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Four Tops star Levi Stubbs dies Four Tops star Levi Stubbs dies
(about 3 hours later)
Levi Stubbs, who sang on Motown band the Four Tops' biggest hits, has died at his home in Detroit aged 72. Levi Stubbs, lead singer of legendary Motown band The Four Tops, has died at his home in Detroit, US, aged 72.
The singer, who had not toured with the group for several years because of ill health, passed away in his sleep. The performer, who had suffered ill-health for several years, passed away in his sleep.
Abdul Fakir is the only surviving original member of the group, who have sold more than 50 million records. Abdul Fakir is the only surviving original member of the group, which has sold more than 50m records.
The Detroit band became one of Motown Records' biggest successes, scoring hits including Bernadette and Reach Out (I'll Be There).The Detroit band became one of Motown Records' biggest successes, scoring hits including Bernadette and Reach Out (I'll Be There).
Founding members Lawrence Payton and Obie Benson died in 1997 and 2005 respectively.The Four Tops were one of Motown's biggest successes Founding members Lawrence Payton and Obie Benson died in 1997 and 2005 respectively.
The Four Tops began singing together in the 1950s under the name the Four Aims, before signing with Motown Records in 1963. Audley Smith, of the Motown Historical Museum, said that Levi Stubbs had a voice as unique as Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson or Stevie Wonder.
The band last appeared together in April on US TV's Late Show With David Letterman. "[He] fits right up there with all the icons of Motown," he said.
The group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Levi Stubbs was born in 1936 in Detroit and met Abdul "Duke" Fakir at High School.
The Four Tops were one of Motown's biggest successes
They met Payton and Benson while singing at a mutual friend's birthday party.
In 1953, they formed a group called The Four Aims and signed a deal with Chess Records.
Later they changed their names to the Four Tops to avoid being confused with the Ames Brothers.
The group signed with Motown Records in 1963 and produced 20 Top-40 hits over the following 10 years, making music history with other acts in Berry Gordy's Motown stable.
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
Stubbs is survived by his wife Clineice, five children and 11 grandchildren.