MOTOWN - FOUR TOPS' LEVI STUBBS DIES AGED 72

FOUR TOPS' LEVI STUBBS DIES AGED 72

Levi Stubbs, the lead singer of the Motown group, the Four Tops, has died aged 72, it has been confirmed.

An official from the Michigan coroner's office told the AFP news agency: "He died at his home. We were informed but he wasn't brought here. He was being followed by his doctor because he had been ill for a long time."

Stubbs formed the rhythm and blues group in 1954 with Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Renaldo "Obie" Benson and Lawrence Payton.

The four-piece signed for the legendary Motwon record label in 1963 and the group topped the charts throughout the 1960s with hits such as Bernadette and Reach Out (Ill be there).

The band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and British folk singer Billy Bragg wrote a song about Stubbs in 1986 called Levi Stubbs' Tears.

Audley Smith, of the Motown Historical Museum, said of Stubbs: "[He] fits right up there with all the icons of Motown.

"His voice was as unique as Marvin's or as Smokey's or as Stevie's," referring to Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder.

Stubbs' death means Fakir is only surviving member of the group.