Levi Stubbs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Levi Stubbs
Stubbs performing in 1967
Background information
Birth name	Levi Stubbles
Born	(1936-06-06)June 6, 1936 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Died	October 17, 2008(2008-10-17) (aged 72) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres	R&B, soul
Occupation(s)	Singer, actor
Years active	1954–2004
Labels	Motown
Associated acts	The Four Tops

Levi Stubbs (born Levi Stubbles, June 6, 1936 – October 17, 2008) was an American singer. He was best known as the lead singer of the R&B group, the Four Tops. This group released many Motown hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s. People admired his strong, emotional, and dramatic singing style. In 1990, he became part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Four Tops.

Stubbs also used his voice for characters in movies and TV shows. He was the voice of "Audrey II," the alien plant in the 1986 musical horror film Little Shop of Horrors. He also voiced Mother Brain in the 1989 TV series Captain N: The Game Master. Other singers looked up to Stubbs for his amazing vocal range. He inspired many later pop and soul artists, like Daryl Hall from Hall and Oates.

Stubbs was born and lived most of his life in Detroit, Michigan. He had five children with his wife, Clineice Stubbs. They were married for almost 50 years. His last performance was with the Four Tops on July 28, 2004. This was at their "50th Anniversary Concert" in the Detroit Opera House.

Early Life and Music Career

Stubbs performing in November 1966.

Levi Stubbs was born in Detroit in 1936. His brother, Joe, also became a singer in groups like The Originals. His cousin was the famous singer Jackie Wilson. Stubbs went to Detroit Pershing High School. There, he met Abdul "Duke" Fakir. In 1954, Stubbs, Fakir, Renaldo "Obie" Benson, and Lawrence Payton formed a singing group called the Four Aims.

Two years later, they signed with Chess Records. The group changed their name to the Four Tops. They did this to avoid confusion with another popular group called the Ames Brothers. The Four Tops started by performing in supper clubs. In 1963, they signed with Motown Records. By the end of the 1960s, they had more than a dozen hit songs.

Some of their most popular songs, all with Stubbs as the lead singer, include:

• "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)"
• "Reach Out I'll Be There"
• "Standing in the Shadows of Love"
• "Bernadette"
• "Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got)"

Even though Stubbs had a deep voice (a baritone), many Four Tops songs were written for a higher voice (a tenor). This made his singing sound more urgent and exciting.

Stubbs was the most famous member of the group. However, he always refused to be billed separately. He also turned down many chances to start a solo career. He did this because he was loyal to his bandmates. Stubbs and the other Tops stayed together until Lawrence Payton passed away in 1997. Then, Theo Peoples joined the group. The Four Tops were added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. They also joined the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2013. They have sold over 50 million records around the world.

The group worked with several record labels during their long career. Stubbs' singing style inspired many other pop and soul artists. Daryl Hall from Hall and Oates said that Stubbs' unique style made the Four Tops' music "timeless." Other musicians like Lonnie Jordan of War and Smokey Robinson of The Miracles also admired their work.

In 2000, Theo Peoples took over as the lead singer because Stubbs had a stroke. Ronnie McNeir joined the group in Lawrence Payton's original spot. Renaldo Benson passed away in 2005. This left Duke Fakir as the only original member of the Four Tops still alive. Stubbs' last performance with the Four Tops was on July 28, 2004. It was at their "50th Anniversary Concert" at the Detroit Opera House.

Voice Acting Roles

Stubbs used his voice for the flesh-eating plant Audrey II in the 1986 movie Little Shop of Horrors. In this movie, he sang the song "Mean Green Mother from Outer Space". This song was even nominated for an Oscar award! He was also the voice of Mother Brain in the animated TV show Captain N: The Game Master (1989).

Stubbs also appeared as himself in some TV shows. Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, offered him a role in the 1972 movie Lady Sings the Blues. He would have acted alongside Diana Ross. But Stubbs turned down the role. He did not want to become more famous than the other members of the Four Tops.

His Reputation as a Singer

Many people consider Levi Stubbs to be one of the most important male soul singers. Ed Hogan from AllMusic said that Stubbs' voice had a "pleading urgency." This perfectly showed the longing feelings in the songs written by the famous team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. Lonnie Jordan from the band War said he felt "blessed" to meet Stubbs. He thought Stubbs' "voice was so good he was just, like, from another planet."

Personal Life

Levi Stubbs and his wife, Clineice, were married for 48 years. They were together from 1960 until his passing in 2008. They had five children, 11 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

His Passing

After a stroke in 2000, Levi Stubbs could no longer tour with the Four Tops. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 17, 2008, at his home in Detroit. A special service was held for Stubbs in Detroit on October 27. Many friends from the music world attended, including Berry Gordy and Martha Reeves. The Detroit City Council, along with Martha Reeves, announced that Stubbs' birthday would be "Levi Stubbs Day" in Detroit. Stubbs is buried in Detroit's historic Woodlawn Cemetery.

Filmography

Film

Television

Soundtrack