Levi Stubbs, lead vocal of the famous group Four Tops, died today at the age of 72. Levi Stubbs was suffering from several serious conditions like cancer and a stroke and he died in his sleep in his home in Detroit.
The singer stopped performing in 2000 because of his illnesses but the group was already very well known for their inspired music and hits like "I Can't Help Myself,” "Reach Out, I'll Be There,” "Baby I Need Your Loving" and “Standing in The Shadows of Love.” The Four Tops have been included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and their songs have been covered by many, including Blondie and Clay Aiken.

Four Tops’ songs could be described as flexible as the band approached different styles over the years, including jazz, soul music, R&B, disco, adult contemporary, showtunes and doo-wop. The initial lineup of the band consisted of Levi Stubbs, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, Renaldo “Obie” Benson and Lawrence Payton and they remained in this formula until in 1997 Lawrence Payton died.
In 2005, Benson died of lung cancer and his son, Roquel, replaced him in the group. The innovation Four Tops brought to the Motown sound was using a baritone as a lead singer, instead of a tenor, like other bands used. Levi Stubbs was that baritone and his voice brought the pleasure of music to many people.

The Four Tops band mates have met while they were children and grew up together remaining friends for the rest of their lives. Maybe this is one of their secrets and maybe friendship and the raw pleasure of singing is the recipe for real music, music that lasts, not hits you forget the next day.