I knew the time was near but the news is still hard to accept.  Levi Stubbs has passed away.  Like many others, special memories of the talented and soulful baritone from Detroit’s North End will be with me forever.  He was one of Motown’s greatest lead singers but he was first and foremost one of the legendary Four Tops. 

Renaldo “Obie” Benson, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, Lawrence Payton, and Levi were KOOL with a capital “K”.   They were also clean to the bone.  Remember those well tailored sharkskin suits and colorful alpaca wool sweaters that were so popular in the 1960’s?   But it was the Four Tops’ precision harmony and Levi’s distinct voice that brought a smile to the face of anyone who heard them.  Growing up as a kid in Cleveland, they were stars I viewed from afar.  

That changed when I moved to Detroit in the 1980’s and was fortunate enough to meet and see Levi Stubbs perform with the Tops at one of Aretha Franklin’s fabulous black tie Christmas parties.  The foursome was AWESOME!  Those memories were in stark contrast to the last time I saw Levi.  It was a little less than two years ago at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.  He was at one end of the stage in his wheelchair, surrounded by his devoted family, watching his beloved singing group perform the hits he helped make famous.  Love for Levi and his music filled the warm summer air.

Duke is now the last surviving member of the original Four Tops.  Last December, I had the pleasure of interviewing him on Spotlight on the News.  For me, it was a subtle reminder that although the Four Tops’ hits will always be with us, a historical music era that changed the world is drawing to a close.