Changes

Levi Stubbs, Abdul Fakir, Renaldo Benson and Lawrence Payton

Levi Stubbs, Abdul Fakir, Renaldo Benson and Lawrence Payton began singing in 1953 while attending high school in [[Detroit]] under the name “The Four Ames”, but would change their

began singing in 1953 while attending high school in [[Detroit]]

name to “'''The Four Tops'''” to dismiss any confusion with the very successful group, “The Ames Brothers”.

under the name “The Four Ames”, but would change their

name to “The Four Tops” to dismiss any confusion with

the very successful group, “The Ames Brothers”.

While touring as a nightclub act they recorded for several record

While touring as a nightclub act they recorded for several record companies including Chess and Columbia, but it was not until they signed with home town label Motown that The Four Tops had their first big hit in 1964, “Baby, I Need Your Lovin’”. The following year The Four Tops had their first #1 hit, “I Can’t Help Myself”. It was followed a few months later with a top five, “It’s the Same Old Song”. In 1966 “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” topped the charts and was followed in 1967 with two top five hits, “Standing in the Shadows of Love” and “Bernadette”.

companies including Chess and Columbia, but it was not until they

signed with home town label Motown that The Four Tops had their

first big hit in 1964, “Baby, I Need Your Lovin’”. The following year

The Four Tops had their first #1 hit, “I Can’t Help Myself”. It was

followed a few months later with a top five, “It’s the Same Old Song”.

In 1966 “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” topped the charts and was

followed in 1967 with two top five hits, “Standing in the

Shadows of Love” and “Bernadette”.

Among their other hits were, “Something About You”,

Among their other hits were, “Something About You”, “Shake Me, Wake Me”, “Walk Away Renee”, “If I Were a Carpenter”, “Still Water”, “River Deep, Mountain High”, “Keeper of the Castle”

“Shake Me, Wake Me”, “Walk Away Renee”, “If I Were a Carpenter”,

“Still Water”, “River Deep, Mountain High”, “Keeper of the Castle”

and “Ain’t No Woman, Like the One I’ve Got”.

and “Ain’t No Woman, Like the One I’ve Got”.

Until the passing of Laurence Payton in 1997, the original Four Tops

Until the passing of Laurence Payton in 1997, the original Four Tops stayed together performing for four decades. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

stayed together performing for four decades. They were inducted

 

into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.