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Post by Motorcity on Jul 1, 2006 23:00:43 GMT -5
Boom-Boom, we miss ya
You were a joy to us You're one of Motown's great voices and hearts
Renaldo 'Obie' Benson 6-14-37(36) - 7-1-05
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Post by Motorcity on Jul 1, 2006 23:09:44 GMT -5
Obie Benson, original bass singer of the Four Tops, succumbs at 69Jet, August 1, 2005 Obie Benson, an original member and the bass voice of the legendary Motown singing group the Four Tops, succumbed in Detroit. He was 69. Benson died of lung cancer that was discovered when his leg was amputated due to circulation problems, according to publicist Matt Lee. The Four Tops, who signed with Motown Records in 1963, sold more than 50 million records and recorded hit songs such as Baby I Need Your Loving, Reach Out (I'll Be There), I Can't Help Myself (Sugarpie, Honeybunch), Bernadette and Standing in the Shadows of Love. Benson's death leaves two members of the original group, Levi Stubbs and Abdul "Duke" Fakir. Lawrence Payton died of liver cancer at 59 in 1997 (Jet, July 7, 1997). The group began singing professionally in 1954, calling themselves the Four Aims. They decided to change the name to the Four Tops after it was suggested they might be confused with the Ames Brothers. The Four Tops were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Seven years later they were awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Born Renaldo Benson, Obie was on tour with the Four Tops when he witnessed a scuffle between protesters and the police over a disused urban lot which the protesters called People's Park. He then started writing the first draft of the antiwar song What's Going On. The song was recorded by Marvin Gaye in 1970. Gaye added lyrics and other touches to What's Going On, and it is now in music history as one of the greatest R&B tunes of all time. Survivors include two daughters. COPYRIGHT 2005 Johnson Publishing Co. COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group
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Post by timmy84 on Jul 2, 2006 11:22:15 GMT -5
:rip: to the Bass of the Tops... we'll forever miss you, Brother Obie. :angelwings:
It's the same ole song But with a different meaning since you've been gone...
:boygroup4:
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Post by Motown Honey on Jul 2, 2006 18:04:41 GMT -5
You are one of my favorite singers and Motowners :angelwings: Heaven was missing an angel :angelwings:
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Post by Emerald City on Jul 6, 2006 15:02:15 GMT -5
Since You've Been Gone it hasn't been the same
But for the music we thank you and Fourever remain loyal to your legacey
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