Levi Stubbs

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Levi Stubbs
Motown

Levi Stubbs (born Levi Stubbles, June 6, 1936 – October 17, 2008) was an

hit records
during the 1960s and 1970s. He has been noted for his powerful, emotional, dramatic style of singing. In 1990, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Four Tops.

Stubbs was also a

Hall and Oates.[1]

Stubbs was born and spent much of his life in

Detroit, Michigan. He had five children with his wife Clineice Stubbs, to whom he was married for almost 50 years. His last performance was at the Four Tops' "50th Anniversary Concert" on July 28, 2004, at the Detroit Opera House.[1]

Early life and music career

Stubbs performing at New Rochelle High School, November 1966

Born in 1936 in Detroit, Stubbs had a brother,

Renaldo "Obie" Benson and Lawrence Payton, forming a singing group called the Four Aims in 1954.[4]

Two years later, after signing with

Loco In Acapulco
".

Despite being the most prominent member of the group, Stubbs refused to have separate billing (in contrast to other Motown acts such as

Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2013. They have sold over 50 million records worldwide.[4]

During the band's long career it was signed to the

War and Smokey Robinson of The Miracles, among many others.[1]

In 2000, Theo Peoples replaced Stubbs as lead singer after Stubbs suffered a stroke, with Ronnie McNeir taking the place that Lawrence Payton originally held. Renaldo Benson died on July 1, 2005, leaving Duke Fakir as the only surviving member of the Four Tops' original lineup.[5] Stubb's final performance with the Four Tops was at the group's "50th Anniversary Concert" on July 28, 2004, at the Detroit Opera House.[1]

Voice acting

Stubbs provided the voice of the carnivorous plant Audrey II in the 1986 film version of the

Mother Brain in the animated TV series Captain N: The Game Master (1989).[3]

Stubbs also guest-starred in a number of TV shows as himself. Berry Gordy offered him the role of Louis McKay in the 1972 film Lady Sings the Blues, which would have starred him opposite Diana Ross as Billie Holiday. Stubbs turned the role down, however, once again not wishing to overshadow the other members of the Four Tops.[5]

Reputation

Stubbs has been regarded by some as one of the quintessential male

Billboard.com he felt "blessed" to meet Stubbs, and thought that the Four Tops singer's "voice was so good he was just, like, from another planet."[1]

Personal life

Stubbs and his wife Clineice were married (for 48 years) from 1960 until his death in 2008. The couple had five children along with 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.[2]

Death

Stubbs was diagnosed with cancer in 1995, and after suffering a stroke in 2000, he was no longer able to tour with the Four Tops. He died in his sleep on October 17, 2008, at his home in Detroit.[1] A memorial service for Stubbs was held at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit on October 27. Many of Stubbs' friends from the music industry attended including Berry Gordy, Martha Reeves, Brian Holland, Ali-Ollie Woodson and Dennis Edwards. Detroit City Council member JoAnn Watson, along with Martha Reeves, presented a resolution naming Stubbs' birthday "Levi Stubbs Day" in Detroit.[9] Stubbs is interred at Detroit's historic Woodlawn Cemetery.[10]

Cultural references

Stubbs features in Billy Bragg's 1986 song "Levi Stubbs' Tears", about a woman whose Four Tops cassette brings her comfort through difficult times.[citation needed]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1986 Little Shop of Horrors Audrey II Voice; credited as Levi Stubbs of The Four Tops

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1989–1991 Captain N: The Game Master Mother Brain Voice; credited as Levi Stubbs Jr. (final appearance)

Soundtrack

Year Artist/Writer Song Film
1986 Howard Ashman & Alan Menken "Feed Me (Git It)"
"Suppertime"
"Mean Green Mother from Outer Space"
Little Shop of Horrors
2003 Lamont Dozier, Brian & Eddie Holland "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)"
Queer as Folk

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Graff, Gary (2008-10-17). "Four Tops Vocalist Levi Stubbs Dies At 72". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  2. ^ a b "Levi Stubbs". telegraph.co.uk. October 17, 2008.
  3. ^ a b Maynard, Micheline (October 17, 2008). "Levi Stubbs, 72, Powerful Voice for Four Tops, Dies". The New York Times.
  4. ^ a b c "Stars mourn Four Tops star Stubbs." BBC. Tuesday October 28, 2008. Retrieved on November 7, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d Jones, Steve (October 19, 2008). "The Four Tops' Levi Stubbs dies at 72". USA Today. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  6. ISBN 0899190251
    . Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  7. ^ Landau, Jon (November 18, 2008). "A Death in the Family". HuffPost. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  8. ^ Ed Hogan. "Reach Out, I'll Be There - The Four Tops | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  9. ^ Whitall, Susan; Brand-Williams, Oralandar (October 27, 2008). "Motown family gathers for Levi Stubbs' funeral". detroitnews.com.
  10. ISBN 978-0-814-33353-2
    .

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Levi_Stubbs&oldid=1218511287"