LEVI STUBBLES, RENALDO OBIE BENSON, ABDUL DUKE FAKIR & LAWRENCE PAYTON - THE FOUR TOPS
Nov 24 '04
The Bottom Line "The Four Tops" formed in 1953 calling themselves "The Four Aims". They were all High School friends from local Detroit, Michigan High Schools
In 1953 "Levi Stubbs" and close friend "Abdul Duke Fakir" who attended Pershing High School in Detroit and having previously sung together in an R&B quartet are asked to sing with "Renaldo Benson" and "Lawrence Payton" for a friend at their Birthday party. Their style and sound meshed together so well that they met again at Abdul's house the very next day to practice and they decide to form their own group calling themselves "The Four Aims". They begin singing together at High School graduation ceremonies, church and school functions. After several auditions they are finally accepted by a small local talent agency who books them into local clubs around the Detroit area in 1954. This is followed up by bigger bookings and a week at the Ebony Lounge in Cleveland, Ohio where they earn $300.00.
In 1955 they begin recording as backup singers to "Caroline Hayes" and "Delores Carroll". They next begin singing backup on the road with "Brook Benton", "Count Basie", "Della Reese" and "Billy Eckstine". Their musical conductor suggests they change their names so not to be confused with "The Ames Brothers" and they decide on "The Four Tops". Levi also decides to shorten his last name from Stubbles to Stubbs. In May of 1956 Lawrence's cousin "Roquel Billy Davis" sends 3 demo songs by the group, "All My Life", "Could It Be You" and "Kiss Me Baby" to "Leonard Chess" in Chicago. Leonard is the President of "Chess" records and agrees to sign the group to a contract on the condition that Davis becomes a company staff writer. They record their first single "Kiss Me Baby" with the flip side of "Could It Be You" but the record fails to chart. They decide to concentrate more on their club act including polishing their dance routines and their vocal arrangements.
From 1958 through 1959 they tour the US with "The Larry Stelle Revue" and release one single on the "Red Top" record label that also fails to chart. They next sign a contract with "John Hammond" to "CBS/Columbia" records in September 1960 and release "That Love" which is another non-charting single. In 1961 after having seen the group sing at the Thunderbird in Las Vegas, Nevada they begin touring with "Billy Eckstein's Revue". They next release in 1962 "Where Are You" on "Riverside" records that is currently on the chart also for "Dinah Washington" who eventually takes it to #36 on the US pop singles chart. The song was a #5 pop hit in 1937 for "Mildred Bailey" but the groups' version fails to chart. They also release some singles on the "Singular" records label but they too all fail to chart.
In March 1963 they meet "Berry Gordy Jr." who is the President of "Tamla-Motown" records in Detroit and he signs them to a contract which includes a $400.00 advance. They spend the remaining part of the year singing backup for many different "Motown" records' artists, which includes "The Supremes". They would sing backup for them on their 4th release on the label and their very first Top 30 hit "When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes" that was released on 30 November and later peaks at #23 on the pop chart. In 1964 while singing at the 20 Grand Club in Detroit they are called by "Motown" producers "Holland, Dozier & Holland" to return to the studio. "Eddie Holland" sings them a song he believes they should record "Baby I Need Your Loving". They do record the record and the single debuts on 15 August and later peaks at #11 on both the pop & R&B charts. In England a Mersey group called "Fourmost" also releases their version of the song and it peaks at #24 on the UK singles pop chart. On 28 November they release "Without The One You Love (Life's Not Worth While)" and it peaks at #43 on both the R&B and pop singles charts.
On 6 February 1965 they release "Ask The Lonely" and it goes to #24 on the pop chart and to #9 on the R&B chart. They make their very first TV appearance on "Hullabaloo!" on NBC with host "Bobby Vinton" and guests "Chad & Jeremy","Johnny Rivers", "Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas" and others. They release their self-titled debut album "Four Tops" in April and it would peak at #63 on the pop chart and go all the way to #1 on the R&B chart. On 15 May "I Can't Help Myself" debuts and peaks at #1 on both the R&B and pop charts replacing "The Supremes" on both chart with their #1 hit "Back In My Arms Again". It stays #1 for 2 weeks on the pop chart and at #1 on the R&B chart for 9 weeks and is their first million selling record. They begin a UK tour next and on the 21st they appear on BBC ITV's "Ready Steady Go!" along with "The Who" and "Connie Francis". On 28 June they appear on CBS TV's hour long Music special "It's What's Happening Baby". In July "I Can't Help Myself" is their 1st UK record on the charts and it peaks at #23 there.
On 31 July "It's The Same Old Song" debuts on the singles charts peaking at #5 pop, at #2 on the R&B chart and peaks at #34 in the UK. The same day "Columbia" records releases "Ain't That Love" originally recorded and released in 1960 on their label but failing to chart and this time it peaks at #93 on the pop chart. Also this month they have their 2nd UK tour which is arranged by "Brian Epstein" the then manager of "The Beatles". On 13 November "Something About You" debuts and peaks at #19 on the pop chart and at #9 on the R&B chart. In December they release "The Four Tops Second Album" which goes to #20 on the pop chart and to #3 on the R&B chart. This year they appeared on "Hullabaloo!" a second time, 2 times on "Shindig" and 1 time on "American Bandstand" hosted by the never aging "Dick Clark".
In 1966 they had 4 singles on the charts with the biggest of these being "Reach Out I'll Be There" that tops all 3 charts, pop, R&B and the UK chart. The song included an instrumental blend of flutes, oboes and drums and is their second million selling record. They have one album on the charts this year with "The Four Tops On Top" that was released in September and peaks at #32 on the pop chart and peaks at #3 on the R&B chart. It would become their first ever UK charting album and eventually peak at #9. Their first TV appearance this year is on 30 January on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on CBS that also included "SSGT Barry Sadler", "Jose Feliciano", "Dinah Shore" and others. They appear once more this year on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and they also appear 2 times on "Where The Action Is" and 2 times on "Ready Steady Go!". They have one appearance in the UK this year on 13 November at London's Saville Theater.
They have 4 more records on the singles charts in 1967 with the biggest of these being "Bernadette" that peaks at #4 on the pop chart, at #3 on the R&B chart and at #8 in the UK. This becomes their 3rd million selling record. They have 4 albums on the charts this year and the biggest seller was "Four Tops Live" that was recorded at the Roostertail club in Detroit the previous year. It peaks at #17 on the pop chart, at #4 in the UK and is their 2nd #1 album on the US R&B chart. On 6 January they appear on "Where The Action Is" with "James Brown" and "Wilson Pickett". On 28 January they begin a nine-date, twice nightly UK tour with "The Merseys", "Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas", "Madeleine Bell", "The Reno Four" and "The Johnny Watson Band". They next begin a European tour that includes France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Their only other TV appearance this year is once again on "The Ed Sullivan Show" also with "Pearl Bailey", "Pat Boone", "Boots Randolph" and others. In October their producers "Holland, Dozier & Holland" leave "Motown" records because of a dispute over royalties. Over the next few years "Frank Wilson", "Smokey Robinson", "Ivy Joe Hunter" and "Johnny Bristol" would take turns being their producer.
In 1968 they have 4 singles on the chart for the 3rd consecutive year. Their biggest selling single this year was "Walk Away Renee" that peaked at #14 on the pop chart, at #13 on the R&B chart and at #3 in the UK. The song was previously a #5 hit in 1966 by "The Left Banke". "Southside Johnny & The Jukes" would also cover it again in 1986 but only had it peak at #98 for them. They also covered "If I Were A Carpenter" this year that was originally released by "Bobby Darin" in 1966 who took it to #6 and their version peaks at #20. It would be covered years later by "Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash", "Bob Seger", "Leon Russell" and many others. Their only album on the charts this year was "Yesterday's Dreams" that peaked at #91 on the pop chart, at #37 in the UK and all the way to #7 on the US R&B chart. "The Four Tops Greatest Hits" that was released last year in February finally peaks at #1 for 1 week on the UK album chart. They became the first ever black act to top the UK album charts and then "The Supremes" would do it the very next week with "Diana Ross & The Supremes Greatest Hits" that stayed at #1 for them there for 3 weeks. Their only TV appearance this year was on "The Kraft Music Hall" on NBC the 21st of August with host "Ed McMahon" and guests "Sly & The Family Stone", "Tim Hardin" (who composed "If I were A Carpenter", "Joan Rivers" and others.
On 5 April 1969 they make their only TV appearance this year on "The Hollywood Palace" on ABC with host (the old crooner himself) "Bing Crosby" and guests "Shelley Berman", "George Carl" (not Carlin) and others. On 10 May "What Is A Man" debuts and it peaks at #53 on the US pop chart at #16 in the UK and is their first single since 1964 not to make the R&B chart. They released the album "The Four Tops Now!" in July that peaked at #74 on the pop chart and at #18 on the R&B chart. On 6 December they release "Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me" and it peaks at #45 on the pop singles chart and at #25 on the R&B chart. This is followed by the second album release of the year "Soul Spin" that peaked at #163 pop and #30 on the R&B chart.
In 1970 they have 3 singles on the chart and they all make the top 30. The biggest of these was "Still Water (Love)" backed by "Still Water (Peace) on the B-side and it peaks at #11 on the pop chart, at #10 in the UK and at #4 on the US R&B chart. They had 3 charting albums this year and the biggest seller was "Still Waters Run Deep" in June that peaked at #29 in the UK, at 21 on the US pop chart and at #3 on the R&B chart. In November they release an album with "The Supremes" titled "The Magnificent 7" that peaked at #113 on the pop chart and at #8 on the R&B chart. Their one and only TV appearance this year is on 8 November on "The Ed Sullivan Show" with guests "Freda Payne", "The Carpenters", "Hank Williams Jr." and others. On 28 November they released a single with "The Supremes" titled "River Deep-Mountain High" and it peaked at #14 on the pop chart and at #7 on the R&B chart and peaks at #11 in the UK the following July. "Ike & Tina Turner" first did the song in 1966 and their version went to #88 on the pop chart. It peaked at #53 for "Deep Purple" in 1969.
They have 4 charting singles in 1971 that included their second release with "The Supremes" in "You Gotta Have Love In Your Heart" that peaked at #55 on the pop chart and at #41 on the R&B chart. Their biggest selling single was released on 11 September in "MacArthur Park" written by "Jimmy Webb" that peaked at #38 on the US pop chart. "Richard Harris" originally released this song in 1968 and it peaked at #2 for him. The following year it was released by "Waylon Jennings & the Kimberlys" who had it go to #93 on the pop chart and to #23 on the country chart. "Donna Summer" was the only artist to take this song to #1 as a Disco version in 1978. They released 2 albums this year, the first was "The Return Of The Magnificent 7" with "The Supremes" and it peaked at #154 on the pop chart and at #18 on the R&B chart. Their other album "The Four Tops Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" was released in November and it peaked at #106 on the pop chart, peaked at #25 in the UK and peaked at #22 on the US R&B chart.
In January 1972 they release their 3rd album with "The Supremes" titled "Dynamite" and it peaked at #160 on the pop chart and at #21 on the R&B chart. On 5 February they release "A Simple Game" that peaks at #90 on the pop singles chart and at #34 on the R&B chart. It was written by "Moody Blues" producer "Tony Clarke" and originally released by them as a B-side of "Watching And Waiting" in October 1969. It was the groups first ever release on their own new "Threshold" record label but it failed to make the charts. Their second record on "Threshold" that was "Question" in 1970 was their first to make the chart and it peaked at #21 in the US on the pop chart and at #2 in the UK. They also recorded another "Moody Blues" B-side song at the same time titled "So Deep Within You" that charts in the UK and hits #3 there. It was on the Blues single with "Never Comes The Day" in 1969 that peaked at #91 on the US pop chart. On 26 February they make their only TV appearance this year on "Soul Train" with "Jackie Wilson" and "Kool & The Gang".
In April "Bernadette" is re-released in the UK only and peaks at #23 this time. In June they release "Nature Planned It" that peaks at #50 on the US pop album chart and at #4 on the R&B chart. Also this month Gordy decides to move "Motown" records main studios from Detroit to Hollywood but "The Four Tops" decide not to move there. They are currently in negotiations with "Dunhill/ABC" records and sign with the company in July. On 9 September their last single on "Motown" titled "(It's The Way) Nature Planned It" debuts and would peak at #53 on the pop chart and at #8 on the R&B chart. Their first release on their new label is "Keeper Of The Castle" in November and it becomes their first top 20 hit in 2 full years when it peaks at #10 on the pop chart and at #7 on the R&B chart. It would peak at #18 in the UK on their new label there "Probe" records. In December they release their debut album on their new label "Keeper Of The Castle" and it peaks at #33 on the pop chart and at #6 on the R&B chart. Also this month they perform in front of a sell-out crowd at Madison Square Garden in New York City along with "The Four Seasons", "Jay & The Americans" and "Martha Reeves & The Vandellas"
On 3 February 1973 they release "Ain't No Woman (Like The One I Got)" that peaks at #4 pop, and at #2 on the R&B chart. It becomes their 4th and final million selling single. In May "Motown" releases a compilation album for them in "The Best Of The Four Tops" that peaks at #103 on the pop chart and at #35 on the R&B chart. On 23 June "Are You Man Enough" from the Action Movie "Shaft In Africa" starring "Richard Roundtree" debuts and peaks at #15 on the pop chart and at #2 on the R&B chart. On 13 October "Sweet Understanding Love" debuts on the singles charts peaking at #33 pop and at #10 R&B. It is quickly followed this month by "Main Street People" that peaked at #66 on the US pop album chart and at #8 on the R&B chart. In December "Motown" releases the double compilation album "The Four Tops Story, 1964-72" in the UK only and it peaks at #35 there. This year they appear on "The Soul Train" on 3 different occasions. They also hosted "The Midnight Special" on NBC TV on 7 December with guests "Dr. Hook & His Medicine Show", "John Mayall", "Mott The Hoople" and others.
They appeared again on "Soul Train" on 23 Mar 1974 with guests "Blue Magic" and "Barbara Mason". They released 3 singles this year but none of them made the Top 40 on the pop side. "One Chain Don't Make No Prison" released on 4 May peaked at #3 on the R&B side and only at #41 on the pop side. They released 3 albums this year in "Anthology", "Meeting Of The Minds" and "Live And In Concert". "Meeting Of The Minds" was their highest R&B charting album that peaked at #22 but only peaked at #118 on the pop chart. They were on "The Soul Train" show again on 26 October with guests "The New Birth" and "Creative Source". In 1975 they had 2 singles on the charts. The first single of the year on 24 May was their biggest seller in "Seven Lonely Nights" that peaked at #71 on the pop chart and at #13 on the R&B chart. This was their first record on the new "ABC" records as the company had absorbed their "Dunhill" subsidiary. They had only one album on the charts when "Night Lights Harmony" was released in June and peaked at #148 on the pop chart and peaked at #24 on the R&B chart.
They had only one single and one album on the charts in 1976 both were titled "Catfish". The single was released on 30 October and peaked at #71 pop and at #7 R&B. The album was released the next month and peaked at #124 on the pop chart and at #26 on the R&B chart. They appeared on "American Bandstand" again on 2 October with "Rick Dees & His Cast Of Idiots" who sang his only Top 40 song "Disco Duck". On 6 November they appeared once again on "Soul Train" along with "Vicki Sue Robinson". 1977 saw only one record on the charts with "The Show Must Go On" that peaked at #54 on the R&B album chart.
Again in 1978 they had only one record on the charts in "At The Top" that peaked at #73 on the R&B album chart. They appeared on "The Midnight Special" hosted by "Aretha Franklin" on 27 January with "Black Oak Arkansas", "Barry White", "Dan Hill" and others. Aretha after the show asks the group if they would sing at her upcoming wedding and they agreed. They appear on 11 March on "Soul Train" with "Con Funk Shun". In April they perform "Stevie Wonder's" song "Isn't She Lovely" at Aretha's wedding to "Glynn Turman".
The next 2 years they do not release any records or make any TV appearances. They mostly tour the UK, Europe and North America. Their contract expires with "ABC" records and they sign a new deal in 1981 to the disco-oriented "Casablanca" records. On 15 August their debut single on their new label "When She Was My Girl" and it peaks at #11 on the pop chart and goes all the way to #3 in the UK. They once again appear on "Soul Train" on 24 October with "Stacy Lattisaw" and "Arsenio Hall". In December their debut album on "Casablanca" titled "Tonight!" is released and peaks at #37 pop, at #43 in the UK and goes to #3 on the US R&B chart.
"Don't Walk Away" is their second single from their recent album that debuts on 30 January 1982 and it peaks at #16 in the UK. This is followed on 13 March by the ballad "Tonight I'm Gonna Love You All Over" and it peaks at #43 on the UK singles chart and peaks at #32 on the US R&B chart. On the 27th a UK only album release advertised on TV "The Best Of The Four Tops" is released and peaks at #13 there. On 15 May they release the single "Back To School Again" on "RSO" records from the Musical Movie "Grease 2" starring "Adrian Zmed", "Michelle Pfeiffer", "Maxwell Caulfield", "Eve Arden", "Sid Caeser", "Tab Hunter", "Connie Stevens" and others. It would peak at #71 on the pop chart and peak at #62 in the UK. On 28 August "Sad Hearts" their final "Casablanca" single debuts and it peaks at #84 pop and at #40 on the R&B chart. In September their final album on "Casablanca", "One More Mountain" is released and it peaks at #45 on the pop chart.
On 25 March 1983 having recently returned to "Motown" records they perform for the company's 25th Anniversary special on NBC TV. During the live concert they participate in a sort of Battle of the Bands with "The Temptations". After the show they seem to have messed together so well that they begin touring together in the UK and in the US. On 22 October "I Just Can't Walk Away" is released on "Motown" and it peaks at #71 on the pop chart. It would peak at #36 on both the R&B and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and would peak at #18 on the Adult Contemporary chart. In November they release "Back Where I Belong" and it peaks at #65 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at #47 on the R&B chart. In 1984 they appear in the 60 minute Musical Documentary "The Soul Of R&B" with "Dionne Warwick", "Billy Preston", "Smokey Robinson & The Miracles", "Lou Rawls" and "Pacific Gas & Electric".
On 9 March 1985 they star on "Soul Train" with "Spandau Ballet". In July they release "Magic" and the album peaks at #140 on the pop chart and at #33 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. On 1 November "Sexy Ways" would be released and it would peak at #21 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. In February 1986 Levi is the voice of "Audrey II" the man eating plant in the Musical Movie version of "Little Shop Of Horrors" starring "Rick Moranis", "Ellen Greene", "Vincent Gardenia", "John Candy", "Bill Murray", "Steve Martin", "James Belushi" and others. In July UK singer "Billy Braggs" releases a tribute single to Levi titled "Levi Stubbs' Tears" and it peaks at #29 in the UK. In October they release their final album on "Motown" this second time around titled "Hot Nights" and it is their first record in many years that fails to make any of the charts. They next appear in the 60 minute Musical "The Last Radio Station" with "The Temptations", "Stevie Wonder", "Marvin Gaye", "The Supremes" and "The Jackson 5". They next appear on a Video Musical Documentary "Motown Time Capsule: The 60's" with "The Supremes", "Mary Wells" and "The Miracles". On 29 July 1987 Michigan State Governor "James Blanchard" declares an annual statewide "Four Tops Day" honoring them not only for their contributions to American music but also helping in many civic activities in the Detroit area.
They sign a new recording contract in 1988 with "Arista" records. In August a newly remixed version of "Reach Out I'll Be There" is released in the UK and it peaks at #11 on the singles chart there. On 20 August "Indestructible" is released and peaks at #57 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart at #35 on the pop chart and at #25 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It would also peak at #55 on the UK singles chart. The album "Indestructible" is released next in September and peaks at #149 on the pop chart and at #66 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album includes contributions from "Phil Collins", "Aretha Franklin", "Kenny G.", "Huey Lewis" and "Narada Michael Walden". "If Ever A Love There Was" is released on 1 November and goes to #31 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and goes to #26 on the Adult Contemporary chart. They next provide the song "Loco In Acapulco" for the "David Green" directed UK Action Crime Drama "Buster" starring "Phil Collins", "Julie Walters", "Larry Lamb", "Stephanie Lawrence", "Ellen Beaven" and others.
In January 1989 the single "Loco In Acapulco" makes the UK chart and peaks at #7 there. On 10 February they perform at London's Town & Country club as the first stop on their new 12-date UK tour. On 3 March after returning from the UK they perform at the 24th Annual Rock 'N' Roll Revival Spectacular with "Sha Na Na", "Jay Black & The Americans" and "Tommy James & The Shondells" at Madison Square Garden in New York City. On 3 June "Through The Storm" by "Aretha Franklin" in which they have contributed a duet song as well as "Elton John", "Whitney Houston" and "James Brown" just prior to his most recent incarceration, debuts. It would peak at #46 in the UK, at#55 on the US pop chart and at #21 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In November "Indestructible" is re-released in the UK only and this time peaks at #30 on the singles chart there. They next are included in a Music Documentary Video titled "The Temps & The Tops" with "The Temptations" and "Stevie Wonder".
They begin a 3-date US tour on 2 January 1990 in Atlantic City, NJ. On 17 February "Stevie Wonder" inducts them into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame at the fifth annual dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. On 25 November they participate in Motown 30 What's Goin' On! CBS TV special with "Natalie Cole", "Patti LaBelle", "Denzel Washington", "Michael Bolton", "Stevie Wonder" and "Whoppi Goldberg". Also this year they appear in the 30 minute Musical Documentary Video "Rock And Roll History, Vol. 3: Sixties Soul" with "Joe Tex", "Otis Redding", "Stevie Wonder", "Jerry Butler" and "The Temptations". On 12 January 1991 a UK only release advertised on TV "Their Greatest Hits" peaks at #47 there on the album chart. From 4 through 7 November they tour the UK again this time with "The Stylistics", "Edwin Starr", "Jimmy Ruffin", "Jr. Walker & The All Stars" and "Ben E. King".
They are inducted into the Image Hall of Fame at the 24th annual NAACP Image Awards at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on 11 January 1992. On 1 March they participate in the star-studded ABC TV special "Muhammad Ali's 50th Birthday". Also participating along with Ali are "Dan Aykroyd", "Howard Cosell", "Billy Crystal", "Tony Danza", "Dustin Hoffman", "Whitney Houston", "Little Richard", "The Pointer Sisters", "Magic Johnson", "Ella Fitzgerald", "Diana Ross", "Sinbad", "Arnold Schwarzenegger" and many, many others. On 5 April they perform on The Giants Of Motown show at Wembley Arena in Wembley, London, England with "The Temptations", "Martha Reeves & The Vandellas", "The Supremes" and "The Marvelettes". On 11 April they perform at the opening day ceremonies for Euro-Disney near Paris, France. On 26 September a UK only album release "The Singles Collection" peaks at #11 on the chart there while they were completing a 17-date UK tour. On 4 July 1993 they perform at the Independence Day show at the Meadow Brook Music Festival in Rochester, MI.
On 3 & 4 September 1994 during their current US tour they perform with "The Four Seasons" at the Westbury Music Fair in Westbury, NY. They appear on CBS TV's 17th Annual Kennedy Center Honors on 28 December with "Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells" and "Detroit's New Bethel Baptist Church choir". They next perform at the Legend Of Motown tour with "The Temptations", "The Spinners", "The Supremes" and "Jr. Walker & The All Stars" on 23 June 1995 at the Pine Knob Music Theater in Clarkston, MI. In December they release "Christmas Here With You" that includes 2 songs with "Aretha Franklin" but the album fails to chart. They are also currently seen on a Velveeta Cheese TV Commercial beginning this month singing "It's The Same Old Song". On 1 May 1996 they perform live and their performance is recorded for the video "Four Tops: 40th Anniversary Special" at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. On 2 May they appeared on a previously taped episode titled "Deep Cover" on the show "New York Undercover" as themselves on FOX TV. On 17 November they perform at the Celebrate The Dream: 50 Years Of Ebony Magazine event at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and it will air on ABC TV on 29 November.
1997 would be a big turning point in the careers of this great R&B group as this is the last year all 4 of the original members performed together after being together for 44 years. On 27 February they receive the Pioneer Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 8th Annual Rhythm & Blues Foundation ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in New York City. On 23 April they are the recipients of the 2,089th star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in California. On 20 June after falling ill during their Australia tour in January Payton dies of liver cancer at his home in Southfield at the age of 59. His funeral on the 27th is attended by the remaining members, "Aretha Franklin", "Berry Gordy", "Smokey Robinson" and many others. On 28 September the 3 remaining members now touring as "The Tops" perform at the 3rd Annual International Achievement In Arts Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame in Sharon, Pennsylvania in 1999 at the 2nd Annual induction ceremonies.
In 2000 they decide to add "Theo Peoples" formally of "The Temptations" as the new 4th member and return to calling themselves "The Four Tops" and begin a long oldies nostalgia tour of the world. Because Levi has been fighting prostate cancer since 1995 he decides to leave the group to rest at home. He was replaced by "Ronnie McNair" a Las Vegas showman who had previously arranged and produced their "Christmas Here With You" album in 1995. In 2003 3 albums previously recorded and unreleased are finally released, "The Four Tops Tonight" on "Casablanca", "Love You All Over" on "PolyGram" and "Four Tops" on "St. Clair" but none of them make the charts.
They have had several compilation greatest hits albums released so far in 2004. The best of these was the "50th Anniversary Anthology" a 2-CD set with 48 songs that was released on 13 January on the "Hip-O/Motown" records label. The only album I currently own by this group anymore is the one I am reviewing today "THE FOUR TOPS SHAKE ME, WAKE ME 25 GREATEST HITS 1964 - 1973" that was released on "Raven" records on 21 August 1998. The songs on this album/CD are listed below in the order, as they appear followed by the length of each and then my rating of the song.
1. Baby I Need Your Loving - 2:51 - 5
2. Without The One You Love (Life's Not Worth While) - 2:56 - 4
3. Ask The Lonely - 3:01 - 4
4. I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) - 2:45 - 5
5. It's The Same Old Song - 2:50 - 5
6. Something About You - 2:44 - 4
7. Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over) - 2:42 - 5
8. I Get A Feeling - 2:54 - 4
9. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever - 2:50 - 4
10. Reach Out (I'll Be There) - 3:02 - 5
11. Standing In The Shadows Of Love - 2:40 - 5
12. Bernadette - 3:05 - 5
13. 7-Rooms Of Gloom - 2:36 - 5
14. I'll Turn To Stone - 2:28 - 4
15. You Keep Running Away - 2:50 - 5
16. Walk Away Renee - 2:46 - 5
17. If I Were A Carpenter - 2:50 - 5
18. I'm In A Different World - 2:57 - 4
19. Do What You Gotta Do - 4:02 - 4
20. It's All In The Game - 2:45 - 5
21. Still Water (Love) - 3:07 - 5
22. River Deep-Mountain High - 4:31 - 5
23. A Simple Game - 2:55 - 4
24. Keeper Of The Castle - 2:57 - 5
25. Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got) - 3:08 - 5
TOTAL POINTS: 116 POINTS DIVIDED BY 25 SONGS = 4.64 or 4 1/2 STARS
Rating Key:
5 - GREAT
4 - VERY GOOD
3 - GOOD
2 - FAIR
1 - POOR
0 - This song does not belong here!
Billboard US Top 100 Pop Singles for "THE FOUR TOPS"
1. Baby I Need Your Loving - Debut 08/16/64, Peaked at #11
2. Without The One You Love (Life'S Not Worth While) - Debut 11/28/64, Peaked at #43
3. Ask The Lonely - Debut 02/06/65, Peaked at #24
4. I CAN'T HELP MYSELF - Debut 05/15/65, Peaked at #1 for 2 weeks (GOLD)
5. It's The Same Old Song - Debut 07/31/65, Peaked at #5
6. Ain't That Love - Debut 07/31/65, Peaked at #93
7. Something About You - Debut 11/13/65, Peaked at #19
8. Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over) - Debut 02/19/66, Peaked at #18
9. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever - Debut 05/28/66, Peaked at #45 (co-written by "Stevie Wonder")
10. REACH OUT I'LL BE THERE - Debut 09/03/66, Peaked at #1 for 2 weeks (GOLD)
11. Standing In The Shadows Of Love - Debut 12/17/66, Peaked at #6
12. Bernadette - Debut 03/11/67, Peaked at #4 (GOLD)
13. 7 Rooms Of Gloom - Debut 05/20/67, Peaked at #14
14. I'll Turn To Stone - Debut 07/15/67, Peaked at #76
15. You Keep Running Away - Debut 09/16/67, Peaked at #19
16. Walk Away Renee - Debut 02/03/68, Peaked at #14
17. If I Were A Carpenter - Debut 04/27/68, Peaked at #20
18. Yesterday's Dreams/For Once In My Life - Debut 07/20/68, Peaked at #49
19. I'm In A Different World - Debut 10/05/68, Peaked at #51
20. What Is A Man - Debut 05/10/69, Peaked at #53
21. Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me - Debut 12/06/69, Peaked at #45
22. It's All In The Game/Love (Is The Answer) - Debut 04/25/70, Peaked at #24
23. Still Water (Love)/Still Water (Peace) - Debut 08/29/70, Peaked at #11
24. River Deep - Mountain High - Debut 11/28/70, Peaked at #14 (with "The Supremes")
25. Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life) - Debut 01/23/71, Peaked at #40
26. You Gotta Have Love In Your Heart - Debut 06/05/71,
27. In These Changing Times - Debut 07/03/71, Peaked at #70
28. MacArthur Park (Part II)/MacArthur Part (Part I) - Debut 09/11/71, Peaked at #38
29. A Simple Game/L.A. (My Town) - Debut 02/05/72, Peaked at #90
30. (It's The Way) Nature Planned It - Debut 09/09/72, Peaked at #53
31. Keeper Of The Castle - Debut 11/11/72, Peaked at #10
32. Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got) - Debut 02/03/73, Peaked at #4 (GOLD)
33. Are You Man Enough/Peace Of Mind - Debut 06/23/73, Peaked at #15
34. Sweet Understanding Love - Debut 10/13/73, Peaked at #33
35. I Just Can't Get You Out Of My Mind - Debut 01/26/74, Peaked at #62
36. One Chain Don't Make No Prison - Debut 05/04/74, Peaked at #41
37. Midnight Flower/All My Love - Debut 08/17/74, Peaked at #55
38. Seven Lonely Nights - Debut 05/24/75, Peaked at #71
39. We All Gotta Stick Together - Debut 12/06/75, Peaked at #97
40. Catfish/Look At My Baby - Debut 10/30/76, Peaked at #71
41. When She Was My Girl/Something To Remember - Debut 08/15/81, Peaked at #11
42. Back To School Again/Rock-A-Hula-Luau (Summer Is Coming) - Debut 05/15/82, Peaked at #71
43. Sad Hearts/I Believe In You And Me - Debut 08/28/82, Peaked at #84
44. I Just Can't Walk Away/Hang - Debut 10/22/83, Peaked at #71
45. Indestructible - Debut 08/20/88, Peaked at #35 (Theme used by NBC TV for this years Summer Olympics)
SOME SONG LYRICS
BABY I NEED YOUR LOVIN'
Baby I need your lovin'
Baby I need your lovin'
Although you're never near
Your voice I often hear
Another day, another night
I long to hold you tight
'Cause I'm so lonely
Baby, I need your lovin'
I got to have all your lovin'
Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Some say it's a sign of weakness
For a man to beg
Then weak I'd rather be
If it means havin' you to keep
'Cause lately I've been losin' sleep
Baby, I need your lovin'
I got to have all your lovin'
Baby, I need your lovin'
Got to have all your lovin'
Empty nights
Echo your name
Sometimes I wonder
Will I ever be the same
Oh yeah, when you see me smile
You know
Things have gotten worse
Any smile you might see
Has all been rehearsed
Darlin', I can't go on without you
This emptiness won't let me live without you
This loneliness inside me darlin'
Makes me feel not alive, honey
BERNADETTE
Bernadette, people are searchin' for
the kind of love that we possess.
Some go on searchin' their whole life through
and never find the love I've found in you.
And when I speak of you I see envy in other men's eyes,
and I'm well aware of what's on their minds.
They pretend to be my friend, when all the time
they long to persuade you from my side.
They'd give the world and all they own
for just one moment we have known.
Bernadette, they want you because of the pride that gives,
But Bernadette, I want you because I need you to live.
But while I live only to hold you,
Some other men, they long to control you.
But how can they control you Bernadette,
when they can not control themselves, Bernadette,
from wanting you, needing you,
But darling you belong to me.
I'll tell the world you belong to me,
I'll tell the world, you're the soul of me,
I'll tell the world you're a part of me.
In your arms I find the kind of peace of mind
the world is searching for,
But you, you give me the joy this heart of mine
has always been longing for
I CAN'T HELP MYSELF
Sugarpie honeybunch
You know that I love you
I can't help myself
I love you and nobody else
In and out my life
You come and you go
Leaving just your picture behind
And I kissed it a thousand times
When you snap your fingers
Or wink your eye
I come a running to you
I'm tied to you, baby
And there's nothing I can do
Ooh, sugar
Sugarpie honeybunch
I'm weaker than a man should be
I can't help myself
I'm a fool in love you see
Wanna tell you I don't love you
Tell you that we're through
And I've tried
But everytime I see your face
I get up all choked up inside
When I call your name, girl
It starts the flame burning in my heart
Tearin' it all apart
No matter how I try
My love I cannot hide
Sugarpie honeybunch
You now that I'm weak for you
I can't help myself
I love you and nobody else
WALK AWAY RENEE
And when I see the sign that points one way
The lot we used to pass by every day
Just walk away Renee
You won't see me follow you back home
The empty sidewalks on my block are not the same
You're not to blame
From deep inside the tears that I'm forced to cry
From deep inside the pain that I chose to hide
Just walk away Renee
You won't see me follow you back home
Now as the rain beats down upon my weary eyes
For me it cries
Just walk away Renee
You won't see me follow you back home
Now as the rain beats down upon my weary eyes
For me it cries
Your name and mine inside a heart upon a wall
Still finds a way to haunt me, though they're so small
JAGUARDOG'S FINAL THOUGHTS
"The Four Tops" are one of my all-time favorite R&B groups along with "The Temptations" and "Smokey Robinson & The Miracles". Other groups I also liked were "Martha Reeves & The Vandellas", "Gladys Knight & The Pips", "Jr. Walker & The All Stars", "The Platters", "The Mills Brothers", "The Coasters", I could go on and on. They had 27 records on the US pop album chart and the 45 singles above, they had 33 albums on the R&B charts and 48 records on the R&B singles chart. Not too many other artists had this many records make the US charts. I at one time when I had my big record collection had more singles by them then any other R&B artist. The songs I provided the lyrics for above are my favorite songs by this group which includes one of my all-time favorite songs "Walk Away Renee". I must admit that I enjoy the original version by "The Left Banke" more but "The Four Tops" version is very, very good indeed. It's hard to believe that the original members stayed together so long, a totally amazing 44 years. No other group in Music History can come close to that longevity record without one member changing.
The musical sound of "The Four Tops" was cathartic, cheerful, dramatic, elegant, energetic, exuberant, gritty, joyous, lively, passionate, plaintive, romantic, rousing, smooth, soothing, sophisticated, stylish, summery, sweet and yearning. I hope everyone enjoyed this review today and thank you all for reading, rating and leaving a comment if you have time. I wish you all a Very Safe and Happy Thanksgiving Holiday and God Bless. Up next one of the biggest arena rock stars of the 70's born in England in 1950. He had one of the biggest selling albums in the 70's with sales over 16 Million of the 2-Album set "Peter Frampton Come's Alive". Following Peter I will be covering a great Italian American singer born "Concetta Rosemarie Franconero" who began her music career at the very young age of 3 when she first started learning how to play the accordion. She was born in December 1938 and in 1957 at the age of 19 she had her very first charting record. She had many, many more hits in the 50's and 60's and this pretty young girl is better known as "Connie Francis".
POSSIBLE UPCOMING REVIEWS:
(F)
PETER FRAMPTON (Up Next)
CONNIE FRANCIS
ARETHA FRANKLIN
FREDDIE & THE DREAMERS
FREE
BOBBY FREEMAN
BOBBY FULLER FOUR, THE
BILLY FURY
(G)
PETER GABRIEL
MARVIN GAYE
J. GEILS BAND, THE
GENESIS
GERRY & THE PACEMAKERS
(MORE TO COME)
SOME MUSIC SOURCES USED INCLUDE:
http://www.allmovie.com/
http://www.allmusic.com/
http://www.amazon.com/
http://www.ask.com/
http://www.billboard.com/
http://www.bizrate.com/
http://www.leoslyrics.com/
http://www.lyrics.com/
http://www.lyricsconnection.com/
http://www.lyricsfind.com/
http://www.lyricsworld.com/
http://movies.go.com/
http://www.mtv.com
http://www.rollingstone.com/
http://www.tvguide.com/
http://www.tvtome.com/
http://www.vh1.com/
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Epinions.com ID:
JAGUARDOG
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 - Top 100 |
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Member: Ron Drain
Location: Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Reviews written: 235
Trusted by: 494 members
About Me:
I LOVE Music/TV/Movies & sports like Football - NFL/College, Baseball, Olympics - Summer/Winter and Wrestling.
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