Levi Stubbs, R.I.P.

One of my all-time favorite singers passed away in his sleep on Friday. Levi Stubbs was the dominant voice of the Four Tops, the quintessential Motown group of the 60’s. His passionate yelp lifted great tunes like “Bernadette,” “I Can’t Help Myself,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and “Standing In The Shadows Of Love” to classic status. Stubbs is also remembered fondly as the voice of Audrey II, the man-eating plant from the musical film Little Shop Of Horrors. Stubbs continued to perform with the Four Tops until the late 90’s, when he began battling cancer and then suffered a stroke. His influence on R&B singers throughout the history of the genre is incalculable.