A piece of classic Motorcity, from 1990, this is Joe Stubbs singing his first ever big hit with the Falcons, "You're So Fine". Originally recorded in 1959, this was given the updated Motorcity treatment thirty one years later. Joe Stubbs was the brother of Levi Stubbs, lead singer of The Four Tops. Joe had been lead singer with four very famous soul groups. The first of these was The Falcons, and their classic early soul hit "You're So Fine". Then secondly came The Contours, with Joe being the legendary rasping voice of "Just A Little Misunderstanding", and the first version of "Baby Hit And Run". Thirdly with The Originals, when they had five members, as lead singer on "Goodnight Irene" and "Green Grow The Lilacs", before leaving them as a foursome, and creating, with fellow Detroit legend Steve Mancha, the wonderful group on Hot Wax, One Hundred Proof Aged In Soul, which gave him his biggest ever hit, "Somebody's Been Sleeping", and his oh so acclaimed deep soul classic, "Aint That Loving You For More Reasons Than One". After such a legendary career, and such acclaimed vocals, suddenly, and without warning, tragedy struck. Jo-Jo (as everyone called him) had a terrible accident, when his car crashed into a brick wall, and he was slightly brain damaged, but still able to talk, sing, and perform, but left somewhat childlike, and innocent, and lacking the "get up and go" that he had always possessed. Levi was such a wonderful big brother to him, and no matter how busy, he always took the time to make sure Jo-Jo was okay. We signed Joe to Motorcity, cut two albums with him, "Round And Round", and "Pressure Point", and then also a "Best Of Joe Stubbs" third album, and we even got him a tour of England, accompanying The Supremes. Although a little slower than he used to be, he still made some great and powerful vocals, and adored the chance that Motorcity gave him to still have his career. He sadly passed away in the mid 1990s and is much missed by all of us. He was like a big old teddy bear. This is his solo rendition of the Falcons classic, and the footage is from the live show when he was on tour with The Supremes, late on in 1990.
What great voices to come from one family,Levi & Joe Stubbs ! They will never be forgotten.
mydimail 1 year ago
Amazing!!!
Strongsong 2 years ago
Great post.Thanks.
bobrofmad 2 years ago
Amazingly better than the original
Soulanddisco 2 years ago