Four Tops frontman Levi Stubbs dead at 72

[Amerigo Vespucci]

The Four Tops (from left, Abdul Fakir, Levi Stubbs, Lawrence Payton and Renaldo Benson) are seen here in 1966. Stubbs, the band's lead vocalist, died Oct. 17 at his Detroit home.



DETROIT - Four Tops frontman Levi Stubbs, whose dynamic and emotive voice drove such Motown classics as “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” and “Baby I Need Your Loving,” died Friday at 72.

He had been ill recently and died in his sleep at the Detroit house he shared with his wife, said Dana Meah, the wife of a grandson. The Wayne County medical examiner’s office also confirmed the death.

With Stubbs in the lead, the Four Tops sold millions of records and performed for more than four decades without a change in personnel.

“Levi Stubbs was one of the great voices of all times,” former Motown labelmate Smokey Robinson said. “He was very near and dear to my heart. He was my friend and my brother, I miss him. God bless his family and comfort them.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27240188/

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. Kick for good music.

[Doc_Technical]

2. Farewell Levi and thanks for the great music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovu0_VFJsBY