Obituary: Renaldo 'Obie' Benson

[Diamond Girl]

Renaldo 'Obie' Benson



One day in the early 1970s, Renaldo "Obie" Benson, who has died of lung cancer aged 68, saw the San Francisco police attacking a crowd of hippies. A founder member of the seminal Tamla Motown group, the Four Tops, Benson had already been thinking a lot about the social and political unrest in black America. He was also, at the time, branching out as a songwriter.
Enraged by the incident, he wrote, in collaboration with Motown arranger Al Cleveland, the lyrics for What's Goin' On?, a song about such a controversial subject that the rest of the group refused to record it. So Benson offered it, unsuccessfully, to Joan Baez, with whom the Four Tops were appearing on British television. Finally, he approached the Motown star Marvin Gaye. According to Benson, he gave Gaye a songwriter credit and a share of the royalties as an inducement to record what became a classic of popular music, and one of Gaye's most renowned performances.

Born in Detroit, Benson attended Northern high school with Lawrence Payton; in 1953, they met Pershing high students Levi Stubbs and Abdul Fakir at a birthday party. The quartet began to harmonise, with Benson taking the bass part and Stubbs as lead vocalist. They rehearsed intensively and, having debuted at local functions as the Four Aims, attracted the attention of the Chicago-based record company, Chess. In 1956, they recorded their first single, Kiss Me Baby.
Chess changed the quartet's name to the Four Tops to avoid confusion with the better-known vocal group, the Ames Brothers, but subsequent records for Red Top and Riverside were commercially unsuccessful. However, the Four Tops remained in demand on the night-club circuit, singing jazz and pop standards, and, by the early 1960s, they were playing venues in New York and Las Vegas, usually supporting such stars as Billy Eckstine and Count Basie.

Then, in 1963, they recorded a jazz-inflected album for Tamla Motown, Detroit's newest record company. Its founder, songwriter Berry Gordy, decided not to issue it, placing the quartet instead with his inhouse composing and producing team, Holland-Dozier Holland, and shifting them towards rhythm & blues. The result, Baby I Need Your Lovin', was the first of 13 American top 20 hits for the group between 1964 and 1970.

The catchy, pop-flavoured melodies of the Four Tops' repertoire were a perfect foil to the more complex, soulful songs composed by Smokey Robinson for Motown's other great male group, the Temptations. By the later 1960s, the Four Tops were mainly recording Motown-style versions of pop hits such as the Left Bank's Walk Away Renee, Tim Hardin's If I Were A Carpenter and Jimmy Webb's MacArthur Park.

When Gordy moved his company to Los Angeles in 1972, the Four Tops stayed in Detroit and joined the Dunhill label. There, producer-writers Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter created hits for them with Keeper Of The Castle and Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got).

By the mid-1970s, however, their urbane style was out of step with new trends in black pop music, though they remained in demand as concert and nightclub performers in both the US and Europe. They also contributed to film soundtracks, such as Shaft In Africa (1973) and Buster (1988), for which they sang Loco In Acapulco.

From the 1980s, the Four Tops frequently toured with the Temptations, reprising their greatest hits. In 1990, the Four Tops were inducted by Stevie Wonder into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame and, in 1992, they performed at the opening ceremony for EuroDisney in France.

In 1997, after Payton's death, Theo Peoples joined the group, and, five years ago, illness led to the retirement of Stubbs. At the group's most recent British recent appearance - with the Temptations at the Royal Albert Hall in 2003 - only Benson and Fakir remained of the original four. Benson's final appearance with the group was on the David Letterman television show in April.

While amputating a leg because of circulation problems, doctors discovered the cancer which caused his death. He is survived by two daughters.

[Diamond Girl]

:RIP:

Farewell ((Obie))

Thank you for all the smoothness and smiles :sweetsorry:

Your legend will live on :kingtheman:

:angelwings:

[Emerald City]

Still can't believe he's gone

Latest Funeral Details from SD:

Any One Wishing To Send A Card Of Condolence: "Viewing...Pye Funeral Home, 17600 Plymouth Rd., Detroit, Michigan 48227..Thurs., July 7, 2005, 3:00pm-8:00pm...Services To Be Held @ Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2080 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, Michigan @ 11:00am".

Sleep Sweetly Obie...we will never forget You :angelwings:

[Motown Honey]

I can't believe this :sniffling:

I am still crying about this :tearing:

He was more than a background singer; he was their bass, choreographer and seemed to be their equivalent to Paulie, HEART :love:

I always loved the Tops, but not in a fanatic way.
I have a couple anthologies, greatest hits, 45s vicariously and a lot of video footage.
They were more than a music group, they were friends, brothers! I loved and respected them for that.
Always held and will hold a spot in my heart :ilovemusic:

Mr. Obie, your love and heart came through on every song and in every performance :singanddance:

I pray that you are at peace and are free from pain :thinkingdreaming:

Your legend will live on through your soul :angelwings:

Peaceful Journey, Boom-Boom :RIP:

Condolences to his family, loved ones, friends and fans :sweetsorry:

[Emerald City]

motown said:

Mr. Obie, your love and heart came through on every song and in every performance

This is what I remember about him most....always the life of every Tops performance.

I just know he's dancing on those clouds right now :angelwings:

[Motown Honey]

vintage78 said:

motown said:

Mr. Obie, your love and heart came through on every song and in every performance

This is what I remember about him most....always the life of every Tops performance.

I just know he's dancing on those clouds right now

More than anything, I pray for that :cloud9:

[Kay]

:angelwings: God Bless Your Soul (((Obie))) :angelwings:

[Motown Honey]

Motown family reunites to say goodbye to Four Tops singer

BY CASSANDRA SPRATLING
Knight Ridder Newspapers

DETROIT - (KRT) - At a spacious church just one mile from the tiny studio that sent their voices around the world, members of the Motown family gathered Friday to say goodbye to Renaldo `` Obie'' Benson, whose beautiful baritone blended with the voices of three other men to make the Four Tops.

Benson, 69, died July 1 at Harper Hospital in Detroit following a series of sudden serious illnesses, including a heart attack and lung cancer. His funeral was held at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church on West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, just down the street from what is now the Motown Historical Museum. But in 1963, it was the home of Motown Records, the company that recorded such Four Tops hits as "Baby I Need Your Loving," "I Can't Help Myself," "Bernadette," and "Standing in the Shadows of Love."

Many of the people who wrote or produced music, played instruments or sang for Motown attended the funeral. Afterward, it looked like a Motown family reunion as longtime acquaintances hugged and greeted one another, and fans snapped photographs and asked for autographs.

Among those present were Otis Williams of the Temptations, Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers - both original members of the Miracles - retired Motown Vice P resident Esther Gordy Edwards and two brothers of the famous Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team, Eddie and Brian Holland.

One of the most touching moments occurred just before Benson's casket was closed. Abdul ``Duke'' Fakir pushed a wheelchair-bound Levi Stubbs to the casket. Tears rolled down Stubbs' face as the only two surviving original members of the Four Tops said their final goodbye. The other original member, Lawrence Payton, died in 1997.

Other members of the Motown family were there in spirit. Motown founder Berry Gordy sent a statement and the Spinners, the Contours and others sent floral arrangements.

Former Temptation member Ollie Woodson sang a stirring rendition of the gospel classic "Walk Around Heaven All Day."

"I came here to celebrate my brother," Robinson told the gathering of about 1,000 people. "I know we'll miss him, but we shouldn't mourn, because he was so full of life all the time. He's here today, but he's not in that casket. He's somewhere now having a good time, like he always did."

Eddie Holland read the statement from Gordy, who described Benson as "a shining light - whenever he hit the stage it glowed.

"His singing, dancing and artistry gave the Four Tops that extra spirit, that extra love, that extra showmanship that always kept them on top throughout their career," the statement read.

The nearly three-hour service was upbeat and inspirational, accented with powerful singing and preaching, a fitting tribute to a man who lived life with great joy.

In interviews before and after the funeral, those who knew him talked about his fun-loving personality and ever-present exuberant smile.

"He was always smiling, no matter what," said his daughter, Tobi Walker. His other daughter, Eboni Benson, added, "He was the best - absolute best - father ever. He was always there for us, even with his busy schedule."

Eddie Holland called Benson's smile infectious. "I don't care what kind of mood you were in, once you saw him, your mood picked up. This man loved life. No one has any reason to feel badly" about his death "because he lived his life to the fullest."

"Obie had a smile, I don't care how bad the situation was," said Robert Smith, who was one of Motown's early drummers.

Said Sir Mack Rice: "He was just a joy to be around." Rice wrote such hits as "Mustang Sally," "Cheaper to Keep Her," and "Respect Yourself."

Music writer, producer and singer Harvey Fuqua, who headed the artist-development department of Motown for many years and played golf with Benson, called him a genuine person.

"He lived his life like he wanted to. You know that Frank Sinatra song, `I Did it My Way'? Obie did it his way."

The Four Tops was one of the few groups that did not move to California when Gordy moved the company there in 1972. The group sold more than 50 million records in a 50-year career that began when they were high school students in Detroit. They are admired and applauded for the long-lasting brotherly bond that existed between them.

Benson was also a songwriter. Perhaps his most famous is "What's Going On," co-written with Marvin Gaye, who sang it.

"Obie meant the world to me," said Williams of the Temptations.

Williams said the tremendous turnout of Motown people is indicative of the love they shared.

"Motown is a family still, even though it's not what it was when Berry had it," Williams said.

[Diamond Girl]

Another article on the homegoing of Renaldo 'Obie' Benson :angelwings:

Renaldo 'Obie' Benson: 1936-2005

Motown legends pay respect to Top

Smokey Robinson, Otis Williams join other friends and family to honor the late singer.

By Susan Whitall / The Detroit News
Robin Buckson / The Detroit News

The Motown family came together to say goodbye to one of its more effervescent sons, Four Tops singer Renaldo "Obie" Benson, at a service held Friday at the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. Benson, 69, died July 1 at Harper Hospital.

The big new church is just a few miles down Grand Boulevard from the scene of Benson's glory with the Tops -- the former Motown studios at 2648 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit.

Many Motown alumni flew in from afar to pay tribute to the singer, including Otis Williams of the Temptations; Smokey Robinson; singer/songwriter/producer Harvey Fuqua (of Harvey and the Moonglows, and Anna Records and Motown Records); Claudette Robinson of the Miracles; and Janie Bradford, the Motown secretary who co-wrote Motown's first hit, "Money."

Benson's family, including daughters Tobi Walker and Ebonie Rae Benson, entered the church first. As Benson's baby granddaughters Mya, 16 months, and Zion, 2, scurried around and smiled at visitors, his daughter Tobi said: "He was the greatest father. He was just 'Dad' to us, we thought everybody's daddy was on TV."

Benson graduated from Cass Tech with honors, but he gave up a college scholarship to tour with the group he helped form in high school, then known as the Four Aims. Except for a few years off to serve in the Army, Benson was a Four Top for 51 years, and as a songwriter, he co-wrote Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On."

The Four Tops lasted more than 40 years without a personnel change, up to the death in 1997 of Lawrence Payton, Benson's Cass Tech pal.

Their long run led to a lasting friendship, and a family feeling among the singers' children.

The Rev. Razime Fakir, son of Abdul "Duke" Fakir, spoke during the service about how being the son of a Four Top meant he had four fathers, not one.

"Obie used to come by and take me for a ride. He always had a nice car, and he knew I liked cars," Fakir said. Often the teenager hadn't been doing right.

"He would let me have it," Fakir said with a laugh. "Then he'd give me two or three dollars, hug me and say, 'No matter what you do, I'll still love you.' "

At the funeral, the last two founding members of the Four Tops entered together -- Levi Stubbs in a wheelchair but looking strong, and the elder Fakir. They were accompanied by newer Tops Theo Peoples, Ronnie McNair and Roquel Payton (son of the late Lawrence Payton). Payton started filling in for Benson after he became ill.

Esther Gordy Edwards and her granddaughter, Robin Terry, both of Detroit's Motown Historical Museum, paid their respects, as did Bobby Rogers of the Miracles, and musicians Sir Mack Rice, Norman Thrasher of the Midnighters, Clay McMurray and James Jamerson Jr.

Former Temptation Ollie Woodson sang a heartfelt "Walk Around Heaven All Day," and Smokey Robinson drew laughs from the assembled with his story about Benson's nickname, "De One."

The story went, a female fan once said: "De Miracles are OK, but I love de Four Tops," and referred to her favorite, Benson as "de one to the right of de one that doesn't sing lead." That led to Robinson's nickname for Benson of "de one."

"Obie isn't in that casket," Robinson said. "He's somewhere up there with 'de one to the left of de one that doesn't sing lead,' " referring to the late Payton and where he stood on stage.

One of the most amazing sights for any student of Motown history was that of Eddie Holland speaking at the church podium, representing his old boss, Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr.

Holland, his brother Brian and Lamont Dozier, who made up the label's songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland, left Motown in a huff in the late '60s and filed a lawsuit against Gordy that led to decades of bad feelings.

Now Eddie Holland was reading Gordy's tribute to Benson.

"... This is a tremendous loss to me and the Motown family," Gordy wrote. "Whenever I'm unhappy, I'll think about your shining, inspirational face."

Benson's expansive personality helps account for some of the healing. Time has done the rest.

Marveling afterward at the sight of a Holland brother speaking for Gordy, Claudette Robinson said, "After all, we started out as a family. And we're ending up a family."

You can reach Susan Whitall at [phone] or swhitall@ detnews.com.


Farewell Obie

:woahisme:

[Motown Honey]

jazzy said:

Another article on the homegoing of Renaldo 'Obie' Benson


Farewell Obie

This article is even better ... Peace to you 'Obie'

[Emerald City]

Boy, I can really feel the love in this thread. It must have really been a sight to see most of the Motown Family together again saying their farewells to Obie :cloud9:

However, it doesn't surprise me at all that Berry was a no show

[Diamond Girl]

Awww, Berry didn't have to show, our guy Obie is still De One

[Motown Honey]

You're still De One that makes me smile...
Still De One that's Tops for miles...
We'll always have some fun, and you're still De One

:woo: :gentleman: :kingtheman: :gentleman: :woo:

[Diamond Girl]

motown said:

You're still De One that makes me smile...
Still De One that's Tops for miles...
We'll always have some fun, and you're still De One

:yayy: :yayy:

[antceleb12]

I miss you, Obie, you were the Tops!