By Margie (67.126.160.94) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 03:45 pm:

OK - I know it's a bit early, but has anyone heard anything about the 50th Anniversary Tour for the Four Tops? A few of us (and hopefully more), from the MSN Four Tops fansite are trying to plan a get together for all members at one of the performances next year. We'd like to attend a performance relatively close to Detroit, in the hopes that Levi feels well enough to attend. In any event, we'd still like to get as much advanced notice as possible since some of the members of the site are planning on flying over from England.

Anyone here is also encouraged/welcomed to join us.

Also, does anyone know how Levi is doing? I know that the other members of the fansite (including me) are keeping him in our prayers. The man is loved beyond words.

Margie

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 04:04 pm:

HI MARGIE!!!...COINCIDENTIALLY...THE SUBJECT OF LEVI CAME UP TO ME JUST YESTERDAY...AS A FAMILY MEMBER OF ONE OF LEVI'S CLOSEST FRIENDS TOLD ME THAT WHILE LEVI IS DOING "ALLRIGHT"...IT IS BEGINNING TO LOOK UNLIKELY THAT HE WILL BE WELL ENOUGH TO RESUME PERFORMING AT ANY TIME IN THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE!!!...I REPORT THIS WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF DISAPPOINTMENT...HOWEVER...HE IS BEING WELL CARED FOR AND IS HOPEFULLY ENJOYING HIS RETIREMENT AND REFLECTING ON ALL OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT HE HAS DONE IN THE FIELD OF MUSIC OVER HIS LIFETIME!!!...STUBASS

By Margie (67.126.160.94) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 05:55 pm:

Stu,

Thanks for the info. I know all the fans on the MSN fansite will be disappointed, but as long as he is OK, that's the good news. I will keep him in my prayers, and all I can wish for him is a happy life with his wife, children, grand and great grandchildren and friends around him. I think we will still proceed with our plans to try and get together for a 50th anniversary performance, tho, because that also includes Duke and Obie, who are just as deeply loved.

The Four Tops 50th Anniversary is still a milestone in the music business, and we should treat it as such. And I know that Lawrence will be with them in spirit, and that Levi's good wishes will be there also.

Thanks again, and if you do hear about a special performance to kick off their 50th in Detroit, I would appreciate hearing about it. I will go regardless.

Margie

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.166) on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 02:12 am:

I Pray for OUR LEVI every morning and evening, and it is right what you say Margie as long as HE is well that is the most important, but as Stu says what memories he can look back on and the Part he played and still plays in SOUL MUSIC!

Not heard anymore about the book lately, the 50th would be the ideal time for THE FOUR TOPS STORY to be released.

John

By Margie (69.3.135.237) on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 04:01 am:

John and Stu,

I pray for Levi every night before I go to bed, ad every morning on my way to work. And I will continue to attend performances, as long as Duke, Obie, Theo and Ron want to endure the rigors of touring. The Four Tops were always there for me, in song, for the good times. And during the bad times, just listening to a Tops song eased the pain a little. And they helped change the face of popular music, and introduced a whole generation of people to the rich beauty of Soul Music.

And they are still doing that. At their performances you see a lot of baby boomers, like me, but you also see a new, young generation of people listening and getting caught up in the songs that meant so much to me and other people my age.

I would love to see a book about them!!! I'd buy copies and send it to all my friends. Only someone who loved their work would go out on tour every year for 50 years!!!

But, I wonder if The Four Tops even realize how much they have enriched the lives of the people who attend their performances or hear their music? They have won awards and are Hall of Fame inductees, but I wish there were some way that we, the fans, could just convey how much we love and appreciate their work.

Anyway, if there is some kind of 50th Anniversary kickoff performance in or around Detroit, I still want to attend. I feel that in my small way, I am saying "Thanks for the memories!"

Margie

By DEBORAH (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, July 20, 2003 - 05:33 pm:

HI EVERYONE,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND CONCERNS REGARDING
MY DAD, LEVI STUBBS.

HE IS DOING BETTER AND AS PREVIOUSLY STATED ON THE
FORUM, RIGHT NOW HE IS NOT UP TO ANY EXTENSIVE
TRAVELING, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, HE IS ENJOYING HIS TIME AT HOME.

HOWEVER, IF IT BE GOD'S WILL, HE WILL TRY AND MAKE
AS MANY OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR SHOWS AS POSSIBLE !! WE DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT WHETHER
IT WILL BE TO JUST SING MAYBE A SONG OR TWO, OR IF
JUST TO SHOW UP TO SUPPORT HIS "BROTHERS", BUT
PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR HIM.

I WOULD SAY HE'S DOING A LITTLE BETTER THAN JUST
"ALLRIGHT".....HE'S ACTUALLY DOING GREAT CONSIDERING WHAT HE HAS BEEN THROUGH !!!!

LOVE YA,

DEBORAH

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Sunday, July 20, 2003 - 05:39 pm:

((((LEVI)))) LOVE YOU!!

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.163) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 02:03 am:

THANKS! - DEBORAH for the update on Your Dear FATHER LEVI - Our True FRIEND!

LEVI'S Health is the most important, but our Prayers will never cease that one day we will see Him again.

Lots of Love - John

England UK

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 02:10 am:

THANKS FOR THE UPDATE DEBORAH...AND THANKS FOR TAKING CARE FOR LEVI AS HE CONTINUES HIS RECOVERY!!!...STUBASS

By Margie (69.3.210.160) on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 04:10 am:

Deborah,

Thank you for the information. What is important is that he get well, gain strength and enjoy his family, especially those 6 great grand babies. I pray for him daily.

I am the assistant manager of the Four Tops sight over at MSN, and I think your news will cause a great deal of excitement. I'm going to ask the members to post more prayers for Levi.

Margie

PS - And Bless you, Deborah for taking the time to keep us informed. Levi has a great family.

By Stephanie (64.63.221.187) on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 10:25 am:

Deb
Tell Levi we dont care if he just SITS there on stage or sings ONE song just his body being there is enough for us fans. I would love to see him on stage or in the audience man people would love to just SEE the man....Im praying for him,
Stephanie

By Margie (67.126.160.94) on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 12:56 pm:

I agree with Stephanie - just having Levi in the audience will make the fans go nuts. Just seeing him. But, I also fear that all that travel will be too much of a strain. If it is, maybe he could video tape a message to his fans, just so that they/we can see him happy and enjoying his family.

Margie

By DEBORAH (63.77.247.130) on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 03:30 pm:

Hey Stephanie and Margie,

If and when my dad does travel for the 50th anniversary, he will be accompanied by my sister
and myself...and maybe some other family members,
it just depends on the distance.

However, we are going to try and make sure he
gets to as many shows as he feels up to attending!

We are all looking forward to it !! Keep those
prayers up because we all know when the prayers go
up...the blessings come down!!!

Love ya,

Deborah

By Margie (67.126.160.94) on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 04:54 pm:

Deborah,

Your dad is truly blessed - to have such loving and devoted family members, especially you and your sister. I will continue my prayers for your dad and for you all. That is such great news, you just don't know how happy I am at this moment.

Margie

By Margie (67.126.160.94) on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 05:34 pm:

So, isn't Detroit going to do something to honor these guys? After all, Levi, Obie, Duke and Lawrence are all native sons, they helped put Detroit on the map (known for something besides cars), and remained there all their lives, and the remaining are now civic leaders. You would think that someone in Detroit, club owner, venue owner, someone would drum up a party for these guys. The Four Tops don't have to sing - just have a big party for them, invite The Temps, O'Jays and fans. I'd fly to Detroit for that kind of party - just to say "Thanks!" and help celebrate their 50 years of making people happy. I would think that would be a great kickoff for their 50th Anniversary tour.

By Galactus (207.144.253.114) on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 05:47 pm:

Take care Levi. I was ill this past week and missed a day of work with this blasted acid reflux.

Know what cheered me up? My "Fourever" box set......I love the third disc on that set with the early 70s material. Just flawless, perfect music and voices. I played it and even my wife was getting into it.

I swear, if I had to define soul for someone, I would simply play them that long version of "Still Waters (Run Deep)." Beautiful song......"Glad About It", "Changing Times"......that disc just reals off one great one after another.

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 04:36 pm:

I TELL YOU WHAT,IF LEVI[GOD BLESS HIM]IS ABLE TO ATTEND ANY OF THE CONCERTS HE WON'T HAVE TO SING A NOTE,JUST STEP OUT ON THE STAGE AND SMILE,I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RECORD IS FOR A STANDING OVATION,BUT I'M SURE IT WILL BE CHALLENGED THAT NIGHT,AND THEY HAD BETTER BE HANDING OUT HANKIES AT THE DOOR BECAUSE THERE WON'T BE A DRY EYE IN THE HOUSE,WE LOVE YOU LEVI!THE FOUR TOPS ARE TOPS!

By SB (205.186.130.68) on Monday, July 28, 2003 - 06:26 pm:

Margie - here is a interesting site about the Four Tops. They are my second fave group of all time - and that is no question. The Impressions are my third. But - I loved them all - and just about equally. (The Temptations)

http://groups.msn.com/thefourtops/yourwebpage1.msnw

By Margie (67.126.160.94) on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 03:21 pm:

SB,

I am the assistant manager of The Four Tops website you reference. Chris Chiles is the webmaster, and it is a great site. Chris also created sites for Temps, Marvin Gaye and MASH. But the Tops site is my favorite. Everyone is invited to drop by and check it out.

I bought (from ebay) a tape of The Four Tops - a compilation of performances through the years. It had a lot of Soul Train appearances on it, and excepts from other performances. It was so great watching it. My 82 year old father has become a fan!!! The Four Tops are the greatest!!!

PS - MSN has this thing about screen nicknames - mine is KulKukan

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 03:28 pm:

Deborah:
First of all, peace and blessings to you and Father Levi. May he be healthy and full of laughter.

There should be one 50th Anniversary gig and it should be in Detroit. Don't worry about turnout - people will come just to see the Tops.

All Levi has to do is show up.

I'll book the flight the moment an anniversary gig is planned for Detroit (I live in Manhattan).

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By LUCY (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 05:27 pm:

Dear Deborah,
I LOVE YOUR DEAR DAD(AS I'VE SAID MANY,MANY TIMES).I PRAY THAT HE CONTINUES TO IMPROVE.
BELIEVE ME,I AGREE WITH EVERYONE ELSE,IN SAYING HE DOESN'T HAVE TO SING A NOTE.
JUST SEEING HIM WILL BE ENOUGH TO "BRING THE HOUSE DOWN"

LOVE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
LUCY

By DEBORAH (63.77.247.130) on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 - 09:43 am:

HI GUYS,

GOOD TO HEAR FROM ALL OF YOU !!! MY DAD IS DOING
WELL AND AS A MATTER OF FACT, THERE IS A BIG MUSIC
FESTIVAL IN DETROIT THIS WEEKEND. IT ACTUALLY IS
FRI AND SAT. I THINK FRI NIGHT IS KIND OF LIKE
THE "HIP HOP" NIGHT, WITH R.KELLY, THE ISLEY BROTHERS, AND A LOT MORE !! THEN SATURDAY NIGHT WILL BE THE O'JAYS, THE WHISPERS, FRANKIE BEVERLY AND MAZE,THE TEMPATIONS AND THE FOUR TOPS, INDIA ARIE AND NELLIE !!

MY DAD PLANS TO GO AND BE ON STAGE!! WE DON'T KNOW IF HE WILL SING YET, BUT HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO IT, AND SO ARE WE (FAMILY).

THIS IS TAKING PLACE AT COMERICA PARK IN DET ON
FRI AUG 1 AND SAT AUG 2 !!! HOPE TO SEE ALL OF
YOU THERE THAT CAN ATTEND !!!!

LOVE,

DEBORAH

By Margie (67.126.160.94) on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 - 03:42 pm:

Deborah,

Your Dad is amazing. And he couldn't have recovered this much if it weren't for the love and support that you and the rest of your family have given him. You are all truly blessed. I'll keep saying my prayers for your Dad and his wonderful family.

This appearance is going to stop the show!!! It will be great. I'll be there in spirit.

Margie

By Margie (67.126.160.94) on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 - 07:47 pm:

Hey Kevgo,

About booking a flight for the 50th Anniversary bash!! Me too, from Southern California. And, oh I don't know - hundreds, thousands of fans too. I know that there are at least 2 people in England who will do the same thing.

I hope Detroit has room for all of us!!!

Margie

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.167) on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 08:33 am:

Thanks for DEBORAH for always keeping us informed, I would give ANYTHING to be there, but I don't think I will make it.

The Support His FAMILY gives to OUR LEVI is just Superb, I hope he knows the LOVE and PRAYERS that we His Fans have for HIM - HE IS THE WORLD TO ME and Many Others!

His Strenth will Grow - hope that 50th Year can be SPECIAL for OUR LEVI and the Other TOPS!

Lots of Love John

By Marv (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 08:12 pm:

God Bless You Levi!! We Love You and hope you can sing for us again real soon. Peace

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.165) on Sunday, August 03, 2003 - 12:10 pm:

Sunday Late Afternoon England

Come on Guy I have been checking the site every few hours since Friday evenings Concert in Detroit, dod OUR LEVI manage to make it on stage on either the Friday or Saturday concerts, and what reavton did He get?

Thanks John

By LUCY (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, August 03, 2003 - 01:14 pm:

HEY JOHN,
HOW ARE YOU????
I AGREE....I'M PATIENTLY WAITING.....BUT RUNNING OUT OF IT VERY SOON!!!!!!!

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.165) on Sunday, August 03, 2003 - 03:21 pm:

Lucy, so good to see You on Detorit Soul, not bad and yourself? - when I saw someone had replied I was thinking it may be someone who went to The concert! haha

Feel sure Deborah will give is a report, perhaps after the weekend!

Best Wishes John

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Sunday, August 03, 2003 - 04:03 pm:

John Berry - I put a review of the concert under the thread "The beat goes on especially in Detroit"

I LOVE YOU LEVI!!!!!!!!!

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.165) on Sunday, August 03, 2003 - 04:20 pm:

Thanks SisDetroit!

John

By DEBORAH (63.77.247.130) on Monday, August 04, 2003 - 04:58 pm:

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to touch base with you and let you
know how thankful our family is for all your
prayers and well wishes !!! My dad was able to
go on Saturday to the music festival and he did
sing part of "When She Was My Girl" with the "Tops".

It got kind of emotional for him and he started to
cry, just seeing the response he received from the
crowd. Needless to say, he got kind of "choked up", and was not able to finish the song.

Please continue to keep him in your prayers and
hopefully with God's grace he will become even
stronger and move on into "2004" with the "Tops"
for the 50th anniversary !!!!!!!

By Margie (68.164.115.47) on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 12:38 am:

Deborah,

Your father is truly blessed - God gave him this wonderful talent and a loving, supportive family. I will pray for your dad and all of you!!! Thanks for posting the report of the concert. I get choked up just reading about it.

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.168) on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 02:42 am:

Thanks Deborah, what a Mighty Guy OUR LEVI is, He was Truly given a "Gift" from above and He has used it and WILL Do Again.

Our Prayers will NEVER cease.

John

By TD (68.69.127.2) on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 07:39 am:

Deb

I get all choked up anytime I hear Levi sing When She Was My Girl.
God bless

TD

By LUCY (205.188.209.109) on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 07:34 pm:

Hi Deborah,
I just had a gut feeling that what you posted would happen.
AS I'VE SAID MANY,MANY TIMES...YOUR DAD IS LOVED BEYOND WORDS.I'M TEARY EYED JUST THINKING ABOUT IT.
I CONTINUE TO KEEP YOUR BELOVED FATHER IN MY PRAYERS.

LOVE TO YOU AND YOURS.

By Aljaydu (172.201.165.191) on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 11:52 pm:

Deb, Deb, Deb...I'm listening to "I'll Never, Ever Leave Again"...
How are you???? Long time, no hear from !!!
I'm in denver doing some work...had to steal away to find a pc to keep up with you all...

Deb, I'm about to cry...

Tell your dad and your family that my prayers are with him and you all.

Tell Obie and Duke and Theo that they, too, are in my prayers as well as their families.

I'll be in touch...

"I'll Never, Ever Leave Again"...

By stranger56 (165.155.160.122) on Wednesday, August 06, 2003 - 08:25 am:

Creole,

I'll Never.Ever Leave Again.....what a great recording!!
Great harmonies, great lead by Levi! One of my all time favorite Tops recordings, on one of my favorite Tops' LP's, Tonight.

Nice job, Aljaydu !

Jim