Reference Number
ARC-0047
Level of description
collection
Title
Four Tops Collection (Abdul Fakir Papers)
Date
1967-1991, undated
Size
5.83 (Linear feet)
Scope and Contents
The Four Tops Collection spans the years 1967 to 1991, with the bulk of the material dating between 1974-1978. The majority of the collection is business records. These records include invoices, tour information, contracts, song information, and bank records. Also included in the collection is correspondence, printed materials, including microphone and amplifier instruction manuals, photographs, and a 1/4-inch audio tape reel. The Collection provides rich insight to the daily life of a popular recording and touring musical group; the financial aspects in particular. The Four Tops Collection is organized by format, with business records first, listed alphabetically by file title. The business records include invoices, bank statements, tour information, contracts, song information, original sheet music, receipts, and insurance documents. Other formats of material follow, arranged alphabetically by file title.
Timeline
1953: Levi Stubbs, Renaldo "Obie" Benson, Abdul "Duke" Fakir, and Lawrence Payton form a vocal group, the Four Aims, in their hometown of Detroit, Michigan.
1954: The group changes their name to the Four Tops.
1963: Sign to Berry Gordy's Motown Records.
1964: Hit #11 with "Baby I Need Your Loving," the first of many songs written for them by the Motown songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland.
1965: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" is first #1 hit.
1966: Reach #1 for the second time in their career with "Reach Out, I'll Be There."
1972: Motown moves headquarters to Los Angeles, and the Four Tops part ways with the company, choosing to remain in their hometown of Detroit. They later sign with ABC-Dunhill.
1973: "Ain't No Woman Like the One I Got" peaks at #4. It is their 20th Top Forty hit in ten years.
1977: Payton succumbs to liver cancer at his home in Southfield, Mich.
1983: Appear on Motown's 25th Anniversary TV special. They re-sign with the label.
1990: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
2005: Benson dies at age 69 after a brief battle with cancer.
2008: Stubbs dies at home in Detroit at age 72.
Existence and Location of Originals
Preservation photocopies of some documents have been made to replace the originals in poor condition.
Notes
Acquisition Note: The Four Tops Collection was received by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. as a gift from Abdul Fakir in November 2010.
Citation: [Identification of item], Four Tops Collection, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Processing Information: Processed by Rachel Somerville, Project Archivist, and James A. Kohler, Project Archivist. Completed June 28, 2012. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local processing manual.
Access
Collection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration form before using this collection. Some of the materials in the collection are confidential and are, therefore, RESTRICTED. Access copies of these materials will have to be created prior to use. The audiovisual material in the collection is on a defunct media format and, therefore, is RESTRICTED. An access copy of this material will have to be created prior to use. Consult the Library and Archives staff in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.
Use
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.
Associated Persons
Associated Subjects
