A Death in the Family

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 fully on view, and Barak's superb speech ended with this one-night-only supergroup revving up a sensational version of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours."

Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" was one of the great high points in the history of Motown -- a label that generated so much great music in such a short time, that it can only be compared to the Beatles and all of the English Invasion (and to Bob Dylan, of course). There were many stars in Motown's firmament -- among them, Stevie, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves and Diana Ross -- but I happen to have loved the Four Tops most of all. They weren't the most flexible singers, they weren't the silkiest, the slinkiest, the sleakest, or the most original. But, when you put them together with producers/writers Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, and Lamont Dozier, they made music for the ages.

In 1966, they had a legendary trio of hits. In reverse order, they were "Bernadette," "Standing in the Shadows of Love," and "Reach Out, I'll Be There." Levi Stubbs sang the lead on all three, just as he did on all of the Tops records, for over forty years. On "Reach Out," Levi was paired with Holland-Dozier-Holland's single greatest song and production. He rose to the challenge of fulfilling that great song's potential, and created his masterpiece. No pop performance has ever encompassed the extremes of despair, heartbreak, joy, and love more than this one.

When I had the honor of inducting Eddie and Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame seventeen years ago, I recalled hearing "Reach Out, I'll be There," for the very first time. I was driving down Rte 128 outside of Boston and listening to WRKO, our great Sixties era Boston Top Forty. "Reach Out" came on for the first time and thirty seconds into it I pulled over to the shoulder of the highway, and just listened -- losing myself in Levi's performance, with all of its hair raising and spiritual glory. For me, time stood still and I will always remember that moment the same way that I remember hearing "Johnny B. Goode" and "Like a Rolling Stone" for the first time.

Yesterday morning I woke up hung over from the joyful after-show celebration of Thursday night's triumphant Obama concert and benefit, only to learn that Levi Stubbs had passed away. As I heard the news, I had only one thought: I truly hope he died knowing just how much he meant to so many people -- (including me).

Comments

[twohearts]

All my life, I've loved music more than anything - and I remember so well how soulful & wonderful the Four Tops' songs were.

I started hearing Levi when I was about 7 years old, but I was a new drummer, then and was overwhelmed by that groove.

Thanks for this memorial!

[j-racqoon70]

Motown loses one of its greatest.
Peace!

[Diogenis]

Rest in .peace Levi!

[LiberalBuzz]

Go to YouTube and type in Four Tops in the search engine and then sit back and enjoy a LOT of Four Tops performances from the beginning to as recently as the last Four Tops performances.

OR go here:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=four+tops&search_type=&aq=f

Great music!!

[ilrslr3]

Remember Little House of Horror he was great as the Man Eating Plant, He will be missed God Bless you and you family. A GREAT Legend!

RIP

[BluePride]

THE quintessential Motown song for me was 'I can't help myself' (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) and then, of course: 'Baby, I Need Your Loving' - and his version w/ Jean Terrell and The Supremes of 'River Deep, Mountain High' is THE best recording of that classic of anyone...Jean and Levi SANG!

A Change IS Gonna Come:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDpr8wHdhlQ

[ghenry]

Love you Levi, Sleep well

[watchandwait]

As a little kid, I always hated watching shows where the "Temps" and the "Tops" were performing; I knew that some incarnation of the Temps would perform and would tear down the house, but the tops would always bring out Levi, Abdul, Obie and (I can't remember the other guy's name) and they would do that lame dame side-to-side dance they'd do when they sang "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch." When I grew up, I came to appreciate the" Tops" more because I realized that the group's heart and soul lay in Levi Stubbs, whereas the Temps were fortunate enough to find several hearts and souls to carry them through over 50 years (i.e. Paul Williams, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Dennis Edwards, Ollie Woodson, etc.) There is only one "Temp" remaining from the original group; however, when he dies, the group will probably still be as popular. However, there is ONLY one Levi Stubbs, and with only one remaining singer left, Levi's passing represents the passing of an era. I can't imagine the "Tops" being able to continue in a fashion similar to that of the "Temps", especially without Levi. It might be possible, but right now, I can't imagine it. RIP Levi - we love you.

[FCorey]

I always loved to see them perform (on TV). My father loved them.

R.I.P. and Respect.

[MsDebate]

Rest in Peace, you will surely be missed!!!!

[plafayette]

A life well lived, a man who will be sorely missed. Amen.

[Debanne]

Levi Stubbs RIP, you will be missed. I loved hearing him sing.

[Centaur]

I thought the Four Tops were very much underrrated and overshadowed by other Motown male groups
like the Temps and Smokey and the Miracles. Jon. two songs that you didn't mention were "Baby, I need your Lovin", and "Can't help Myself(Sugar pie, Honey bunch)" were standouts too. Levi, R.I.P., you were one of a kind. It;s a testament to him that he was married to his one wife for 48 Years. My condolences to his wife and other family members.

[homer2811]

Actually my favorite song by the Tops was "I believe in you,believe in me"which was covered so well by Whitney Houston.

[KafkaTamura]

Devastating. Love, love, love you Levi. I can never thank you enough for the joy you brought into my life!