West Coast 65 yr old white kid here, I just can't imagine how empty the 60s-70s would have been without Motown and the Four Tops. Music that will be studied 1000 yrs from today. RIP Duke
@@rickarnold6825 Thank You so much. The music from Motown echoed through my home growing up. It bought unity in my high school during segregation in the 60s. The school administration was smart enough to sponsor dances monthly. We danced together and made lifelong friends. My youngest sister Renee loved this song. She was the family darling. Hold your loved ones close, we are only here a short while. God Bless Rick.
@@rickarnold6825 Thank You so much. The music from Motown echoed through my home growing up. It bought unity in my high school during segregation in the 60s. The school administration was smart enough to sponsor dances monthly. We danced together and made lifelong friends. My youngest sister Renee loved this song. She was the family darling. Hold your loved ones close, we are only here a short while. God Bless Rick.
I grew up Scottish, was a Bowie fan but The Four Tops were (and still are) my favourite Motown band ever. God bless you Duke, it can't have been easy being the lone survivor. My heart goes out to your family.
They were such a great group, and Levi Stubbs was such a great lead singer. He could have definitely achieved more fame and fortunr by going solo, but he stayed loyal to the Four Tops, and to Detroit.
@@KhanflomahInstrumentals Was it? The four tops and Johnny Rivers had big hits of the same song, ‘ Baby, I need your lovin.’ There was nothing racist about enjoying, both. The left Bank and the Four tops also had wonderful versions of ‘just walk away Renee.’ The Four tops were Great. The music hits were abundant in that time, before todays woke see everything through a tunnel vision; thanks to the foreigner and Mike.
Hearing about Duke dying brought me back to this song, literally has been in repeat all day. The Four Tops hands my favorite Motown group, Levi Stubbs my favorite male singer. My name isn’t Renee but this song always, always makes me cry. Their voices, the emotion brings back so many memories. They are all together again, Rest In Eternal Peace Gentlemen, you are loved and missed.
He not only stayed with as part of the group,but also flatly refused seperate billing ie as Levi Stubbs and the etc etc unlike many groups particularly Motown acts of the time,all out of loyalty to his fellow group members which he was happy just to be part of, Total Respect for him.
Saw them live in London in the late 70s with a big orchestra. They sounded exactly like the records. Superb singers - was there ever a better vocalist than Levi - singing remarkable songs. A wonderful evening.
I was in high school when this came out.Some of us walked around singing it for weeks not even knowing that it was a cover.When I grew older, I listened to the original. I was not moved.I am now 71 and this rendition still haunts me.Wonderful,Wonderful, Wonderful ❤
@@tfer1977 I knew it! So am I and so was Levi. We're both 06/06 and you named my two most favourite songs by them, and featuring Levi, it would be, Climb Every Mountain. ♊ 💕 🌹 ✨
No words can describe how Levi's voice makes me feel.....makes me breathless . It had such an effect on me as as a kid of 13 and now at 68 years old still the same.
@@Me-je2uw White Plains New York was the County Seat for what was the wealthiest piece of real-estate in the world (at that time.) There were good and bad sides to that.
This is probably my favourite ever Four Tops song, just so haunting and sung by a music superstar with a fantastic voice - if only you could go back in time and enjoy this music when it first happened.
Yes you are correct. I find it a compliment to this wonderful song that both of them put out such a soulful rendition . I have surfed "Renee" and listened to many more renditions also. Peace...@@cirrus1964
Original song by the "The Left Bank" of the 60s from NYC. The Four Tops make the song their own with their distinctive voices they nail it spot on and make it better. Pure voices and orchestration.
If only there was just ONE group today of the same caliber as The Four Tops! Who could even come close to their impeccable musical style?!! So glad I can still enjoy their songs today!!
🥲Makes me tear up for long-lost days of happiness, safety, just all-around better times. Only rarely was there something bad on the news .... Not everyday like now. I long for my school days of the 1960's. This was one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite groups! The Four Tops!! Well done gentlemen!
You wrote the words & the emotions from my heart. How I often think & long for yesteryear. I have shed many tears whilst listening to The Four Tops & their counterparts. There will never be another era like the '60s.
I ran into a checker at my grocery store the other day and I asked if she knew there was a song about her! She was shocked and said, "There is no song with my name in it!?" So I sang a few bars and she was so overcome with joy, she came from around the check stand and asked if she could give me a hug? And me being me, I said, but only if I can keep singing!? After she hugged me, she said can I give you a kiss on the cheek. 😘 That's when I was shocked! So she did! She then told me, she NEVER had ANYONE sing to her and definitely not a song with her name in it before . . . and that's why we need OLD people! #UNBELIEVEABLE #forher #andforme
As part of my job for an entertainment publication I got to interview many of the members of Motown groups and other black recording artists. Alll of them lamented the rise of rap and demise of an avenue for talented black vocalists to get their voices heard. It's everybody's loss.
Duke's dad was from Pakistan. He also dated Mary Wilson. You can imagine how Berry Gordy must feel. So many of his artists died at young ages, but he lived to be in his 90's. What a legacy he created!
"Your name and mine inside a heart upon a wall Still finds a way to haunt me, though they're so small" That lyric just tears me up, don't know why, but it does. My favorite of all the great Four Tops recordings
I know what you mean!!! I feel exactly the same way "The empty sidewalk on my block is not the same." It just makes me think about being a kid in the neighborhood. At that age, you never imagine your friends going in different directions, moving away, or just growing up and moving on. The way the Tops sing this song just hits my heart and makes me think of a time that has a different color in my memory.
Levi Stubbs was the lead singer of the Rhythm & Blues, Soul-Rock group The Four Tops, a hugely successful group on The Motown record label in the 60s and early 70s. Levi Stubs had a pleasing, slightly raspy-baritone voice emulated and revered by many current singers. He was renowned for his voice.
I think The Four Tops really did a great R&B justice on this song and made it one of their signature tunes reaching #14 on "The Billboard Hot 100" in 1968. I like it better than the original by The Left Banke reaching #5, Sept 24, 1966. This plaintive love song was written by the 16 year old drummer for the band. Levi Stubbs was diagnosed with cancer in 1995, and after suffering a stroke in 2000, he was no longer able to tour. (Wiki) He died in his sleep on October 17, 2008, at his home in Detroit. A memorial service for Stubbs was held at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit on October 27. "The Four Tops - Walk Away Renee", Fave to this day!
The Left Banke’s original take was marvelous, but leave it to the 4 Tops for making that song in question “Walk Away Renée even the more fabulous. So if there was a place for more than just one musical singing groups, both (The Left Banke and The Four Tops) will always & forever be THE G. O. A. T. ‘S of popular music. And if you can wonder what G. O. A. T. stands for, THEY’RE THE GREATEST
I guess I know what the rest stand for THEY’RE THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME….. NUFF SAID PUFF!!!! Thanx 4 Givin’ Me an added chance to complete my verbal tribute to both legendary successful popular musical groups that never sang those classics very much the more classical. They were masters n da business!!! BAR NONE.
I was 12 years old and later were totally in Rock, but Soul music was great and even I loved all songs by the Four Tops, my no 1 song of all was "Walk away Renee", always got goose bumps when listening to this so lovely song and the a bit sad lyrics.
Today's so called "artists" rely on auto tune, fake images and machines is why.The music industry consumed itself and now worse we have useless "djs" as entertainment, ha, no way man. We're doomed.
I’m 30 years old my mother introduced me to the 60 70 80 music I love them more so is my young kids I don’t let them listen to rap naked lady only classic lady
When I was 15 or 16 years old, (1969/70/71? ), I saw The Four Tops at The Dome in Brighton. (Labi Saffri.. (It Must Be Love)... was their support act.) They played the first couple of bars of Walk Away Renee and the the guys walked on to the stage in single file singing. The place erupted!!! The audience went wild. And a lot of people rushed down to the stage. I was nearer the back and wanted to watch them. I ended up dancing in the aisle near my seat. I used to love the Northern Soul style of dancing. Fantastic!!!! I returned to The Dome a while later to watch the Supremes (post the Diana Rigg split) and "Up the Ladder to the Roof etc". The Dome had put up huge posters on the side of the stage to say that anyone dancing in the aisles or in front of the stage (as per 4 Tops) would be thrown out. I think the posh seats didn't like it. Thank you Four Tops for such memories and Motown for the beautiful revolution that you were.
Can remember seeing the various Motown bands on Top of the Pops, but none had the style, the class, the voices that The Four Tops had. A part of my childhood and now the last one, Duke, has gone😢
I put the heart on a tree before having to writing it on a wall... She'd cut the tree down....🙄 Kinda missed her point by that gesture. Well, its been 40 years now Still hopin'😞
actually it's about unrequited love... written by a 16 year old about a bandmate's then girlfriend... renee fladden. she was also the inspiration for the band's single Pretty Ballerina . The 4 tops make the song smooth... but the Left Banke's vocalist conveys the teenage angst of the lyrics better.
The FOUR TOPS, one of my favorite groups with the great lead vocals of Levi Stubbs. Three of the Four (Obi, Lawerence, Levi) have since passed bringing sadness to the music world. May they Rest In Peace and thank Duke for carrying the torch. Just finished reading the recent book by Duke Fakir and it is a great read, could not put it down.
Tops are so cool! The song was already a hit by left bank but the tops showed they could deal with it and they did it’s beautiful👍👍👍👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👀💕💕💕💕🍹🍹👀👌
I'm here because I heard of the death of Abdul Fakir whilst listening to Boom radio earlier in the day. It must have been difficult for him to witness the passing of each bandmate, leaving him as the sole remaining member of a quartet that had performed and stayed loyal to each other for many decades. R.I.P. Duke.
Profiles in Pittsburgh Allegheny County PA I'm so proud to say that I love the Four Tops. They gave us music that went straight to her heart. We never want you to walk away from us with your music. Because you are someone special all four of you. Sister forever Nora Parker❤
I can't believe there are other people who sing some of the four tops songs. I wouldn't even listen to them. No one could have sounded as good as these guys. They were my favorite Motown!
Michael Brown has stated that the song is one of a number he wrote about Renée Fladen, the then-girlfriend of the Left Banke's bassist Tom Finn and object of Brown's affection. She was associated with the band for a few weeks, and was described as a free-spirited and tall blonde.
There are few truly deserving the label of "incomparable," but Levi Stubbs fully earned such praise. So much nuance and emotional depth, in under three minute songs, carrying through the static, am signal through the cheap cardboard car speaker, to still make us cry back then. He was so fortunate, and rewarded, to have a career renaissance that brought his name to the forefront, serendipitously, as the voice of Audrey the alien carnivorous plant, in Little Shop of Horrors, the movie, which underappreciated his comedic skills and flair for the unrestrained scene stealing.
I'm not gonna lie, I've been pretty depressed since Duke Fakir passed away. I love The Four Tops and losing Duke feels like a chapter of time just got slammed shut. I'll always look back fondly on the memories of listening to The Four Tops dancing with my first baby in the kitchen in the morning when we were living in Detroit. RIP to The Four Tops.
Love these guys and as much as I love this song..indestructible one of my fav songs of all time saw them perform it live these guys were amazing,they were indestructible that’s why they lasted as long as they did,together as one
How I miss these groups, their songs which had a tune and whose lyrics we could hear clearly. There was much more creativity then, the songs were much more varied than today, and the voices had different tones
RIP Duke! As a middle class white kid who grew up in Detroit you and all of Motown such a huge part of my life growing up in the 60's!
All four original members now gone from us, but I'm sure their legacy will live on with the younger, newer generation Duke had assembled around him.
I'm now 68... My teenage years were spent listening Motown especially the Four Tops and TEMPTATIONS. (Hi From England.)
West Coast 65 yr old white kid here, I just can't imagine how empty the 60s-70s would have been without Motown and the Four Tops. Music that will be studied 1000 yrs from today.
RIP Duke
RIP Four Tops.
It makes me wonder how American 'black' music seems to have died as well, is Rap even music?
Levi, Please sing to my sister Renee in Heaven. I used to sing this song to her. She was my darling, I miss her so.
Judith: I'm so sorry for your loss.
@@rickarnold6825 Thank You so much. The music from Motown echoed through my home growing up. It bought unity in my high school during segregation in the 60s. The school administration was smart enough to sponsor dances monthly. We danced together and made lifelong friends. My youngest sister Renee loved this song. She was the family darling. Hold your loved ones close, we are only here a short while. God Bless Rick.
@@rickarnold6825 Thank You so much. The music from Motown echoed through my home growing up. It bought unity in my high school during segregation in the 60s. The school administration was smart enough to sponsor dances monthly. We danced together and made lifelong friends. My youngest sister Renee loved this song. She was the family darling. Hold your loved ones close, we are only here a short while. God Bless Rick.
@Rob Thank you, Rob. Sometimes I think I love too much. Sorrow for the loss of your Sister also.
Renee will know you have asked this for her, you will see her again, nothing so sure. God bless you.
Why do people over 65 come here ? LISTEN 🎧 to this song BEAUTIFUL, look at the way they carry themselves look how they dress. CLASS
They're the same in person. They had Great respect for their audience.
Talent raw talent!
Straight up sir !
We're still alive after 65, and have lived through some of the musical times ever twonk!
I'm not 65 but I do love the music from the 60,s and 70,s !
RIP Duke, unfortunately all the 4 Tops Gone now...But their beautiful music lives on forever...!
I have always loved Duke. My absolute favorite. Such a handsome man. Rest in peace. He is the top I have always wanted to meet.
These guys really had the talent. They left a legacy.
Farewell to all of them
Levi Stubbs voice will live forever
The Four Tops are the greatest, and Levi Stubbs was so humble and loyal to the group to stay true to them and not go solo.
Totally agree
He said "There are FOUR tops, not three. It's about friendship. It's about loyalty. It's about love".
An amazing man.
Plus he was great in the movie "Little Shop of Horrors". I think that was him as the plant
I agree great times
He’s one of my favorite singers. Love this group, so glad my mother kept music like this in heavy rotation. Im 54.
The 4 Tops The Best Out Of Motown In My Opinion!!!
Best ever!
Great but The Temptations just nick it in my opinion 🙂
Yep, the best!
I grew up Scottish, was a Bowie fan but The Four Tops were (and still are) my favourite Motown band ever. God bless you Duke, it can't have been easy being the lone survivor. My heart goes out to your family.
RIP to The Four Tops, they were superb. I was just hearing this song at a hotel this morning before I heard Duke passed.
No stupid ear rings. Pure talent. The best ever
Just pure talent such gentlemen never ever to been seen or heard again once in a lifetime x
They were such a great group, and Levi Stubbs was such a great lead singer. He could have definitely achieved more fame and fortunr by going solo, but he stayed loyal to the Four Tops, and to Detroit.
Yes
@@FuntastixBand best group ever im 74 loved them from day one once in a lifetime group x
Quite right!❤️
Thank you for the music,Four Tops!
The only Motown group that never
broke up staying together for 44 years.
May you all rest peacefully.
What an amazing group. 44 years together as well. One of the best ever
Black - yes BLACK - musical talent at its best. Motown so much better than degenerate rap.
+No more woke replies! These are black artists!
You said it my friend.....Old School R&B was fantastic.....Motown, Philly Soul, Disco...
Best music of all time!!
I wonder what it would sound like if you played the original of this song with these guys' version.
You found a way to insert your racist views.. I'm impressed
@@KhanflomahInstrumentals Was it? The four tops and Johnny Rivers had big hits of the same song, ‘ Baby, I need your lovin.’ There was nothing racist about enjoying, both. The left Bank and the Four tops also had wonderful versions of ‘just walk away Renee.’ The Four tops were Great. The music hits were abundant in that time, before todays woke see everything through a tunnel vision; thanks to the foreigner and Mike.
Smelly hebrew
Hearing about Duke dying brought me back to this song, literally has been in repeat all day. The Four Tops hands my favorite Motown group, Levi Stubbs my favorite male singer. My name isn’t Renee but this song always, always makes me cry. Their voices, the emotion brings back so many memories. They are all together again, Rest In Eternal Peace Gentlemen, you are loved and missed.
Born 1955, far as im concerned this and ALL Motown music 🎵🎵🎵 was simply the best. And that saying a lot.
Could not agree more
Never, ever date
I was born in 1955 also. Great music. We are lucky we lived in this era of great music.
Love that Levi Stubbs stayed at the four tops instead of going solo. He was an incredible singer. The group were super stars.
He not only stayed with as part of the group,but also flatly refused seperate billing ie as Levi Stubbs and the etc etc unlike many groups particularly Motown acts of the time,all out of loyalty to his fellow group members which he was happy just to be part of, Total Respect for him.
He was also married to the same woman for years!
Levi Stubbs had probably the best male singing voice ever
I read that he said that no one in the group was more important that anyone else. Class act...@@barrysolly2637
Can u imagine what could have been if that egoistic but talented Temptations singer, Ruffin, had the same attitude and values
Saw them live in London in the late 70s with a big orchestra. They sounded exactly like the records. Superb singers - was there ever a better vocalist than Levi - singing remarkable songs. A wonderful evening.
I was in high school when this came out.Some of us walked around singing it for weeks not even knowing that it was a cover.When I grew older, I listened to the original. I was not moved.I am now 71 and this rendition still haunts me.Wonderful,Wonderful, Wonderful ❤
Aww you sooo sweet ❤ X
Absolutely love this song, I'm 70 and this song can still bring a tear to my eye. I was a kid when this was released, in a simpler time in my life
Levi, the best of the best of Motown.
These guys were fabulous. Great voices, great songs and always so smart and classy.
Smiles, hi Annie 👋
I like both the Left Banke and 4 Tops versions.
In fact I just found out that this is not a Dozier/Hollandsong but indeed written by this cultband.Amazing band by the way,check them out!
I think all members of the Left Banke are deceased. I like both groups. Although I was a baby then.
This effed up society of today needs to return to much classier times. This song would be a great start.
At home Dancing !!!!!!
Absolutely Levi is the King of Soul, there is not another can compare to his Soul ❤
Such great music and such great singers. What a talented group of guys!
Classiness in its purest form
I'm a Four Tops woman for sure. This, and Bernadette, are my favorites. What a voice on Levi Stubbs. ❤
I agree. The primal scream by Levi on Bernadette, it gives me the chills every time.
Are you a Gemini? ♊ 😉
@GlendaClarke-ir2cd yes, I am.
@@tfer1977 I knew it! So am I and so was Levi. We're both 06/06 and you named my two most favourite songs by them, and featuring Levi, it would be, Climb Every Mountain. ♊ 💕 🌹 ✨
MacArthur's Park does it for me also because NOBODY does it better!
No words can describe how Levi's voice makes me feel.....makes me breathless . It had such an effect on me as as a kid of 13 and now at 68 years old still the same.
Make that 70 years in my case!
Me too I'm 67 and this music was the best growing up in the 60's
I feel the same. What a singer ❤
SAME HERE! I had such a hugh crush on Levi as a 10 yr old in 1967
I'm 64 takes me back to the good days of the 60s
Singing harmonies on the chorus are the Motown female singing group 'The Andantes'. They sang on over 20,000 Motown recordings.
I can’t get this out of my head. It’s been on repeat for the last few days.
Lol yea it's sooo catchy ❤
They preformed at my High School Prom in 1967. Fabulous in real life!
@@Me-je2uw White Plains New York was the County Seat for what was the wealthiest piece of real-estate in the world (at that time.) There were good and bad sides to that.
This is probably my favourite ever Four Tops song, just so haunting and sung by a music superstar with a fantastic voice - if only you could go back in time and enjoy this music when it first happened.
Go back in time?...I'm enjoying this right now! 🎶 🎵 😊
It's not a 4 Tops song, but Left Bank, who had a hit with it in 1966
Yes you are correct. I find it a compliment to this wonderful song that both of them put out such a soulful rendition . I have surfed "Renee" and listened to many more renditions also. Peace...@@cirrus1964
The four tops did 46 months after the left bank , both are well done
@@andrewsteinberg7103 yes but it was succes created by others. The Left bank were real, 4 tops commercial rubbish!
Rest in peace, Duke. He's back with his brothers again❤
Original song by the "The Left Bank" of the 60s from NYC. The Four Tops make the song their own with their distinctive voices they nail it spot on and make it better. Pure voices and orchestration.
Listen up folk's. Wonder what real music sounds like ?? Just listen to these guys. No Autotune, Just real talent. God bless you all, Jim
I think that we as a people were coming together as one in the sixties.
If only there was just ONE group today of the same caliber as The Four Tops! Who could even come close to their impeccable musical style?!! So glad I can still enjoy their songs today!!
Smiles, hi Joan 👋
BoyzIIMen!
🥲Makes me tear up for long-lost days of happiness, safety, just all-around better times. Only rarely was there something bad on the news .... Not everyday like now. I long for my school days of the 1960's. This was one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite groups! The Four Tops!! Well done gentlemen!
The suburbs yes?
You wrote the words & the emotions from my heart. How I often think & long for yesteryear. I have shed many tears whilst listening to The Four Tops & their counterparts. There will never be another era like the '60s.
January 12th, 2024..Still loving you guys still listening and always will.
Me too always
YES ! Me Three - and today is February 29, 2024 !
I'm with you. March 9, 2024 and beyond!
I ran into a checker at my grocery store the other day and I asked if she knew there was a song about her!
She was shocked and said, "There is no song with my name in it!?"
So I sang a few bars and she was so overcome with joy, she came from around the check stand and asked if she could give me a hug?
And me being me, I said, but only if I can keep singing!?
After she hugged me, she said can I give you a kiss on the cheek. 😘
That's when I was shocked!
So she did!
She then told me, she NEVER had ANYONE sing to her and definitely not a song with her name in it before . . . and that's why we need OLD people!
#UNBELIEVEABLE
#forher
#andforme
Their music,memories will NEVER fade away been loving The Four Tops since I was 8 in 1965 saw them22x
If ever there was a song that gets your nostalgia juices flowing, this is it 😊
My name is Renee. I never really liked this song until I heard the Four Tops sing it. ❤
As part of my job for an entertainment publication I got to interview many of the members of Motown groups and other black recording artists. Alll of them lamented the rise of rap and demise of an avenue for talented black vocalists to get their voices heard. It's everybody's loss.
That's interesting to read. Rap does come across as the antithesis of what the artists of Motown, Philly and Stax sang about.
My favorite from this group. Lead singer is WOW!
That's Levi Stubbs! RIP!
My favorite Motown group. All gone now but the music lives on.
Circa 1968, local record shop used to play records inside but also had a speaker outside. This takes me back to that time. Total class!
My favorite male Motown group, hands down.
I'll sending that!!!🤗👍
Second that!!!
Me too!!!!
Oh how i wish the Tops were still around. This is one of their best recordings. They had many but they have passed. Love Levi's voice. RIP.
Oh how I miss real music like this. 😊
Itźs still there. A plethora of splendid compositions and jewels of performance. And extremely easy to discover. One finds what one is looking for.
@@renemagritte8237 Thanks to youtube.
Duke's dad was from Pakistan. He also dated Mary Wilson. You can imagine how Berry Gordy must feel. So many of his artists died at young ages, but he lived to be in his 90's. What a legacy he created!
True; however, one minor correction needs to be made to your wonderful comment regarding Berry Gordy...."he continues to live in his 90's".minor
Thanks, I knew he is still around.
The one and only Levi Stubbs brilliant.
"Your name and mine inside a heart upon a wall
Still finds a way to haunt me, though they're so small"
That lyric just tears me up, don't know why, but it does.
My favorite of all the great Four Tops recordings
I know what you mean!!! I feel exactly the same way "The empty sidewalk on my block is not the same." It just makes me think about being a kid in the neighborhood. At that age, you never imagine your friends going in different directions, moving away, or just growing up and moving on. The way the Tops sing this song just hits my heart and makes me think of a time that has a different color in my memory.
A true classic song performed as it should be ❤
the four tops -- what an awesome band
His voice STILL gives me the chills!
One of the greatest covers.
Yes! The same can be said for their "If I Were a Carpenter."
Agreed! I liked this version better than the original.
That harmonizing is amazing, and timeless. God Bless Them, and all who listen here.
Four Tops "Walk Away Renee"
Levi Stubbs was the lead singer of the Rhythm & Blues, Soul-Rock group The Four Tops, a hugely successful group on The Motown record label in the 60s and early 70s. Levi Stubs had a pleasing, slightly raspy-baritone voice emulated and revered by many current singers. He was renowned for his voice.
I think The Four Tops really did a great R&B justice on this song and made it one of their signature tunes reaching #14 on "The Billboard Hot 100" in 1968. I like it better than the original by The Left Banke reaching #5, Sept 24, 1966. This plaintive love song was written by the 16 year old drummer for the band.
Levi Stubbs was diagnosed with cancer in 1995, and after suffering a stroke in 2000, he was no longer able to tour. (Wiki) He died in his sleep on October 17, 2008, at his home in Detroit. A memorial service for Stubbs was held at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit on October 27.
"The Four Tops - Walk Away Renee", Fave to this day!
Absolutely.
Definitely.
The Left Banke’s original take was marvelous, but leave it to the 4 Tops for making that song in question “Walk Away Renée even the more fabulous. So if there was a place for more than just one musical singing groups, both (The Left Banke and The Four Tops) will always & forever be THE G. O. A. T. ‘S of popular music. And if you can wonder what G. O. A. T. stands for, THEY’RE THE GREATEST
I guess I know what the rest stand for THEY’RE THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME….. NUFF SAID PUFF!!!! Thanx 4 Givin’ Me an added chance to complete my verbal tribute to both legendary successful popular musical groups that never sang those classics very much the more classical. They were masters n da business!!! BAR NONE.
It’s hard to walk away without looking back, 😢
What a beautiful man and voice Levi had .....wow
Levi's voice is truly a treasure.
A National Treasure 😊
Levi Stubbs could express emotion when he sang better than anyone . The song "Shake me, Wake me" is a good example of that.
4 Tops -- Couldn't be topped!
I was 12 years old and later were totally in Rock, but Soul music was great and even I loved all songs by the Four Tops, my no 1 song of all was "Walk away Renee", always got goose bumps when listening to this so lovely song and the a bit sad lyrics.
Why can't there be music like this anymore?
It`s because today`s people are going tone deaf due to the music and songs ???? they listen to.
Today's so called "artists" rely on auto tune, fake images and machines is why.The music industry consumed itself and now worse we have useless "djs" as entertainment, ha, no way man. We're doomed.
I’m 30 years old my mother introduced me to the 60 70 80 music I love them more so is my young kids I don’t let them listen to rap naked lady only classic lady
Bently's, gold chains, guns, rivals.... there you have it.
@@FuntastixBand and serious increasing drug use..that has continued and is now excepted as cool and normal even legal..wow.
Clear harmonies, beautiful tone! This ‘Left Bank’ classic! Touches the heart!
When I was 15 or 16 years old, (1969/70/71? ), I saw The Four Tops at The Dome in Brighton. (Labi Saffri.. (It Must Be Love)... was their support act.) They played the first couple of bars of Walk Away Renee and the the guys walked on to the stage in single file singing. The place erupted!!! The audience went wild. And a lot of people rushed down to the stage. I was nearer the back and wanted to watch them. I ended up dancing in the aisle near my seat. I used to love the Northern Soul style of dancing. Fantastic!!!! I returned to The Dome a while later to watch the Supremes (post the Diana Rigg split) and "Up the Ladder to the Roof etc". The Dome had put up huge posters on the side of the stage to say that anyone dancing in the aisles or in front of the stage (as per 4 Tops) would be thrown out. I think the posh seats didn't like it. Thank you Four Tops for such memories and Motown for the beautiful revolution that you were.
Awesome!
Can remember seeing the various Motown bands on Top of the Pops, but none had the style, the class, the voices that The Four Tops had. A part of my childhood and now the last one, Duke, has gone😢
Four Tops. These guys can really sing. Incredible !
R.I.P. Abdul “Duke” Fakir,the last surviving member of the Original Four Tops.
Rest in peace Duke. He was my favorite
Perfect "we broke up but I still love you" song.😰
I put the heart on a tree before having to writing it on a wall...
She'd cut the tree down....🙄
Kinda missed her point by that gesture. Well, its been 40 years now
Still hopin'😞
actually it's about unrequited love... written by a 16 year old about a bandmate's then girlfriend... renee fladden. she was also the inspiration for the band's single Pretty Ballerina . The 4 tops make the song smooth... but the Left Banke's vocalist conveys the teenage angst of the lyrics better.
The FOUR TOPS, one of my favorite groups with the great lead vocals of Levi Stubbs. Three of the Four (Obi, Lawerence, Levi) have since passed bringing sadness to the music world. May they Rest In Peace and thank Duke for carrying the torch. Just finished reading the recent book by Duke Fakir and it is a great read, could not put it down.
Don't make em like this anymore big respect to these guys true talent
I loved the Four Tops.. they were my favorite Motown group
Saw the Topps in person maybe 40 years ago. Great.Just Great.
Tops are so cool! The song was already a hit by left bank but the tops showed they could deal with it and they did it’s beautiful👍👍👍👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👀💕💕💕💕🍹🍹👀👌
The one and only four tops
Yes!!!! 🎤🎤🎤🎤
WHAT A VOICE. FULL OF PASSION AND MEANING. YOUR VOICE WILL BE MISSED FOREVER. THANKS DUKE XXXX
Sing it Levi, once again in 2023 for my baby sister five years ago we lost her. Sing it to her in Heaven.
This music just brings you to a great place.
I'm here because I heard of the death of Abdul Fakir whilst listening to Boom radio earlier in the day. It must have been difficult for him to witness the passing of each bandmate, leaving him as the sole remaining member of a quartet that had performed and stayed loyal to each other for many decades. R.I.P. Duke.
THE BEST VERSION OF THIS SONG EVER RECORDED!
Profiles in Pittsburgh Allegheny County PA I'm so proud to say that I love the Four Tops. They gave us music that went straight to her heart. We never want you to walk away from us with your music. Because you are someone special all four of you. Sister forever Nora Parker❤
Smiles, hi Nora👋
I can't believe there are other people who sing some of the four tops songs. I wouldn't even listen to them. No one could have sounded as good as these guys. They were my favorite Motown!
This is actually a song by "the left banke". The original is so much better, the phrasing, the urgency of the vocal.
The isolated vocal version of this is on a whole other level. Don’t miss out on that
Can you provide a link to it?
@@awm8221check search bar isolated walk away rebee
I love this version. I had forgotten about it. Just like The Temptations as of today ( May 14th 2024) only one surviving founding member is left.😢
Michael Brown has stated that the song is one of a number he wrote about Renée Fladen, the then-girlfriend of the Left Banke's bassist Tom Finn and object of Brown's affection. She was associated with the band for a few weeks, and was described as a free-spirited and tall blonde.
Sadly, all the original members of the Left Banke have left us but Renée is still alive.
These Guys Give me Goose bumps When they Harmonise!
Levi. The VOICE. Man was vocally gifted beyond description. 👍🎶😎
There are few truly deserving the label of "incomparable," but Levi Stubbs fully earned such praise. So much nuance and emotional depth, in under three minute songs, carrying through the static, am signal through the cheap cardboard car speaker, to still make us cry back then.
He was so fortunate, and rewarded, to have a career renaissance that brought his name to the forefront, serendipitously, as the voice of Audrey the alien carnivorous plant, in Little Shop of Horrors, the movie, which underappreciated his comedic skills and flair for the unrestrained scene stealing.
I'm not gonna lie, I've been pretty depressed since Duke Fakir passed away. I love The Four Tops and losing Duke feels like a chapter of time just got slammed shut. I'll always look back fondly on the memories of listening to The Four Tops dancing with my first baby in the kitchen in the morning when we were living in Detroit. RIP to The Four Tops.
They had a truly different sound of their own , truly enjoyable truly motown..🎉❤❤
I had the opportunity to hear the original group and they were amazing!!! God bless you Levi Stubbs and the rest!!!
The most soleful tune done right. The Left Banke version is very good as well!
Left Banke version wingy.
soulful
stupendous!!
I have always loved this version!!
But also loved original Steve Caro/Left Bank
4 voices and a microphone!!!! Doesnt get better that that!!!!
One of the most incredible songs ever made ❤️
Love these guys and as much as I love this song..indestructible one of my fav songs of all time saw them perform it live these guys were amazing,they were indestructible that’s why they lasted as long as they did,together as one
How I miss these groups, their songs which had a tune and whose lyrics we could hear clearly. There was much more creativity then, the songs were much more varied than today, and the voices had different tones
Smiles, hi Carole 👋
R.I.P. all four.....thank you for the beautiful memories.