I just read on wikipedia that he had the opportunity not only for separate billing (Levi Stubbs and the Four Tops) but for a solo career, and he turned it down out of loyalty to his bandmates. What a class act.
Hijodeganas1 I just heard right now about Mr. Stubbs loyalty to the group on the Larry Elder radio show. Mr. Levi Stubbs was such a classy man. Larry also mentioned this video being on RU-vid and he was right, it is very emotional.
Hijodeganas1 He was offered a single career more than once but always remained loyal to the Four Tops the only band in history that had all the original singers until the end! What a voice! 🌹❤️
He was a good dude. All of them are and they all lived in the same neighborhood in Detroit. They were all very close friends. Few are so lucky to have close friends for several decades.
He wasn’t that old…..he was DYING and his voice was completely gone. That doesn’t take away from his legacy but the reality is that what we saw here was Levi Stubbs the legend. Not the singer.
Wow, this was an emotional experience for me. I never knew that Mr. Levi Stubbs appeared on stage with the Four Tops after his stroke. And to see him cry made me cry knowing that his days of entertaining us with live performances was coming to an end. I did not know Mr. Stubbs personally. But what I admire most about him was that he never sought additional fame by being featured as the lead singer. All four members shared equal billing. He spent 44 years with the original members of the Four Tops before one of them passed away and had to be replaced. He even turned down a part in the movie "Lady Sings The Blues" for fear of how it might affect the strong relationship he had with the other members of the Four Tops. When you look up the word "loyalty" in the dictionary, there should be a picture of Mr. Levi Stubbs. Rest in peace Mr. Stubbs. At least we have your music and videos to remember you by.
Those of you who gave this a thumbs down, shame on you. Don't be dissing my Levi Stubbs. The Four Tops was one of the greatest Motown groups ever! xxxx - This made me cry.
Who is here in 2023 listening oh wow just wow. We all have our talents but these folks got an extra, extra special touch from the Almighty. Born to inspire and delite, gone too soon. Good music never dies.
Heartbreaking But at the same time I think it lifted his sprits to be with his peers on stage. That man even with declining health and in a wheelchair had more talent than 90% of the so called artist of today, And I give him credit because with that great gift he had he could have had a solo career anytime he desired but he stayed with the four tops. Shows what kind of man and friend he truly was.
As time passes by and MORE of the musical creators, innovators leave us, I look at who we have now and the truly talented/anointed/gifted ones can fit in the living room.
YES LEVI STUBBS WAS MORE THAN GOOD FOR A SOLO CAREER AND ON THE OTHER HAND LEVI STUBBS AND THE THREE TOPS BUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF HIS HEART HE DID NO SUCH BOASTING BUT KEPT THE FOUR TOPS THAT WAY TO SHOW HE WAS A HUMBLE MAN AND THAT'S ONE OF THE EXAMPLES OF A TRUE FRIEND.
Levi Stubbs is the most powerful loving Motown Artist to lead a great group of over 40 years, and never sold them out! Levi Stubbs was the best lead musician of the Motown Era!
Condescending opinion ... Levi was not some 'damn poor guy'. He had a gift that he shared with us during his 70+ years on this Earth, and he had this rich gift that blew us away when he opened his mouth to sing ... even in a wheelchair post-cancer, post-stroke that richness of spirit and voice sent chills up our spines. The 4 Tops could not be the 4 Tops w/o the uniqueness that Levi Stubbs brought to the group and its repertoire.
I would have paid good money to see this performance. Did you hear how it voice was beautiful even until the last? Thank you Levi for a soundtrack of our youth.
Hi, I've watched this so many times and never fail to cry and this incredible group whose lead singer was the main man in my upbringing here in the UK, saw them a few times. in the uk. RIP Levi. I Love you..
This poor guy, his tears show that he KNOWS that he doesn't have much time to live, and sorry that he needs to leave his beloved fans, but he was willing to perform no matter what condition he's in, because they believe in him. RIP Audrey II, Our Mean Green Mother from Outer Space.
Man, I miss his voice. This is the song I walked down the aisle to. He was truly loved and missed. Even after having a stroke, you can STILL feel the passion he puts in every note.
For many years, Mr. Levi Stubbs resisted record label attempts to re-name the group, "Levi Stubbs and The Tops," (and he refused offers to star as a solo act because he was loyal to the group). Berry Gordy originally offered Stubbs the role of Louis McKay in the motion picture, "Lady Sings The Blues" (Billy Dee Williams accepted the part) but he turned it down because no parts were offered to the other group members. Also, he remained married to the same woman throughout his life. That is why you see the touching moments extended to him in the above video. Mr. Stubbs was a great man.
I have watched this over and over again and I cry every time. Aretha and Levi were good friends and they showed their love for each other whenever they performed together. Aretha thank you for you are the Queen of Soul. RIP Mr Levi Stubbs
At this special moment, Levi appreciate the beautiful life he has had and knew he was going to miss it, he shared it one last time with his band mates and people around the world, a very genuine soul, never turned against anyone, may you rest well Mr. Levi Stubbs
Anton he proved he still sing the voice was there. I too hated to see he in the wheel chair. But still loved him no matter what R. I. P. Levi Stubbs. 💞
+Average Voter Smith The first time i saw this a few years ago just watching him singing and pouring his hear out with what strength he had left in him.He was affected by a stroke when this was recorded and this was his last performance.
Looking at this 2 years later I feel a lump in my throat tears strolling down my face, So amazing so brave Levi..you truly break my heart singing with Aretha, such a beautiful tribute, 2 Amazing singers gone but never forgotten. 😢🙏😇
OmG, I don't remember crying so hard in so long. How he reminds me of my Dad! What a blessing, so glad I saw this. God bless you Soulinthesun1, for making my day!
this is so heartfelt can't stop watching this seeing levi crying his heart out hope they make a movie of the four tops like they did with the temptations R.i.paradise Levi Stubbs ♡
+MusicLover Pearson Amen, Brother. This video touches everyone who grew up with this music. I found this while in my office and my boss came in, watched it with me and burst into tears. He's a white boy from Mississippi!
+Lorraine Rolston thank you so much I don't care what race a person is anybody who watched this the tears will flow and the hairs on our body will stand up.It took all he had to sing from his heart he probably knew this would be the lady time he would sing in public again, when the cameraman pans out into the audiance you could see tears flowing from their eyes. God Bless you Levi thank you always rest in eternal peace.👆👆👆👏👏👏👏😢☺
+Lorraine Rolston I'm a white man from Mississippi, and this brings tears my eyes. I grew up in the sixties in Mississippi playing in the first integrated blues - soul crossover band in the Mississippi Delta. This music comes from the soul, The Spirit, and everybody can feel it. It's colorless.
I love him! His voice is beautiful! He is one handsome man! These two sing absolutely brilliant together. Never will you hear music again like this!! Ever again. R.I.P. Levi. Never ever met you.so maybe when I pass over I'll get a chance.😍
Whenever a Man or Woman love what they do there is no restrictions in their art. The Four Tops are One and they had Unity among their group. Levi Stubbs was that group and its like a boxer in a ring let him stay in it until The Creator calls him back. He sang his way into the ring and his voice gave vibes to the soul and moved to the rhythm of the beats that made you pat your feet, move that body, clap those hands and we enjoyed those precious moments of the Four Tops and if Levi's way was to make his final contribution on stage he did that with his group. I was happy to see him and it appears he was happy to say his final goodbyes to his supporters over the many years of sharing his talents given to him by The Creator for us to enjoy. The Four Tops left a love in all of our hearts and souls which we will never forget. Its sad to see him and the others transition to the next life, but as he has shown us and reminded us, we all have to depart and transition one day. The Four Tops left us something to enjoy while we endure on this journey. Now the question is: What will we contribute and leave for others to enjoy?
So emotional....wow... words cannot discribe how beautiful this tribute was for one of the greatest R&B volcalists that ever lived. R.I.P. Mr. Levi Stubbs.
Wow, this was so touching! What happened to Levi?? I had the honor of personally meeting all of the 4 Tops some years ago when they performed at THE RADISSON HOTEL, MERRILLVILLE, IN. My professor Cousin Ed Gooch, Flugel Horn Player, was performing with their orchestra. Levi passed the mic to me in the front row audience to sing along with them, during their their awesome concert. He didn't even know that I was there with my cousin and didn't know me. After the show, my cousin took me back stage and I met them all. This is such a shocker for me!! God bless him.
Ohhhhhh. This is one of the most poignant moments that I have ever witnessed. I can't help getting choked up here. It's everything...the way that his faithful bandmates treated him, with the dignity, loyalty, and respect that Levi truly deserved. Aretha, the guys, and the whole audience rooting for him. Whewww!!! Teardrops. Levi, here in the final months of his life, still showing a style and grace, and goodness that was unmatched. He in his prime was one of the greatest lead singers of all time. This moment is an "oil painting" of love and humanity. May our glorious Lord hold him close.
I Believe in Good Soul Music ! They don't come much better than Levis Stubbs n the Four Tops with this phenomenal song. I Believe in You and Me. . This video is a real tear-jerker !
I feel so old as I listen to Levi and Aretha sing this tribute . Thank you my soul friends for all of my greatest memories of music. Miss you all my Motown family. Only Duke is still here from the 4 Tops, and I think Smokey is around yet. The great Motown Era music helped me get through the 60's and 70's. Bless you all.
I was blessed to see the Four Tops perform live in Vegas. I've always been a fan. It's a shame both Levi and his first cousin Jackie Wilson were taken from us.
I miss him also and all the great songs that he sang to the world..His sister married my uncle so I guess that would make him my uncle, although I didn't get to know him either but loved everything he sung..One of the Greatest Classic singers of his time..I'm honored to be in the family..R.I.P Levi :-(
Levi was battling cancer and had suffered a heart attack and stroke but still manage to maintain his stage presence, humor and sing his signature ballad that was covered by Whitney Houston. Class Acts. Now he's finally singing with his musical brothers Lawerence, Obie and Duke who made his transition yesterday in heaven.
The love that they had for him shows in their faces and in the care they gave him on stage by wiping his tears away! We lost a great man and one of the best voices of all time!
Thank you Levi for that wonderful voice and your talent that you brought to this world. And to think he didn't want to sing lead coz he thought he wasn't good enough. I think that's what I read. Love you, brother and RIP.
Mr. Stubbs had the most beautiful voice! Every time I see this video, it slays me. I'm sitting here crying. I wish great health to everyone! I miss Mr. Stubbs' voice!
I cried listening to this...Levi was the greatest Soul & Motown singer ever! Seeing him and hearing him sing just now brought back decades of happy memories of my youth in the 60's and in later adulthood. Thank you Levi...you gave a generation so much happiness with that beautiful voice of yours
omg............I cant stop crying........levi...........I will never forget the change you made in my world...you levi our the soul inspiration in my voice when I sing...my mentor forever...I love you and thank you for your wonderful light you shined on the world called music...your fan forever...rip levi stubbs.......
I BELIEVE IN OUR KINGS AND QUEENS OF DISTINCTION, OF PRIDE OF CULTURAL STRUGGLES, OF LEGACIES WE HOPE TO CARRY FORWARD. WOW WOW WOW. LEVI AND ARETHA,😏uumm💔💔💔💔💔💔💔 What a wonderful people we are!!!💖💖💖💖
The ENTIRE auditorium was standing up for this heartfelt, tear jerking, performance. I remember this performance. I cried then and in 2021 I am STILL crying from this. So much love, Respect and class on that stage. Continue to Rest high in Heaven, Levi, Aretha, Obie, and Lawrence!
thank you for posting this. i am watching this with tears in my eyes. Levi was a gentleman to the core! he and the four tops left us a beautiful legacy of music for the ages. God bless them all and their families. Merry Christmas!
This is the definition of “no one man is bigger than the group”. You watch this and feel the love they had for each other, up there wiping the tears off Levi’s face is priceless. Only makes me think if The Temptations could have gotten it together. . . Great post. 💙💙💙💙
I had never seen this video...It brought tears to my eyes...Aretha has such a big heart sharing the stage with Levi Stubbs...That man was an absolute powerhouse! What a voice!
Just seeing him there gives the impression he was such a sweet and talented man, more than I can say compared to what we called 'talented' in today's music industry like Miley Cyrus or Justin Bieber. RIP: Levi Stubbs, Audrey II.
generations yet unborn will here the echo of your voice,my great great kids will here you sing i cant help myself i love you and nobody else, in too are lives you came and you left leaving just your voice behind, rest in peace mr stubbs talent and class you were always both,
