We're sad to report that Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops passed away on Friday at the age of 72. Stubbs' raw edgy vocals brought a sense of urgency to songs such as Reach Out I'll Be There and Standing in the Shadows of Love. Levi influenced many artists that came after him including Billy [...]by Scott Bernstein Leave A Comment
According to Billboard: Arguably the most powerful voice in Motown's storied history has been silenced. Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs, Jr., died today (Oct. 17) at his home in Detroit after a long series io illnesses — including cancer and a stroke — that forced him to stop performing in 2000. He was 72. Levi Stubbs Wikipedia entry Levi Stubbs IMDB entry Four Tops Wikipedia entry YouT
The Tops' renditions of these 12 Broadway hits are, in my view, superior to the originals almost without exception. Levi Stubbs really demonstrates his range and phrasing with so-called "pop music" which, unfortunately, in the 60's was difficult for the Brothers to get recorded. I understand they had to self produce the album. "I want to be with you" is one of the great delights of the album a...
When, in 1986, he sought to create an arresting image of domestic despair easily recognisable to everyone, Billy Bragg hit on "Levi Stubbs' Tears".There's no doubt that, during the classic years when the Four Tops sang the songs of Holland Dozier and Holland, written to be sung at the very top of Levi Stubbles' (as he was born) vocal range, they touched peaks of emotion rarely equalled and perhaps
From the Huffington Post:A Death in the FamilyJon Landau For those lucky enough to be at Thursday night's Obama benefit at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom, the combination of John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, India Arie, and Billy Joel magically gelling into an instant super group in front of our eyes was unforgettable. The interaction among the artists was superb, the commitment of the artists...