Four Tops frontman Levi Stubbs dead at 72

if he was 72, then he would have been born in 1936, not 1946 as the article says.  was he 62 or 72?

Well it's a sad day. But they've got either of two facts wrong. They said he was 72, and that he was born in 1946. Well, if he was born in 1946 then he was 62, not 72. Or if he was 72 then he was born in 1936, not 1946. Their facts and the facts of simple arithmetic are at odds with each other.

who's doin the math? was he 62 or 72?

They moved my Marine battallion from Viet Nam to a ship off the coast and that night, I heard "Reach Out For Me" over the 1MC (ship's PA system) and that told me I was safe for a while. I will always associate that song with a feeling of comfort and wel-being. Sigh. I will miss him.

Wonderful voice. We'll miss him. Now let's get the facts of age vs birthdate straight. I was born in 1946, and I'm only 62.

Wonder what happened to my first post?

I always loved the Four Tops, and Levi's voice had a lot to do with that. Wow, Levi Stubbs, what a legend. I saw a special on Public TV, one of the "Oldies" tributes that are held in Pittsburgh every so often... Keeping the music alive. The Tops came out, and Levi's fill in started singing "I Believe In You and Me". They wheeled Levi out part way through the song, gave him a mic, and he did his best to chyme in on what i consider to be his "signature song". He was both smiling and crying at the same time. It brought tears to my eyes actually. Yeah, a big lug like me, teary eyed over that special moment. At my wedding 8 years ago, I Believe In You and Me was my selection for the Bride and Groom song, and I sang along with every word, to my new lovely wife. I have that song on my iPod, and whenever it comes up, I grab a beer bottle, pretend it's a microphone, and sing that song to my Wife. Sometimes I can get through it without a tear, most times not. That song puts into words exactly how much I love and respect my Wife. She knows it. While she's a bit younger than I, and evidently missed a lot of the Four Tops music ( More of a Led Zeppelin Girl to be honest), she too now knows every word of that song by heart, as do I. Levi, you've left behind a legacy of tunes and performance memories that will be remembered forever! There's a special place in Heaven for special people like you. Know for certain that this Four Tops fan, and fans like me, will miss your velvet voice. Thanks for the wonderful memories, Levi. God Bless You, now and forever!!! You're one of a kind.

I may be only 37, but my dad "made" my brother and sister listen to Motown and all kinds of music from the 50's.  I guess you could kinda sorta say I grew up listening to the four tops. Levi will be sadly missed.

Oh, so many memories.  First dressy dance, first ride in a convertible, first......well, you get it.  I happened to be in St. Thomas on vacation years back and there they were playing in the nightclub of the hotel!!!  Their music just made you jump up and want to dance....so I did.  Starting to feel a little old.

Loved their rich smooth voices. 

Even though I never knew him personally, I always felt a sense of relation to him...I actually called him Uncle Levi

He is one of the strongest recognizable voices in R&B!  He will be tremendously missed!

I have so many wonderful memories listening to his voice.  I remember listening to Bernadette over and over. I couldn't believe how much he put into that song. I was truly blessed to be of the age which grew up with such great music . 

Google "top songs of 1965" and check out the top result.  Check out the songs and artists from that year. 

I thought it would go on and on, and for a while it did. BUT THEY DON'T MAKE MUSIC LIKE THAT ANY LONGER!

Great voice, great group, remember sing the four tops songs in high school. Now he will sing with the angels

I once saw the Four Tops perform.  Their voices, their style, their charisma were so powerful.  Levi Stubbs and the guys sucked me right in, grabbed and pulled my heart.  They were great!

My condolences to Mr. Stubbs' widow and to the family.  It is a terrible loss for all of us.

It's the same old song; sugar pie, honey bunch; reach out (i'll be there); how do we ever get by without the Motown songs and Levi you were among the best; sing with the angels brother

I'll never forget the first of about 4 Tops show I attended in all.  It was 1983 at the Old Waldorf Club in San Francisco.  My date and I were seated at a table near the stage.  Levi noticed me and my date.  He looked at me and jestured with the microphone that I ought to get busy with my date after the show.  You can just imagine where he positioned the microphone.  I looked at her and was at a total loss for words.  It was so funny.  It was our first or second date and we hadn't been intimate yet.   I'll never forget it.  It was very special night.  The Tops tore it up that night.

Baby I need your loving; It's the same old song; Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch; Reach Out (I'll be there);  How are we ever going to forget these Motown classics and Levi was up there with the best of them;  Keep singing with the angels brother.

He brought so much happiness, fun, love, memories.  I can not think of a single bad memory when I recall any of their music {which I still listen to}  You can be brought right back to your teens in a fraction of a minute when their music plays.

At 64, I may forget a whole lot of things, but I can sing every song of theirs word for word.  We will never forget.  May he rest in peace-he will be missed.

Motown music indeed lost one of its best voices in Mr. Stubb's passing, and as a native Detroiter who knew (by sound) all the Motown groups, sounds and stars, the Four Tops were definitely primo.   

Huge loss. Bless you Mr. Stubbs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HQEhuylZmg

I am so sad to hear this.  A couple of years ago I went to see the 4 Tops at a concert and when they came on and Levi was not the lead, I just got up and left.  He is one of those singers who could not be replaced.  The guy who they had singing lead I kind of felt sorry for.  I would like to hear what kind of relationship the Tops had with the Temps.  Hopfully Otis will say something since all the other Motown legends have.  Levi's voice was so different.  I truly loved the Tops.

A sad day.  I went to see a concert a few years ago with the four tope and when Levi was not the lead singer I got up and left.  No one could replace that voice.  I actually felt sorry for the guy trying to replace him.  He was one of my all time favorites.  I wonder how their relationship with the Temps was?? I would hope Otis would speak out just as all the other Motown stars have.  I think I am going to listen to some Tops

The guy's name who took Levi's place as lead for the Top's was Theo People,, althought he will never be able to take Levi place I think Levi, would be and has been proud of the way Theo has steped up and kept his dream alive that he worked so hard to create. Theo people is a great singer in his own right as well check him out google him, or Theo People Vinthedition great singer ;he is the only man to sing lead for the Top's and the Temp's the best of both world's if you ask me!!! he song on the phinex riseing CD the song Stay, This is my promis. The Temp's won a grammy for his performance, word's out that he is working on a new CD called Lifes to short.. I will be the first in line to buy that one, it just sounds like a winner Lifes to short.. Yes Theo People is the guy's name who steped up to fill those huge shoe's of Levi Stubb's WOW!!! what a job right?.

The guy's name who took Levi's place as lead for the Top's was Theo People,, although he will never be able to take Levi place I think Levi, would be and has been proud of the way Theo has stepped up and kept his dream alive that he worked so hard to create. Theo people is a great singer in his own right as well check him out @ great singer ;he is the only man to sing lead for the Top's and the Temp's the best of both world's if you ask me!!! His song on the Temp's rising CD the song Stay, This is my promise. The Temp's won a Grammy for his performance, word's out that he is working on a new CD called Life's to short.. I will be the first in line to buy that one, it just sounds like a winner Life's to short.. Yes Theo People is the guy's name who stepped up to fill those huge shoes of Levi Stubb's WOW!!! What a job right?.

The guy's name who took Levi's place as lead for the Top's was Theo People,, although he will never be able to take Levi place I think Levi, would be and has been proud of the way Theo has stepped up and kept his dream alive that he worked so hard to create. Theo people is a great singer in his own right as well check him out Google him, or his Vinthedition MySpace page great singer ;he is the only man to sing lead for the Top's and the Temp's the best of both world's if you ask me!!! His song on the Temp’s rising CD the song Stay, This is my promise. The Temp's won a Grammy for his performance, word's out that he is working on a new CD called Life’s to short.. I will be the first in line to buy that one, it just sounds like a winner Life’s to short.. Yes Theo People is the guy's name who stepped up to fill those huge shoes of Levi Stubb’s WOW!!! What a job right?.