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Inducted
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
Michigan Connection
All four of the singers were born in Detroit.
Band
The band formed in 1954, after graduating from high school, as the Four
Aims. In 1956 they changed their name to the Four Tops. The members were:
lead vocalist Levi Stubbs, first tenor Abdul "Duke" Fakir,
second tenor Lawrence Payton and baritone Renaldo "Obie"
Benson.
Notable
The Four Tops performed for more than four decades without a single
personnel change. After having been in show business for nearly a decade,
they signed with Motown in 1963
Big Hit
Their first hit came in 1964 with "Baby I Need Your Loving."
"I Can't Help Myself" rose to #1 on the pop and rhythm and blues
charts. In 1966 they had a #1 single and their biggest hit with
"Reach Out, I'll Be There."
Today
After Lawrence Payton died in 1997, the remaining members have continued
to perform as the Tops.
Find out more about The
Four Tops and other musical Michiganians in
Makin'
Music: Michigan's
Rock & Roll Legacy. |
