Levi Stubbs

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They came to Motown, after being together for awhile. And help the company growth, after the Supremes and Temptations explosion on the scene. And with them was a voice that demanded attention immediately. He was Levi Stubbles. But at Motown, your name was either changed or shorten. Which seems to be a normal practice.

Jazz they could sing. But under the directions of Holland-Dozier-Holland, and a few other notable producers like Ivy Hunter and William Stevenson. They turn attention from Motown, other hit groups. Levi lived up to the lyrics of the Hollands and Lamont Dozier. While sweets strings was added to the Supremes sound. The Tops went with the songs built around Levi Stubbs powerful octave. And the songs sold without trying to be marketed to any racial targets in music. We knew the Temps was soul. The Supremes was Pop. The Tops was in the mix of both.

And it hard to think of any other Motown group having less personnel changes, after their creation. The only problem thy face at the hitsville company. Was the lost of their hit writers. It took awhile for Frank Wilson to ascend to the top tier of producers. And when he inherited them. He produced good songs. He was Motown top notch during the early seventies. He had Kendricks, Supremes with Jean Terrell and the Tops.

And realizing they have grew. The songs they sung was more mature. As with all Motown groups. The promoting was scarce for the older groups. But after leaving the Detriot company. They was successful with Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter. Dis-spelling the notion that acts couldn’t be successful, unless they was at Motown. Like Gladys Knight and the Pips, they were successful. They faced the challenge.

Where the Temptations c ouldn’t succeed at another label. Like Atlantic, the Tops did. And Levi Stubbs, was truly a humble person. He didn’t brag or boast about his group. But he knew they was special. Because friendship goes deep. And Payton, Fakir, and Benson was that.