By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.168) on Monday, February 24, 2003 - 09:34 am: |
It is such a sad omission that no one has yet got around to writing THE STORY OF THE FOUR TOPS -at one time it was thought that only controvesy sold books, but surely that is wrong, this is a TRULY Magnificent Story, there must be someone out there to write this vital book of both MOTOWN and MUSIC HISTORY.
THE FOUR TOPS and more so LEVI STUBBS became like Family to me and have been for 35 years - it will be one big loss if This Story is not put down for future generations to look up to and strive to achieve!
John
John
By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Monday, February 24, 2003 - 09:55 am: |
Well John, maybe it is you that is meant to write this story. Our very own Vickie is writing a book on Tammy Terrell, and Sue has already written a book on the women of Motown. I'm sure they would welcome a fellow author.
By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.164) on Monday, February 24, 2003 - 03:15 pm: |
I would love to!! - I would to hear more about the Tammy Terrell book by Vickie!
John
By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Monday, February 24, 2003 - 05:48 pm: |
John,
I know Vickie has been hard at it for some time collecting information through interviews and such. I believe she still has quite a ways to go on this project but I'm sure the end result will be worth the wait.
By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Monday, February 24, 2003 - 05:52 pm: |
Hi John...
Yes, Tammi's Bio is in the works. I am writing it with Tammi's sister. We have been at it nearly 2 years. Our goal is to have it completed by Tammi's 60th b-day 2005, It's a wonderful story of a strong, young, beautiful woman that touched the hearts of so many..
Vickie
TammiProject@aol.com
By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 08:28 am: |
RIGHT ON JOHN,HOPEFULLY SOME WILL WRITE THAT BOOK SOMEWHERE IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE,AND I'LL BE ONE OF THE FIRST IN LINE TO GET IT.
By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.167) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 11:54 am: |
R&B I will be with YOU in that LINE, I am sure their are thousands who would join us, come on some Publisher! Please !!!!!
John
By Aljaydu (68.18.113.233) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 02:33 pm: |
John here's something that I found on the net. Enjoy !!
They can't help themselves
By Dave Richards
dave.richards@timesnews.com
Some things sound better as pairs: Salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly, Tempts and Tops. The Motown legends have toured on and off together since 1983, when they engaged in a spirited duel during the label's 25th anniversary television special.
They're back at it again, teaming up for a show Sunday at the Warner Theatre. Abdul "Duke" Fakir of the Tops said the groups don't consider themselves rivals.
"We've had a great relationship," said Fakir, an original Top. "We're like fraternity brothers. All of us at Motown are like that. When we see Martha Reeves or Mary Wells or the Supremes � we don't see much of Diana � or Stevie (Wonder), we still crack jokes. I just talked to Stevie a few days ago.
"The Tempts and us still do a lot of gigs, we play golf together, and hang out a little. Not like we used to, but we have a great relationship with everyone from Motown. I still talk to Berry Gordy twice a year, and he's glad to hear from us. He comes to see our shows."
Gordy signed the Tops in 1963, but the group plugged away for a decade before joining Motown. They had a different sound.
"We sang a lot of jazz. We were a group like a black Four Freshmen, but we also did some R&B," said Fakir. "We had a diverse sound. We learned how to sing pretty much anything, from the Mills Brothers to Dominoes with Jackie Wilson to Mario Lanza."
The Four Tops amazed on stage, Fakir said, but their records flopped. They approached Gordy, though they'd spurned him earlier. "We could have started at Motown," said Fakir. "Berry and the Four Tops were good friends, but we didn't believe in him, at first, quite frankly. We went elsewhere."
In 1962, before they called Gordy, he called them after catching the Four Tops on "The Tonight Show." The group first cut a typically jazzy album for Motown, but Gordy decided it wasn't commercial. He then assigned a production team to the Tops � Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Eddie Holland.
"Bingo!" said Fakir. "They helped develop our recording sound. They basically took us away from jazz. They took the good harmonies and put with it the strong lead of Levi (Stubbs) and came up with songs that everyone loves."
Four Tops, who couldn't crack radio before, suddenly found themselves on the chart with "Baby I Need Your Loving." "We went bonkers," said Fakir. "It was the greatest thing that could happen. We knew it'd be a hit but we didn't know what a hit felt like."
They got used to it. "I Can't Help Myself" hit No. 1 in 1965, and plenty of hits followed, courtesy of Holland/Dozier/Holland, who wrote songs with the Tops in mind. Fakir thought of them as "great tailors" who could fashion hits for anyone. Still, he was shocked that "Reach Out I'll Be There" became a monster hit.
"That was the one song Levi and I didn't like when we first heard it," said Fakir. "We thought it was just a good album tune. So, Gordy called us in after we recorded and mixed it and said, 'You got another great smash, in fact, probably the biggest global hit you'll have.' And I said, 'When are we going to record it?' He said, 'You already did' and played 'Reach Out.' I said, 'Berry, don't do that to our career. We're on a roll. Don't mess us up."
Gordy knew best. "Reach Out" reached No. 1. The hits continued, and the Tops toured the world. Fakir fondly recalls attending a party in England hosted by Brian Epstein. "At the party were the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Four Tops, the Who, and the Small Faces. That was an incredible night. I can almost smell that whole evening right now, just talking about it. We certainly admired them; that British wave was incredible."
Fakir is quick to credit Gordy, Holland-Dozier-Holland and the Funk Brothers � the Motown band that backed virtually every Motown act � for the Four Tops' success. But collective chemistry was just as key. Stubbs, Faker, Lawrence Payton, and Renaldo Benson first sang together in 1954. They stayed together until 1997, when Payton died.
"We all kept the same motto," said Fakir. "When we started out, all we wanted to do was to sing, to entertain, and make a living so we could take care of our families. In those first 10 years we struggled very hard but we learned a lot. Probably the greatest thing wasn't musical but just how to live together, and how much we shared the same dreams. We learned to really share. We basically shared pants, hats, and coats to dollars and cents. When you do that for over 10 years, you really form a relationship. We became brothers."
Health problems forced Stubbs to step back a few years ago, though he hasn't officially retired. Theo Peoples, a former Temptation, now sings Stubbs' parts, while Ronnie McNeir essentially replaced Payton. Still, the group has big plans for 2004, their 50th year in show business. An HBO special is in the works. So is a Golden Anniversary tour.
Forget retirement; the Four Tops plan to keep going. They can't help themselves.
DAVE RICHARDS can be reached at 870-1703 or by e-mail.
Last changed: February 21. 2003 2:08AM
By Eugene Brown (64.7.167.66) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 03:08 pm: |
Cheers to the women that are working on the Tammi Terrell project. I'm a program director at a radio station in Saginaw, Michigan (home of you know who). I can't wait to talk about this on the air. Not long ago my fiance' and I were coming back from Detroit and I popped in Cellar Full of Motown and Miss Terrell's version of All I Do came on. My fiance' was sound asleep and when Tammi's voice came on. She woke up and asked who was singing the song, I told her who and she stayed awake long enough to listen to the song all the way through before going back to sleep. That says a lot about the talent of Tammi Terrell because my fiance' is not where close to being a music fanatic like me.
By Aljaydu (68.18.114.5) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 10:05 am: |
John B.
You've got mail...
and pictures of Levi on stage.
By Aljaydu (68.18.98.36) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 08:34 pm: |
Here's a little something else that I found.
Enjoy...
Go straight to the Tops for Christmas music release
By Susan Whitall / The Detroit News
Just in time for the holidays, the Four Tops are offering their fans a little present: a free download of four songs from their 1996 Christmas album on the web site www.harmoniepark.com.
The CD, titled Christmas Here With You, was recorded for Motown and released for a short time a few years back, but according to Duke Fakir, it was a pet project of the former head of Motown, Jheryl Busby. When the recording came out, Busby had left the label, and the CD languished.
"There wasn't a marketing plan, so we asked them to please take it off the market," says Fakir of the Tops. "We leased the album from them, and now, since fans are always asking us why we don't have a Christmas album, we thought, why not just make it available on the Net?"
The disc, a "nice, lush album," in Fakir's words, is the last Tops recording on which the late Lawrence Payton sings. Each group member produced several songs. The songs available for free download include "Christmas Here With You," "Away in a Manger," "Silent Night" (on which the Tops are joined by Aretha Franklin) and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
The Four Tops are one of the longest-running Motown groups, having pre-dated Motown by some years. Next year will be the group's 47th anniversary, and Fakir says they're looking forward to their 50th.
"Berry (Gordy) had planned to do our life story after the Temptations movie, but he was a little disappointed by the lawsuits (by family members), so he dropped the idea," says Fakir. "But 50 is such a magical number, our 50th anniversary year would be a great time to do a book and a movie about the group."
By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.166) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 03:13 am: |
I AGREE what a Lasting Trubute for at least THE BOOK of THE FOUR TOPS STORY to be written in time for the 50TH!
PLEASE let's get this project off The Ground.
John
By BankHouseDave (195.93.50.9) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 03:24 am: |
Bank House Books would be very keen to look at this project if someone wants to write it
BankHouseBooks@aol.com
By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.167) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 01:46 pm: |
That's GOOD NEWS! we have just got this PROJECT off The Ground - THE GUY'S DESERVE IT and Music History - WOW! 50 Years in Music well done LEVI!! DUKE, OBBIE AND LAWRENCE (NEVER FORGOTTEN!)
Who is up for the writing Harry ????
John
Some Young Artists these days never see One Year! never mind FIFTY !!!!
By Ritchie (62.254.0.10) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 02:15 pm: |
I'd love to... Just one small obstacle. The Atlantic Ocean.
By John Lester (62.49.61.57) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 03:02 pm: |
Forgive me for this suggestion. There has always been ONE person who I associate with the Four Tops..my mentor.....and their one time UK fan club president. You probably know her better as Sharon Davis
By Aljaydu (68.18.112.16) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 03:08 pm: |
Has anyone ever seen the music video "Loco In Acapulco" ? I have it. This was my first time seeing it (today) and let me tell you...Great video. I'm trying to get my hands on the "Indestructible" video. I've never seen that one.
So far as the Story of The Four Tops goes, that story needs to get out. What people like US realize about the Tops that other folks doesn't is the fact that they've been together for many years. As they sing in "Indestructible": "we are friends. We are brothers. Always there looking out for each another in a world so many dreams are broken apart..."
About 2 years ago, I e-mailed Oprah about getting the Tops on her show. Do you realize the impact that The Tops could have on people's lives? These guys could teach the world about how to love one another and how to treat each other with respect and humanity.
Yes, there's a great need for their story to be told in print and on the big screen.
Someone tell me how to do it...I'll do it !
By Ritchie (62.254.0.10) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 03:35 pm: |
Great suggestion, John. Do you have the means to politely tap Ms Davis on the shoulder, and whisper those three magic words?
THE
FOUR
TOPS
By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 04:10 pm: |
Don't let the ocean stop you Ritchie..
Vickie
By Ritchie (62.254.0.10) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 04:21 pm: |
Nice thought, Blondie, but if John could get Sharon on the case, all the better. (Anyway, with a name like hers, she's bound to be a much better swimmer!)
By John Lester (213.123.131.135) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 05:19 pm: |
Ritchie
Sharon has a long list of projects she is working on. I was going to mention the Tops to her only last night but when she told me how busy she was, I decided to keep my big mouth shut.
BTW, and just to make you green with envy, I got to see SITSOM again last nite......I could tell you how wonderful it was to see it again but then you, of all people, would know that its always better.......SECOND TIME AROUND.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
By Ritchie (62.254.0.10) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 05:33 pm: |
OK, John. You know I'm still looking forward to seeing SITSOM for the FIRST time....
So - if not Sharon, who?
By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 06:19 pm: |
Ritchie, maybe Deborah (Levi's daughter) will see this thread...it just takes s dedicated person to see it through....Maybe a family member will start to tackle this...
Vickie
By Ritchie (62.254.0.10) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 06:30 pm: |
Yes, Vickie. Let's hope there's someone Stateside who could take it on, and give the story the care and love that it deserves. Anyone named "Posner" need not apply.
By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.165) on Saturday, March 01, 2003 - 04:20 am: |
At least everyone is talking about it NOW! shame about Sharon,I know it will happen THE FOUR TOPS STORY, I am certain Deborah will give us every help and The Family!!!
Hi John Lester, long time no see! - so You have seen the SITSOM - The Big Film!! - I just gotta see it soon,I am sure I read it is out on video in the USA soon ?? - I would like it on DVD, I put on another post, why do Music Video's not all get released REGION 0 (or Region Free) - my DVD player is not multi-region.
By stranger56 (24.47.50.195) on Saturday, March 01, 2003 - 08:56 am: |
Hello, all.....very interesting....I've been talking about writing a book about the Tops since 1987, when I did some writing for a publicity firm they were using at the time. I've brought it up to them, and the truth is, there was never any real interest, on their part, to do this.
HOWEVER, if it does get done, in my opinion, there's only one person who is qualified enough to tackle such a project, and that is a man by the name of Stu Hackel. Some of you may know Stu from the many projects that he's worked on with Harry (Stu has written the liner notes for many of Harry's releases, including the boxed set).
Stu has been interested in doing a book for many years, but he has run into somewhat of a roadblock, in that, there hasn't been much interest on the part of the Tops.
Maybe now, though, things are different.
Who knows?
Jim
By John Lester (213.123.139.169) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 04:18 pm: |
I agree that Stu is an excellent candidate - his heart is right there when it comes to the Tops.
He's a journalist too, isn't he!
By Aljaydu (68.18.114.205) on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 05:31 pm: |
I've e-mailed Deborah (Levi's Daughter) about this discussion. Hopefully, she'll get with us.
Jim...is that you? "Hello, Stranger. Seems like a mighty long time".
You know I just HAD to type that, didn't you????
By DEBORAH (63.77.247.130) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 09:20 am: |
Hey you guys,
I think it is a wonderful idea to write a story
about the Tops!!!! I don't think the film is a
bad idea either !!!
I'm going to be speaking with Duke later today
about some other things and I will certainly
mention it to him and also to my Dad and Obie.
Let me know if there's anything I can do.
Love ya,
Deborah
By Sharon Davis (195.93.50.9) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 01:19 pm: |
Hi you guys
I've read with immense interest and extreme delight that your pulling for a book about the darling Tops. Such an important and influential group in my life. Of course I'd be interested in writing a book. John Lester you're a hard guy to say no to. However, if there's someone else in the frame who wants to write it, I'll do what I can to help. On the other hand, if Deborah and I could coordinate ideas across the Atlantic, and maybe write such a book in this way together, well, we'd make a great team eh? I'm dead pleased for all your support and love during the years; I'm only pleased I can do something via the printed word to repay Motown's artists and the Tops in particular for the love they've shown me. And thank you too for people like John who've been in my corner from the start of my career.
By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 02:08 pm: |
Deborah & Sharon...
what a team....sounds good, GO FOR IT GALS!!!!!!
Vickie
By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 03:02 pm: |
Hi Sharon
It's a pleasure to hear from you on SoulfulDetroit.
David
By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.167) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 04:31 pm: |
Hi Sharon!
PLEASE! PLEASE! You and Deborah, would make one real Superb Team!
This project has got to get off the ground, it seems to have some real drive in at present so it needs to get off the ground NOW!
Here to add any help I can.
Regards John
By John Lester (213.123.157.99) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 04:56 pm: |
Words cannot express my delight at seeing Sharon's name here talking to us all.
This is true Motown royalty, in my book!
By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 04:59 pm: |
ditto John!!
Vickie
By Ritchie (62.254.0.10) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 05:49 pm: |
Mmm - double ditto. A little reminder of times past, from "Motown Ad Astra"
By John Lester (213.123.138.47) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 12:58 am: |
If I had a scanner I could do the same for the first 4 Tops newsletter....
It was all so exciting in those days....there was so much to find out..
By David Meikle (81.135.51.27) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 03:42 am: |
Nice one Ritchie!
By DEBORAH (63.77.247.130) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 09:18 am: |
Hi Sharon,
I would be pleased and definately HONORED to
work with you in any way that I can to make this
project work. I will speak with my Dad and the
other "Tops" about it, but I am inclined to
believe they will be as excited about this as
everyone else is !!
Let's talk real soon !!!
Deborah Stubbs-Boatner
By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.166) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 03:33 pm: |
That is such "Good News" Deborah, it is superb the Friend that YOU have become to both Soulful Detroit Forum and to many of us! keeping us informed of YOUR DEAR FATHER LEVI and THE TOPS!
This will be so good once this Project get's off The Ground and I feel, well I know with SHARON and YOURSELF it will!
Thanks
John
By John Lester (81.132.25.69) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 03:57 pm: |
I am sheding tears of delight at what we might all be a witness to....
By Ritchie (62.254.0.10) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 04:03 pm: |
Yes, indeed. And the whole SD family will lend all the support we can muster :o)
By Aljaydu/Creole (68.18.99.133) on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 - 05:45 pm: |
That's super news !!!!
I know that I'm but an outsider looking in but if there's anything that I can do to help out me know. The Tops has been a part of my life for the longest and to get together for this would be wonderful.
ANYTHING that I can do to help:
aljaydu@yahoo.com
Let me know !!!
By BankHouseDave (195.93.50.9) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 09:11 am: |
Sharon and Deborah - in case you didn't know, Bank House Books is UK based. We've done Jack Ashford's book across the great divide (proofs are on their way to him as we speak), so this one would be easy. We really would love to publish it. My phone number is 01797 329026
BankHouseBooks@aol.com
DAVE
By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.168) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 03:30 pm: |
Nice One Dave, look forward to Jack Ashford's Book keep us all updated.
John
By BankHouseDave (195.93.50.9) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 04:32 pm: |
Proofs held up by the news Jack has another chapter. What is it with this guy, he keeps on adding more brilliant stuff to his career! When we started this book, he had no Grammys and he wasn't a movie star.
By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 05:30 pm: |
Hey Dave...
when did you and Jack start your project...Just wondering how long it took to complete..
Vickie
By Lucy (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 05:41 pm: |
WELL,SOMEONE BETTER WRITE IT ALONG WITH A MADE FOR TV MOVIE.
AS FAR AS STANDING IN LINE...ALL OF YOU SHOULD KNOW,THAT WHEN IT COMES TO MY BELOVED TOPS.....
I AM ALWAYS FIRST IN LINE!!!!!!!
By BankHouseDave (195.93.50.9) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 06:01 am: |
Hi Vickie:
We started talking in May of last year. There has been so much going on with Jack that it has come together in fits and starts. But it's almost there now and, believe me, even if it wasn't about our favourite subject, it's a great story, very well told.
Take care. Hope to talk about Tammi soon.
Love,
DAVE
By Vickie (152.163.188.68) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 11:01 am: |
Thanks Dave,
It feels good knowing that it does take others time to put these things together. Time needed to do it right and tell it right..
Thanks for that feedback...
Your friend,
Vickie
By BankHouseDave (195.93.50.9) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 12:59 pm: |
Yeah, Vickie:
The way we do it is an evolutionary process. The book is rarely delivered to us in a finished version. You can always go on changing and improving right up to the moment it goes to press. The sooner the author and the publisher get together on a title the better - the way we do it anyway, because we can probably simplify the ways it's done and iron out wrinkles early.
Love
DAVE
By John Lester (62.49.61.57) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 03:11 pm: |
Vickie
Have you thought about where you are going to hold the UK launch party!!!
LOLOLOL
By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 03:13 pm: |
At your house John!!!
LOLOLOLOL
Vickie
By John Lester (213.123.143.212) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 07:40 am: |
Its only a flat (appartment) with a huge picture on the wall of Cal Street who will be watching your every move..lol
By the way, hope you're a dab hand with a paint brush cos you can't come here empty handed..lololol
.....Come on over to my place, hey hey, we're having a party
By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.111) on Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 07:49 am: |
Sharon Davis,
just like to say what a big fan I am of all your work.I still have a lot of the Motown mags from the late 60s and early 70s that you were involved with.
Regards
mel(andthensome).
By Sharon Davis (195.93.50.9) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 12:09 pm: |
Well, reading these messages is like a blast from the past for me! Ritchie-I haven't seen that pic in a long while. It always meant so much to me black and white together with a single goal. Music and respect. Thanks for your encouragement dear. Also Vickie, the two Johns, Mel@thensome and, of course, Deborah. I've been thinking a lot about the Tops of late; once I passed the self-indulgent bit, my thoughts spread to the group as human beings, their music, achievements and so on and to the most important personal fact, that they've always been in my life. If Dusty Springfield hadn't introduced me to Motown in 19whatever, I could well have missed out on so much early excitement. So I've rambled, I'm allowed; at my age, people make allowances-ha ha! Deborah, am I right in assuming you'd like a book to coincide with the group's 50th anniversary? If so, we have some time to get things together, right? How does your dear father,(a kiss is winging its way across the Atlantic as I write, full of good wishes for his recovery), Duke and Obie feel about this? Oh, and I'd certainly like to bring on board our good friends here whose love and enthusiasm are quite overwhelming. I can assure each and all that it's my pleasure to be a part of this forum although I regret my contributions are sparse, and if things can be sorted out, ie time scales, publishers, etc, I'll be thrilled to write the book.
Sharon Davis
By Vickie (205.188.209.38) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 12:19 pm: |
YIPPY!!!!!
Vickie
By Aljaydu (68.18.97.170) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 12:29 pm: |
One more time, Vickie..
YIPPY!!!!!!!!!!
By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 01:00 pm: |
Well, Sharon - this is the best news of the day, and heaven knows - good news is in short supply at present. I'm sure everyone here wishes you the vey best for the project, and - I doubt there's anyone better suited to the task :o)
By BankHouseDave (195.93.50.9) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 01:28 pm: |
You got a publisher, Sharon. We'd be honoured.
BankHouseBooks@aol.com
By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 01:37 pm: |
Sharon,
A very warm welcome to the forum. You do realize, once here, we don't let go easily.
We are most honored to have you with us.
By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.164) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 03:01 pm: |
Thursday Evening
Thanks Sharon, that funny feeling went down my back as I read your email, it will be superb for YOU to write THE BOOK! and I know Deborah was quite keen to be involved........ and You will have pletny of little helpers here in the UK as well as The States!
Great News!
Lots of Love John
Deborah How is LEVI? tell HIM Our Prayers and LOVE are with HIM! John
By BankHouseDave (195.93.50.9) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 03:41 pm: |
Deborah: It's difficult to describe how significant Levi was in our lives. We'd never seen or heard anything like him. There was a question elsewhere on SD about the way the British took Motown to their hearts. A hundred years ago when I was your age, we sat there thinking "Seven rooms of gloom? Dash it all, I suppose we'd better grin and bear it. Stiff upper lip, what?" Then revelation came with a man who showed that's not where it's at. Feel it - shout it - tell 'em it ain't right. Show your love and your pain and you're more of a man, not less.
A lot of people on this forum have hinted at how important the Tops were to them. We in the UK were 'perfectly content' with Victor Sylvester, Val Doonican and Mrs Mills. Thanks to Levi, Obie, Lawrence and Abdul, we got a life.
By stephanie (64.63.221.75) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 05:14 pm: |
I dont believe this we have Sharon Davis here the great writer of Motown!! I remember going into a library 20 years ago and seeing a book on Motown and your name was on it and then I found out more about you and now you are here!!! This place is like heaven. If I could get Johhny Rivers in here then I would faint...
Stephanie
By stephanie (64.63.221.92) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 07:46 pm: |
If you all write the Four Tops book please make sure to have these things
Pictures of recording sessions...
name the songs that Lawrence helped to arrange
pics of them as little boys
what they thought about some of the other groups at Motown
were they around partying with the Funk Brothers
were there any songs Levi sung that he thought wouldnt make it and it did
How did Levi feel when they picked him to be the voice of the plant in Little Shop of Horrors and how did it come about
How did they like doing the Velveeta Cheese and Duncan Hines commercials
Do they still visit Lawrence's family a lot
Did any of them ever think about leaving the group at anytime
How do they view the ABC Dunhill work as opposed to the Motown work oh so many questions??
Stephanie
By Sharon Davis (195.93.50.9) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 01:02 pm: |
Sorry for the silence but have been talking Tops non-stop since a book was mooted here. Again, from the bottom of my heart, thanks to you for your encouragement and it is this that's got my guys and I talking in a positive way. Together we're going to write and (with fingers crossed) have a book ready by next year. With Deborah's kind assistance, we hope it'll be a project everyone will be proud of! Sharon Davis
By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 03:05 pm: |
Sharon
This is wonderful news, and thank you for letting us in on the 'secret'. You can count on the support of everyone in the SD family, and we'll be keeping fingers croosed along with you. From where I'm sitting, I can't think of anyone better to bring the task to fruition :o)
Ritchie
Former Motown Ad Astra member, way back when...
By Aljaydu (68.18.115.250) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 03:06 pm: |
Sharon, has Deb contacted you?
By John Lester (217.40.200.166) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 04:22 pm: |
Ritchie...........are you showing your age again!
By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.164) on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 02:52 am: |
Friday
That is such good News SHARON thanks! and also a Big Thanks to DEBORAH!
The FOUR TOPS only deserve The Best nd I know they are going to get it! - always willing to help in any way.
John
By Sharon Davis (195.93.66.9) on Monday, March 31, 2003 - 12:11 pm: |
Hey you guys, this girl's blushing from head to toe (good title for a song methinks!)..Er, no haven't heard from Deborah yet. Hoping to get a message via this forum as have no means of contacting her personally....so we'll all know the latest together. Meantime, gosh, and thanks. Sharon Davis
By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Monday, March 31, 2003 - 03:47 pm: |
Hi Sharon
Check out March 5th 09.18 on this thread.
David
By Aljaydu (68.18.115.107) on Monday, March 31, 2003 - 09:53 pm: |
Sharon, please e-mail me at aljaydu@yahoo.com and I'll forward your address to Deborah (if you don't mind).
By Aljaydu (68.18.115.107) on Monday, March 31, 2003 - 10:17 pm: |
Here's a little nugget that could go in the book...
http://www.moodyblu.demon.co.uk/moodybits/NME1293.html
The Moody Blues...
Quick...can anybody names the songs that the Tops recorded for the Moody Blues????
By DEBORAH (63.77.247.130) on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 12:16 pm: |
Hi everyone,
First, allow me to apologize for my silence on
the forum for the last several weeks. I have
been in and out of town just about every weekend
and trying to "juggle" everything with work and
home....it just seems like there are not
enough hours in a day.
Sharon, I do need to talk to you. I think I
saw a message from Creole (Aljaydu) asking you
to forward your address to him and he would in
turn forward it to me. That would be greatly
appreciated and after we talk we can move on
from there !!
Again, forgive me for not responding to the forum
sooner...but it gets pretty hectic at times.
Just a quick update...my Dad is continuing to do
well so please keep him and the "Tops" in your
prayers.
Also pray for our troops and hopefully they will
be able to come home soon !
God bless you all and I promise I won't stay away
so long the next time !!
Love ya,
Deborah Stubbs-Boatner
By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.168) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 01:45 am: |
Thursday Breakfast England
Hi Deborah
Thanks for coming back to us all here, I am sure SHARON will be in touch!
Of course Your dear Father is in My Prayers mronnig and night, and always will be, but he is also in my heart which is more important FOUREVER!
Please send Him our Best Wishes.
Kind Regards John
I am so pleased I started this thread, I KNOW my Dream of The Book will Now Come TRUE!
By Vickie (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 03:32 am: |
Welcome Back Deborah..
We hope your father and your family are well and that you and Sharon can work together and write a great book to honor The Four Tops Legacy...
The world needs comfort and joy right now, and the Tops have brought that to us for many years with their music and voices..A story we all are waiting for..
God Bless You
Vickie
By DEBORAH (63.77.247.130) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 12:17 pm: |
Hi Vicki and John,
Thank you both. As I stated yesterday, I've been
pretty busy lately, and I've missed talking to
all of you. Hopefully I will be able to stay in
touch a bit more often.
My family is doing well and I hope the same applies to all of you.
Will talk to you soon....I'm leaving town again
but will touch base as soon as I return !!!
God Bless You
Deborah Stubbs-Boatner
By Aljaydu/Creole (68.18.99.97) on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 02:01 pm: |
Deb...WAIT!!!! Can I go, Too ?????????????
I won't take up too much space in your baggage. You won't even know I'm there. Just feed me a few Snickers every once in a while and give me a Coke to drink and I'll be ar-ite !!!
PLeeeeezzzzeeeeeee????????????
HAHAHHAHha (Just kidding around)
By The Tops Fan (67.0.145.239) on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 03:17 pm: |
Write the book and make the film.
By Marv (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 06:41 pm: |
The Four Tops were/are my all-time favorite group! "Baby I Need Your Loving" is my all time favorite Motown record and I have stood up in public and proclaimed Levi Stubbs as being not only one of the greatest Soul Singers in history but one of American Pop Music all time greats! Write the book!!! God Bless the Four Tops!
By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.168) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 03:46 am: |
Bank Holiday Monday England UK
Nice to see my original post from February come to the top again, perhaps DEBORAH and VICKI may give us an update on any developments.
DEBORAH I hope and Pray that LEVI is continuing to grow in strength and his general health, he is still and always will be in my Prayers morning and night - and VICKI hope that You are making some headway.
Take Care John