Four Tops

The Four Tops are an American vocal group formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1953 as the Four Aims. They were one of the most commercially successful American pop music groups of the 1960s into the 1980s. They helped propel Motown Records to international fame. The group's repertoire has incorporated elements of soul, R&B, disco, adult contemporary, doo-wop, jazz, and show tunes. Lead singer Levi Stubbs, along with backing vocalists Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Renaldo "Obie" Benson and Lawrence Payton remained together in the group for over four decades, performing until 1997 without a change in personnel. Along with fellow Motown groups the Miracles, the Marvelettes, Martha and the Vandellas, the Temptations, and the Supremes, the Four Tops helped to establish the "Motown sound"; pop-friendly soul and R&B with a clean, polished production quality. They were notable for having Stubbs, a baritone, as their lead singer, whereas most other male and mixed vocal groups of the time were fronted by tenors.

Related pages
The Temptations
The Supremes
The Chordettes
The Andrews Sisters

Category:American musical groups
Category:1953 establishments in the United States
Category:1950s establishments in Michigan
Category:Musical groups established in the 1950s
Category:1950s American music groups
Category:1960s American music groups
Category:1970s American music groups
Category:1980s American music groups
Category:1990s American music groups
Category:2000s American music groups
Category:2010s American music groups
Category:2020s American music groups
Category:Musical groups from Detroit
Category:Soul bands