Four Tops
The Four Tops' story is one of togetherness and success. These Motown legends teamed up in high school, spent over four decades together without a personnel change, and in between became a top-tier act on a label with no shortage of talent, ranking with the Temptations and the Supremes as its most consistent hitmakers. Where many other R&B vocal groups spotlighted a tenor, the Four Tops were fronted by deep-voiced Levi Stubbs -- who had all the grit of a gospel-trained soul belter -- yet the Tops' creamy harmonies, filled out by Duke Fakir, Obie Benson, and Lawrence Payton, were smooth enough for Motown's pop-soul productions. From 1964-1967, the group recorded some of the greatest and most popular Holland-Dozier-Holland compositions, including "Reach Out, I'll Be There," "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)," "Standing in the Shadows of Love," "Bernadette," and "Baby I Need Your Loving." When Motown moved to Los Angeles in the early '70s, the Tops remained in Detroit and enjoyed a renaissance with the ABC-Dunhill imprint, highlighted in 1973 by "Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got)," among several additional Top Ten R&B hits. Through the '80s, they continued to perform and tour, scored the occasional comeback hit, and were briefly reunited with Motown. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees in 1990, the group released their last studio recording in 1995, remained intact until Payton's death two years later, and continued through the deaths of Benson and Stubbs the following decade. Fakir continues to lead the Four Tops as a beloved live act.
7 comments:
There's a new kid on the block! Wow! Great blog - great posting. Thanks!
Thank you anthony j
Many thanks for this post. Great blog!!! I'm searching for The Lettermen complete discography. I know that exist some albums and Cd's, but I only have the "greatest hits" Can you upload these albums or cd's? Thanks!!!
A Feast indeed. Thank you.
Hello Jaume,
Thank you for your kind words.
Regarding uploading the Lettermen albums, I can only upload from my collection of music if I have them, however, I think I have some among my stash :-)
Regards
Ozzieguy
Hello John
Many thanks, enjoy the music my friend.
Regards
Ozzieguy
Thank you!
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