|
Post by Diamond Girl on Jun 10, 2006 13:19:11 GMT -5
Lawrence Payton, Four Tops singer, dies - Obituary Jet, July 7, 1997
Lawrence Payton, a member of the legendary R & B quartet The Four Tops, recently died of liver cancer at his home in Southfield, MI. He was 59.
Payton was the musical mastermind behind the group's fiery harmonies of more than 40 years, according to group members.
The group, whose other members include Levi Stubbs, Abdul "Duke" Fakir and Renaldo "Obie" Benson, began singing professionally in 1954, calling themselves the Four Aims. They decided to change their name to the Four Tops after it was suggested they might be confused with the Ames Brothers.
Since the group's birth, it has consisted of all of the original members.
The group had a 10-year career before signing with Motown, in the early '60s.
The group recorded such golden classics as Baby I Need Your Loving and I Can't Help Myself (Sugarpie, Honeybunch).
Despite Payton's failing health, last year he performed with the group on Ebony Magazine's 50th Anniversary television tribute.
In April, however, Payton's health had grown progressively worse, keeping him from attending the unveiling of the group's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Survivors include his wife, Yone M. Payton; ten children; two brothers; 27 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
COPYRIGHT 1997 Johnson Publishing Co. COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
|
|
|
Post by timmy84 on Jun 10, 2006 15:04:34 GMT -5
I remember when they mentioned his death, it was a month right after EBONY praised the boys for staying together for 40-plus years. :woahisme: It just came all of a sudden. :rip: , Lawrence.
|
|