Artist

The Four Tops

1963-present·Detroit

The Four Tops signed to Motown in 1963 and became one of Holland-Dozier-Holland's most reliable vehicles, scoring major hits including "I Can't Help Myself" and "Reach Out I'll Be There." Levi Stubbs sang lead with a gospel-trained urgency that made even the group's biggest pop hits feel like they were being wrung out of him, and that combination—gospel harmonies underneath, Stubbs's desperate lead on top—defined Motown's mid-1960s sound as much as any single production team did. "Reach Out I'll Be There" stands as one of Holland-Dozier-Holland's most ambitious records: strings swelling, horns cutting through on the offbeat, an arrangement dense enough to nearly bury the vocal, except that Stubbs never let it.

The full story is in Motown.

At a glance

Active
1963–present
From
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Records in the issues
1 (1967)
Listening guide track
“Baby I Need Your Lovin'”

Listen

In the Motown listening guide: “Baby I Need Your Lovin'”

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In the issues

  • Motown
    Supporting cast · 1959-1972 · Members

    Motown is a music scene from Detroit, Michigan, USA, 1959–1972. Its principal artists include Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Supremes and Stevie Wonder. This issue covers 10 essential albums and 16 dated events.

Records