ABOUT
The Four Tops are a highly acclaimed and veteran R&B/soul/pop vocal group with a great deal of crossover appeal that became famous beginning in the mid 1960s. As one of Motown's all-time top acts along with The Miracles, The Supremes, and The Temptations, they helped define the "Motown sound" with such era-defining classics as "I Can't Help Myself" (1965) and "Reach Out I'll Be There" (1966), which both topped the R&B and Pop/Rock charts, along with "It's The Same Old Song" (1965), "Standing In The Shadows Of Love" (1966), and "Bernadette" (1967).
Formed in 1953 in Detroit, Michigan while all the members were still in high school and first known as The Four Aims, the original lineup consisted of bass-baritone Renaldo "Obie" Benson (June 14, 1936 - July 1, 2005), first tenor Abdul "Duke" Fakir (December 26, 1935 - July 22, 2024), second tenor Lawrence Payton (March 2, 1938 - June 20, 1997), and lead singer/baritone Levi Stubbs (June 6, 1936 - October 17, 2008). This foursome remained together for over four decades, performing until 1997 without any personnel changes, with Fakir as the longest-serving member up to his passing in 2024. They signed with Chess in 1956, renaming themselves The Four Tops, and went on to record with Columbia and a number of other labels before signing with Motown in 1963. After their debut in 1964 on both the R&B and Pop/Rock charts with "Baby I Need Your Loving," their long string of hits continued through 1988 on both charts. They had their third and final #1 on the R&B charts in 1981 with "When She Was My Girl."
The Four Tops' numerous honors and accolades include being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.
LINKS
- The Guardian remembers Abdul 'Duke' Fakir, Levi Stubbs, and Renaldo 'Obie' Benson.
- The Independent remembers Lawrence Payton.
SHOP EXCLUSIVE RECORDINGS FOR FOUR TOPS
Disclosure: The following links will take you to various online merchants outside of allbutforgottenoldies.net that sell recordings and other merchandise for the performing artist featured on this page. Please note that these are referral or affiliate links from which allbutforgottenoldies.net may receive, at no additional cost to you, a commission if you should make any purchases through them.
- Four Tops - CDs, vinyl, & more - Amazon.com
- Four Tops - Digital music - Amazon.com
- Four Tops - Rare vinyl, CDs, & more - MusicStack.com
- Four Tops - Sheet Music - SheetMusicPlus.com
SONGS
To listen to a song clip, click any song title that has a speaker icon. This will take you to a list of links to CD and/or MP3 product pages from one or more online merchants that have sound samples.
Four Tops
- 7 Rooms Of Gloom 1967
- Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got) 1973
- Are You Man Enough 1973
- Ask The Lonely 1965
- Baby I Need Your Loving 1964
(This song later also became a hit for Johnny Rivers (1967), O.C. Smith (1970), and Eric Carmen (1979).) - Bernadette 1967
- I Can't Help Myself 1965
(This Motown classic topped the both the R&B and Pop/Rock charts and later also became a hit for Donnie Elbert (1972) and Bonnie Pointer (1980). "I Can't Help Myself" is included in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.) - If I Were A Carpenter 1968
(This song was previously a hit for Bobby Darin (1966) and later also became a hit for Johnny Cash & June Carter (1970), Bob Seger (1972), and Leon Russell (1974).) - It's All In The Game 1970
(This song was previously a hit for Tommy Edwards (1958) and Cliff Richard (1964).) - It's The Same Old Song 1965
(This song later also became a hit for KC & the Sunshine Band (1978).) - Keeper Of The Castle 1972
- Reach Out I'll Be There 1966
(This Motown classic, which is considered by many to be the Four Tops signature song, topped both the R&B and Pop/Rock charts later also became a hit for Merrilee Rush (1968), Diana Ross (1971), Gloria Gaynor (1975), and Michael Bolton (1992). "Reach Out I'll Be There" is included in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.) - Standing In The Shadows Of Love 1966
(This lovelorn song is included in Rolling Stone magazine's list of 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time.) - Sweet Understanding Love 1973
- Walk Away Renee 1968
(This song was previously a hit for the Left Banke (1966) and later also became a hit for Southside Johnny & the Jukes (1986).) - You Keep Running Away 1967
Previous Artist | Next Artist
