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A little bit of soul at the Fred.

Not the “Same Old Song”

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
lbianchi@thecitizennews.com

Originally signed to Chess Records in 1956, The Four Tops have been together for more than 40 years. As one of Motown's most consistent hit-makers, Abdul (Duke) Fakir, Lawrence Payton, Levi Stubbs, and Renaldo (Obie) Benson helped forged a deep groove through the 60’s with a number of hits like "Same Old Song," "Standing in the Shadows of Love," and "Bernadette." Two of their classics, "I Can't Help Myself,” and "Reach Out and I'll Be There" went all the way to number one. The Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater welcomes The Four Tops Friday and Saturday nights to launch another summer of fun and music in Peachtree City.

The Tops were signed to Berry Gordy’s Motown label in 1964, later moving to ABC/Dunhill in 1972 adding songs like "There Ain't No Woman,” and "Keeper of the Castle” to their already rich repertoire. In 1981, the band changed labels to Casablanca Records riding "When She Was My Girl" to a number 11 spot on the charts. In ‘83, the boys coheaded a tour with The Temptations known as T’n’T. After almost three years of touring around the world, the knockout double punch concert sold out on Broadway.

Levi Stubbs became well known around this time for giving voice to Audrey II in another Broadway hit, “Little Shop of Horrors.” The Four Tops went on to perform with Aretha Franklin in 1989. In 1990 Stevie Wonder inducted the group into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Award yourself this weekend with a little musical history lesson by heading to “The Fred” for a night of sweet soul and raucous R’n’B. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster or by calling 404-249-6400. Visit www.amphitheater.org for more information about this concert and other’s coming up in the Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater’s Summer series.