Is there a movie about the Four Tops?
Motown on Showtime: Temptations and Four Tops (TV Movie 1986) – IMDb.
Are there any of the original Four Tops still alive?
The only surviving member, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, leads a version of the Four Tops that includes Payton’s son, Roquel. Stubbs “could easily have made it as a solo star,” Gordy said, “but his love and loyalty” kept the four men “together longer than any group I know. His integrity and character were impeccable.”
What are the names of the original Four Tops?
The Four Tops started their musical career as the Four Aims at a house party in Detroit in 1964. Members included Levi Stubbs, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, Renaldo “Obie” Benson and Lawrence Payton. They changed the group’s name to The Four Tops to avoid confusion with a popular group of the day, the Ames Brothers.
How did the Four Tops get their name?
They chose the name the Four Aims, to reflect their high aims for success. In 1956, they signed with Chess Records, and the label’s executives suggested that they change their name to avoid confusion with the Ames Brothers, who were a popular male quartet at the time.
What is the Four Tops most famous song?
Track listing
| No. | Title | Original album |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Baby I Need Your Loving” | Four Tops (1965) |
| 2. | “It’s the Same Old Song” | Four Tops Second Album (1965) |
| 3. | “Reach Out I’ll Be There” | Reach Out (1967) |
| 4. | “Ask the Lonely” | Four Tops (1965) |
How many original Four Tops are there?
In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked them #79 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. The Four Tops continue to perform with Fakir as the last surviving original member….
| Four Tops | |
|---|---|
| Past members | Levi Stubbs Renaldo “Obie” Benson Lawrence Payton Theo Peoples Harold Bonhart |
How many of the Four Tops are still living?
Fakir, who continues to perform with the Tops’ current lineup, is now the last surviving member.) The Four Tops in the mid-’60s. Clockwise from bottom left, Levi Stubbs, Obie Benson, Abdul Fakir and Lawrence Payton.
Did the Four Tops leave Motown?
The Four Tops leave Motown in 1972, but not before Obie Benson plays his part as co-writer of “What’s Going On,” a song which redefines Marvin Gaye – and Motown – forever. Marvin tells Frank Wilson, who produced Still Waters Run Deep, that the Tops’ album helped inspire his work.
Are Jimmy and David related?
Ruffin, who was the older brother of late Temptations lead singer David Ruffin, was born in Collinsville, Mississippi in 1936. He signed with Motown and released the Top 10 hit “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” in 1966.
Was Dennis Edwards a member of the Temptations?
Dennis Edwards Jr. Edwards joined the Temptations in 1968, replacing David Ruffin and sang with the group from 1968 to 1976, 1980 to 1984 and 1987 to 1989. In the mid-1980s, he attempted a solo career, scoring a hit in 1984 with “Don’t Look Any Further” (featuring Siedah Garrett).
Who wrote songs for the Four Tops?
Like other major Motown groups, the Four Tops were joined by the writing team of Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Brian Holland. This trio wrote songs that worked perfectly with the Four Tops, such as “Baby I Need Your Loving” which was their first big hit in 1964.