The Four Tops

 

The Four Tops | Public | tc 168

The Four Tops were: 

lead singer and actor Levi Stubbs, who was born Levi Stubbles in Detroit on June 6, 1936, was related to Jackie Wilson and the brother of The Falcons’ Joe Stubbs, and died in his sleep on October 17, 2008; 

Abdul Kareem “Duke” Fakir who was born in Detroit on December 26, 1935 and died of heart failure on 22 July 2024; 

Singer and composer Renaldo “Obie” Benson who was born in Detroit on June 14, 1936 and died from cardiac arrest and lung cancer on July 1, 2005; and 

Singer, musician, arranger, record producer Lawrence Albert Payton Sr, who was born in Detroit on March 2, 1938 and died from cancer of the liver on June 20, 1997. He was responsible for working out the groups harmonies, and could also sing lead.

There have been other members and Lawrence Payton Jr. is currently touring with the latest lineup of the Four Tops.

They were originally called The Four Aims but changed the name of the group when they signed to Chess in 1956. Their tenures at Chess and subsequent companies were not successful until they were invited to join Motown in 1964, which turned out to be a good career move. With Motown they enjoyed becoming one of the most successful vocal groups with a string of major hits during the 1960s, and awards.