Stubbs has been regarded by some as one of the quintessential male soul singers. According to AllMusic's Ed Hogan, the vocalist had a "pleading urgency in his voice that perfectly captured the longing anxiousness of the songs written by the producing trio of Holland-Dozier-Holland". War band member Lonnie Jordan later told Billboard.com he felt "blessed" to meet Stubbs, and thought that the Four Tops singer's "voice was so good he was just, like, from another planet." Personal life Stubbs and his wife Clineice were married (for 48 years) from 1960 until his death in 2008. The couple had five children along with 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Death Stubbs was diagnosed with cancer in 1995, and after suffering a stroke in 2000, he was no longer able to tour with the Four Tops. He died in his sleep on October 17, 2008, at his home in Detroit. A memorial service for Stubbs was held at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit on October 27. Many of Stubbs' friends from the music industry attended including Berry Gordy, Martha Reeves, Brian Holland, Ali-Ollie Woodson and Dennis Edwards. Detroit City Council member JoAnn Watson, along with Martha Reeves, presented a resolution naming Stubbs' birthday "Levi Stubbs Day" in Detroit. Stubbs is interred at Detroit's historic Woodlawn Cemetery. Cultural references Stubbs features in Billy Bragg's 1986 song "Levi Stubbs' Tears", about a woman whose Four Tops cassette brings her comfort through difficult times. Filmography Film Television Soundtrack References External links Levi Stubbs interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' October 1992 Obituary in Los Angeles Times Obituary in The New York Times Obituary on NPR Music 1936 births 2008 deaths African-American male actors American baritones American male film actors American male television actors American male voice actors American soul singers Burials in Michigan Deaths from cancer in Michigan Male actors from Detroit Motown artists Four Tops members The Midnighters members Burials at Woodlawn Cemetery (Detroit) American rhythm and blues singers Singers from Detroit 20th-century American male actors Pershing High School alumni 20th-century African-American male singers 21st-century African-American male singers