Levi Stubbs, Dead At 72

"Baby, I Need Your Loving" (1966)


Lead Singer for "The Four Tops"

Levi Stubb's whose sonorous baritone growled like angry velvet died after a long illness. He had been forced to quit touring in 2000. I shared a lot of bills with the Tops while I was working out of Vegas. They were stalwarts on the casino circuit.

They were absolutely professional. The Motown folks always brought that. On time, show ready, dressed sharp and ready to go out and hit their marks and sell their lines. Offstage they were always gracious. Crews adored them. I loved them. Not just because they provided big chunks of the soundtrack of my life, but also because of the kindness and class they embodied.

There is only one of the original Tops left. Abdul "Duke" Fakir is still with us.