Died On This Date (January 4, 2010) Tony Clarke / Respected British Producer

Tony Clarke
August 21, 1941 – January 4, 2010

Tony Clarke is best remembered as a successful British record producer who worked on records by the likes of the Moody Blues, the Four Tops, Clannad, and Rick Wakeman.  In the early years of his music career, he worked as a session man, most prominently for Decca Records who eventually hired him as a record promoter.  Tony Clarke was 68 when he passed away on January 4, 2010.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.


Died On This Date (August 9, 2009) David Van De Pitte / Arranger For Motown

David Van De Pitte
October 28, 1941 – August 9, 2009

As a music arranger for Motown, David Van De Pitte helped make hits out of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” Eddie Kendricks‘ “Keep On Truckin,'” Gladys Knight’s “If I Were Your Woman,” and many more.  Van De Pitte started working at Motown in 1968 and besides his arrangement successes, he was also the music director for live shows by the likes of Diana Ross, Paul Anka, the Four Tops and the Temptations.  David Van De Pitte died of cancer at the age of 67.

Died On This Date (June 30, 2002) Richard “Pistol” Allen / Motown’s Funk Brothers

Richard “Pistol” Allen
August 12, 1932 – June 30, 2002

pistolRichard “Pistol” Allen was a drummer for Motown’s Funk Brothers, the acclaimed session band the provided the sound for many of the greatest songs in American history.  His shuffle style drumming could be heard on such classics as the Supremes’ “Baby Love,” Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” and the Four Tops’ “I Can’t Help Myself.”  During the ’50s,  Allen began playing in clubs throughout Detroit, and it was there that he befriended Motown’s legendary drummer, Benny Benjamin who ultimately helped him get into the Motown family in 1961.   In 2002, Allen was a key figure in the critically acclaimed documentary on the Funk Brothers, “Standing In The Shadows Of Motown.”  He died of cancer a short time later.

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Died On This Date (June 5, 2010) Tony Peluso / Guitarist For The Carpenters

Tony Peluso
DOB Unknown- June 5, 2010

Tony Peluso was a producer and musician who is perhaps best remembered as the lead guitarist for the Carpenters for the better part of 12 years.  As a producer or engineer, Peluso worked with the likes of Michael Jackson, the Temptations, Kenny Loggins, Boyz II Men, the Four Tops, the Fixx, and Smokey Robinson.  He also collaborated with Bobby Sherman and Paul Revere & The Raiders.  Tony Peluso was 60 when he died of heart disease on June 5, 2010.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

On This Date (October 17, 2008) Levi Stubbs / The Four Tops

Levi Stubbs (Born Levi Stubbles)
June 6, 1936 – October 17, 2008

Levi Stubbs was unquestionably one of R&B’s greatest vocalists.  He is best remembered as the lead singer of the Four Tops, one of the Motown’s signature groups.  The Tops recorded hit after hit for the label beginning in 1964. Such hits included, “Reach Out, I’ll Be There,” “Standing In The Shadows Of Love,” and “I Can’t Help Myself.” The group and Motown parted ways in 1972, with the Tops signing to ABC Dunhill Records where they had a brief resurgence with “Keeper Of the Castle,” and “Aint No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got).” They continued to record moderately successful records through the ’70s and reunited with Motown in time to celebrate the label’s 25th anniversary in 1983 after which they recorded a few more albums and toured with the Temptations. The Four Tops continued touring and recording until the passing of Lawrence Payton in 1997.  They were elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.  Levi Stubbs died in his sleep at the age of 72.

Thanks to Craig Rosen from Number1Albums and John Harrison

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Four Tops: The Definitive Collection - The Four Tops