Recent footage of the Tops with the new lead singer...

**MadLad** · 03-22-2011, 11:25 PM

Whatcha guys think?

**marv2** · 03-23-2011, 12:26 AM

Uhhh,, that would be a no!

**jboy88** · 03-23-2011, 01:07 AM

I've seen worse yet i've seen better. Was shocked to hear they got rid of Theo!! I'd always thought the only way out of The Four Tops was in a box!

**hartfordman** · 03-23-2011, 08:25 AM

He sounds pretty good and the guys are still able to keep the momentum. Being one that has left a band a few years ago being one of the lead singers left no dent for the band continues so its not always about the members that count.

**nosey** · 03-23-2011, 08:26 AM

I'll just play my records............

**bjmingo** · 03-23-2011, 10:37 AM

Oh, No,
This could not be a replacement for Levi or Theo.
A big mistake.

**jaybs** · 03-24-2011, 05:17 AM

It could be anyone? no distinction, THANKS LEVI! You Left us the MEMORIES and so many of them on Record/CD/DVD, Theo was your choice Levi and he did a great job, it is the end of an era but a good one!

**robbert** · 03-24-2011, 08:04 AM

OMG, not even up to nowadays standards this group of Tops is... Duke Fakir should know better than to keep on going on below standard.
I agree, I'll keep on playing their records.

**REDHOT** · 03-24-2011, 12:12 PM

Really, it's not bad,at all, [[to me) The 4 Tops will always be around,no matter who's in the group.
Please stay positive

**MotownSteve** · 03-24-2011, 03:42 PM

Except for the fact that Duke is in the group and they can legitimately call themselves the Four Tops, I'd think they were a pretty decent tribute group. One thing the clip does do, however, is make one realize how great the original Four Tops: Levi Stubbs, Lawrence Payton, Abdul Fakir, and Renaldo Benson were!

**arrr&bee** · 03-24-2011, 08:15 PM

I'm with the others...i'll just play my records.

**milven** · 03-25-2011, 03:16 PM

Once the lead singer leaves, the group is not much more than a tribute group. Sometimes the group can endure and have more hits with a new lead singer, as the Temptations have done, but that is the exception, not the rule.

But audiences still go see the Tops, Shirelles, Chi-lites, Blue Notes etc even though the voice that created the hits is no longer there. It's been said before, it's all about the music.

**jillfoster** · 03-25-2011, 03:35 PM

I'll just be happy with my memories of seein the REAL 4 tops in 1988.

**Ms Flo** · 03-25-2011, 04:08 PM

I'm missing Levi right now!

**tom_moulton** · 03-25-2011, 05:41 PM

This group would be good if they didn't have all those great records under the same name.

**MadLad** · 03-25-2011, 07:58 PM

One huge problem that I noticed here. Levi sang all the leads in baritone and Theo sings baritone/second tenor and in the original group with Duke as 1st tenor, Lawrence 2nd tenor and Obie bass, Levi's baritone fit right in with the other guys harmony as he sang lead. Same as Theo and with Theo being a musician [[piano player), he understands the histionics of harmony. When Spike was with The Spinners he sang 1st tenor. With that being said the classic four part harmonies are no longer there.

**rod_rick** · 03-25-2011, 10:07 PM

It's not that bad, but the lead seem to be out of breath. Still miss Theo, just waiting for the brother to emerge somewhere. It seem that Feddie Poole and Theo sang with groups for a number of years to get let go over MONEY. Where's the loyalty for service rendered

**zebop** · 03-26-2011, 01:10 AM

Oh no. The reason why Levi worked so well is because he had a big voice, a baritone that really mixed well with those often broad lyrics. Levi also had a sense of drama and humor that stopped most of those songs from being this close to hyperbole.

That clip isn't so hot....

**marv2** · 03-26-2011, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by zebop

Oh no. The reason why Levi worked so well is because he had a big voice, a baritone that really mixed well with those often broad lyrics. Levi also had a sense of drama and humor that stopped most of those songs from being this close to hyperbole.

That clip isn't so hot....

Zebop, that is very good. I agree. Levi was the only person that I knew that could "cry with his voice"! He did bring the right amounts of drama to certain songs. If you ever seen them perform "MacArthur Park" live, you know what I am referring to. He knew exactly when and where to modulate his voice on certain notes in the song to really put the lyrics over as something truly meaningful. It is a huge task to try to replace a legend, a master of his art in any situation. That is why I also have to agree with what Tom Moulton said in regards to having so many great songs that it makes it tough for a person like this guy Spike.

Now if the Tops were to record some songs with his voice in the lead, that might make things work a little better for them, but I don't believe that is going to happen.

**jaybs** · 03-26-2011, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by marv2

Now if the Tops were to record some songs with his voice in the lead, that might make things work a little better for them, but I don't believe that is going to happen.

You are quite right Marv2, Why has the 1999 Millennium sessions and album with LEVI and Theo has never seen light of day? some answers are needed!

**traciewillis2000** · 03-28-2011, 03:31 PM

As someone who saw both the Original Tops and their replacement choice in Theo on lead a bunch of times for me this is the end of The Real Legendary Four Tops. I'm just waiting now for Duke to make a fool of himself when he bad mouths a "drifters", "platters or "coasters" for being fake when he's done the same thing to his group. I've seen some of them and am sad to say some of those "groups" have better lead singers than this new guy. This version of The Tops is now just like all of them just a tribute group out there for people who just wanna enjoy the songs, have a good time and don't care who the members are.

**Doug-Morgan** · 03-28-2011, 04:28 PM

I have to agree with most of the above posts. The Tempts and The Tops are doing a joint casino show not far from here later this summer, and at this point are nothing more than cover groups probably not worth the $50+ the tickets will probably go for, and when they go on sale, I will advise my blog reader not to waste the money.

In my opinion, if one would want to see "The Temptations" in a form that sounds remotely like the classic group, The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards would probably be the way to go.

**tomato tom** · 03-28-2011, 05:02 PM

At least I have the memories of seeing all four ORIGINAL members in concert circa 1971, and then again every couple of years later...Paulo xxxx

**traciewillis2000** · 03-28-2011, 05:37 PM

What makes the timing of this move even more crazy is the fact that a major record label in SONY just recently released a CD of The Tops greatest hits live in concert with Theo singing lead and his picture on the cover!

http://www.amazon.com/S-u-l-Four-Tops/dp/B004M3PTWK/

smark21 · 03-28-2011, 07:55 PM

Watching the audience in the clip, I think they don't really care who's singing up there as they seem to be having a good time.

**Doug-Morgan** · 03-28-2011, 08:41 PM

And that's a BIG problem, and one reason why bands like "War" and "Guess Who" keep touring. If you were to go to a "Guess Who" show thinking you'd be seeing at minimum Burton Cummings, you'd be bitterly dissapointed.

This goes back to the conflict that we've talked over and over about. When you're spending good money for tickets to see a "classic" act of most any genre, do a little research so that you know what you're getting.....

**arrr&bee** · 04-06-2011, 02:12 PM

The problem i have is when they start replacing the replacements,as someone said the temptations were the exception as were the spinners and the supremes for a minute with jean terrell,and while i do understand an artist wanting to keep the group name alive and of course you can't duplicate the original voices but something is just lost in the vocal changes.

**tsull1** · 04-06-2011, 02:36 PM

There's some very good Tempts replacements still alive. While I'll pay for a current Tempts concert, I'd travel a few U.S. states if Street, Leonard, Edwards, and Harris were still in the group ... same with Peoples and/or Henderson.

**marv2** · 04-06-2011, 04:08 PM

If you want to see something sad in regards to a once popular group/band soldiering on without most of it's original members, then check this out! Rose Royce performing earlier this year: