The Untold Truth Of The Four Tops(Motown Legends Ep26) 

Otis Williams has stated that Levi Stubbs was a "problem"...in other words vocally he had no peer at Motown. His baritone could reach inside you and make you feel his pain.

@@nodoor9132 exactly 💯

On a scale of 1 to 10: The Temptations are an 8.5; The Four Tops are a solid 10!!

Well in my opinion the temptations was definitely the main attraction for motown for many years. With that said the four tops took the spotlight from everybody when they were hot. So this can be a hard decision to make. The temptations had many lead singer's. The four tops stayed true to form throughout their entire career. According to levy stubbs all of the four tops could have taken lead. Levy was a great R&B singer. The rest of the group was In perfect harmony.

@@nodoor9132 that depended on who you asked, most motown artist and fans would argue marvin gaye had no peer!

I also appreciate that loyalty. Even the girl singer from the Seekers should have learned that lesson.

Word...one of the most underrated and overlooked voices in recording history

Yes yes yes!!

Dramatics sang Hey you get off my mountain

Reggalove, you get a bullseye on that.todays music is lame compared to the Motown talent.

You are absolutely correct.

AMEN 🙏 🙏 🙏 TEMPS, 🥲 😌 TOUCHED MY HEART ❤ MY SOUL MY EARS,AND EYES 👀 💙!! THEIR SOUND WAS GOSPEL LIKE!! THAT I LOVE ❤!! 4 TOPS VERY GOOD, MORE POP SOUNDING TO ME!!❣❣

I loved how the Temps had 4 distinctive voices with Otis being the glue, holding the middle baritone/tenor.

The Four Tops gave you something to look at too. Four Tops my favorite group ever. Levi Stubbs had the best voice ever, golden voice

@@annetterichard7425 when I said that the Temps gave you something to look at I meant their moves and dance. The 4 Tops were great singers but they did not have the choreography of the Temps.

Jackie Wilson was his equal!

@@NathanAHogan Thank you.

yes they did , but unlike others they knew it is the group and put all bs aside. They loved each other

...and the Dells. The Dells and Tops are the most underrated groups in R&B history.

@@sierria64 yes they probably had their ups and downs like any other group but it never got to the point that someone had to depart because of it.

I never met any human being who didn't have personal problems. No not one.some people.say the darnest things.

@@garymayfield5995 why is that

@@NathanAHoganwhat if I like gospel style harmonies over jazz style harmonies, or Vice versa? 😭

@@teddyj.3198 well then you would like the Temps more because all of the Temps have church backgrounds so you just contradicted yourself and they have more of a gospel sound then the Tops Jazzy feel

@@NathanAHogan he don’t know who’s who🤣

@@johnomalley7211 look up the definition of Vice versa…idiot

The Four Tops had a greater depth of vocal artistry than The Temptations. Four Tops had uncanny ability to "cover songs," resulting in masterpieces like Walk Away Renee, Mac Arthur Park, Do What You Gotta Do, and California Dreamin' (with Lawrence Payton singing lead). And their harmony is unmatched! I like The Temptations--they're terrific! But, to me, it's not a close comparison. The Four Tops are the superior sing group!! 🎤🎤🎤🎤

It isn’t. My girl is.

@@MFjaYWiLL nope its not My Girl only hit number 1 on Pop Charts and R&B charts in America that's it. It's not number 1 nowhere else in the world.

@@jamargoodman7003 so what? Doesn’t need to be. America dominates charts worldwide. Lol that’s why all acts want to come to America.

@@MFjaYWiLL Point is The Tops have the biggest record out of the 2 groups just giving facts.

@@jamargoodman7003 oh okay.. cause it won’t a Grammy? Like Papa was a rolling stone? Or cloud nine? Oh it didn’t? Oh okay 👍🏽

Also the Tops were more popular in the UK than in the US

Renaldo "Obie Benson wasn't the writer of What's Going On but the inspiration for the song. Renaldo "Obie" Benson witnessed in 1969 police brutality & violence against protestors during a protest held by Anti-War Activist. Upset by what he witnessed he discussed what he saw with his friend & songwriter Al Cleveland, who wrote & composed a song reflecting Benson's feelings and concerns. In 1970 Benson presented the song to Marvin Gaye, who tweaked it by added his own lyrics and a new melody. Gaye was going to give the song to The Originals but after his brother and others returned home from the Viet Nam War. He felt he couldn't do anymore Love songs but needed to address and get answers to What's Going On, in the world during that time. That song still resonates today. and was ahead of it's time

@@NathanAHogan only one other person but three sang lead for the Temptations

@@NathanAHogan exactly. However Berry Gordy wwould had preferred only one lead singer the Temptations and one or two writers insisted that the members of th group take turns singing lead. Otis had sung lead in an early Temptation song. Melvin had sang lead on Ole man river. Gordy was a genuis in starting motown and polishing he groups to he accepted mainstream. He had a narrow scope on versatility of his groups

@@garymayfield5995 not on record. Can't find anything where Fakir sang lead while Levi was still with the group

I loved/love The Four Tops too. Nevertheless, they were not better than The Temptations.

Why compare? Both groups style was different both were incredibly successful in their own right.

@@garymayfield5995 I do agree, 100%; not even close.

The 4 Tops formed in 1954 and signed there first deal in 1956 to Chess Records. The Spinners in 1955 and had several personnel changes including lead singers The 4 Tops holds the record for a group to stay together the longest without personnel changes from 54-97.

Temptations had 37 top 40 Pop hit singles. The Four Tops had 24.

Temps

Levi and Jackie was member’s for a “You Blink You’ll Miss It Moment”

@@WBPTV who said that? The tops formed in 1954 and thats the only group levi was with

@@WBPTV ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WyozXIscRVE.html I really enjoy your channel very much. I found something that I think you and yours might enjoy watching. Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to this channel.

You're wrong Bernadette was number 4 on the pop charts.

More successful maybe

I have to agree with that

I'm a child of the late 70s and early 80s. But I loved the Four tops. My mom, had a lot of groups albumns, my older siblings had their favorite. I still say The Four Tops was up there. Trust me I loved the temps, Eddie was my favorite. David came in when the group needed a strong voice. As a group they all contributed. Well maybe Otis was in the background. But Levi was a good singer. They were right to have him as the lead singer. In many ways The Four Tops was up there. For that era with David Ruffin ability to sing as well as his dramatic performances. Was good for the group. But there were great singers in the group after him. Unlike the Temps. The four tops didn't have a lot of Drama. I guess there will be those who will say The Temptations was the Best but I guess that depends on whose voice made the song a favorite. I won't leave out The Four Tops. Because they had a lot great songs to, maybe they didn't have the moves or fancy clothes, but they didn't need them Levi managed to sing some great songs. There is no need to argue. Because they were both Great groups. As I was told The Temptations had no Lead singer. But had some Great lead vocalist. The moves, some of the out fits were right on. Maybe it's just my imagination.✌️❤️🖖🙂🙌. Love, respect and positivity always. Vee j.

Exactly....and it ain't even close!

All the Motown singers and the Funk Brothers were excellent in every way: talented in music, manners, even in outward appearance. They look[ed] better than today's musical artists, which is rap and hip-hop. That is not my speed like the old, original and authentic music.

That 1st lineup of the Temptations was together for 3 years until 1967. The Tops didn't have a lineup change until 1997. Stability and longevity

@@NathanAHogan Good point. I meant the pre David Ruffin period but after Al & Richard Street left. The Hitless Temptations

I disagree the tops were second to the temps they were the top two male groups cause of how their showmanship style was they were upfront of the Motown label cause the fact they had great music and great singers and they were more pop mainstream it just the temptations had more success than them cause I think they were more flashy with dance steps and their wardrobe game.

@@90skidineffect88 I agree and also (and I mean this with no respect bc the talent shines regardless) the Temptations each being tall and handsome/fine helped too!

@@nikmariealex I agree they had that advantage over the four tops !!!

Tops were much bigger than the Dramatics. Check with Billboard magazine.