir, McNair, Payton and Peoples still perform together as The Four Tops.Among a number of groups who helped define the Motown Sound of the 1960s, including The Miracles, The Marvelettes, The Temptations, and The Supremes, The Four Tops were notable for having Stubbs, a baritone, as their lead singer; most groups of the time were fronted by a tenor.
The group was the main male vocal group for the songwriting and production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, who crafted for the group a stream of popular hit singles, including two #1 hits: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" and "Reach Out I'll Be There".
After Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown in 1967, the Four Tops were assigned to a number of producers, primarily Frank Wilson.
When Motown left Detroit in 1972 to move to Los Angeles, California, the Tops stayed in Detroit and moved over to ABC Records, where they continued to have charting singles into the late-1970s.
Since the 1980s, The Four Tops have recorded for, at various times, Motown, Casablanca Records, and Arista Records. They still tour and make concert appearances. They were always one of my favorite Motown artist. They had so much class and charm and an act that was unmistakable. My favorite hit is "I Can't Help Myself" which is one of the finest examples of the music that made Barry Gordy a living legend. Find out more about them at: www.vocalgroup.org/inductees/the_four_tops.html
Research info provided by: www.allmusic.com
Visit my ezine: http://www.concelebratory.blogspot.com/
and perosnal blog: http://www.copyat5.blogspot.com/
After Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown in 1967, the Four Tops were assigned to a number of producers, primarily Frank Wilson.
When Motown left Detroit in 1972 to move to Los Angeles, California, the Tops stayed in Detroit and moved over to ABC Records, where they continued to have charting singles into the late-1970s.
Since the 1980s, The Four Tops have recorded for, at various times, Motown, Casablanca Records, and Arista Records. They still tour and make concert appearances. They were always one of my favorite Motown artist. They had so much class and charm and an act that was unmistakable. My favorite hit is "I Can't Help Myself" which is one of the finest examples of the music that made Barry Gordy a living legend. Find out more about them at: www.vocalgroup.org/inductees/the_four_tops.html
Research info provided by: www.allmusic.com
Visit my ezine: http://www.concelebratory.blogspot.com/
and perosnal blog: http://www.copyat5.blogspot.com/
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