Four Tops singer Levi Stubbs, a pioneer of Motown, has died at his home in Detroit.

Stubbs, 72, who had been suffering from ill health, passed away in his sleep.

Stubbs’ illness meant he had been unable to perform with the quartet, who have sold in excess of 50 million records.

Abdul Fakir is the only surviving founder member. Fellow founders Lawrence Payton and Obie Benson died in 1997 and 2005.

Four Tops began life in the 1950s as the Four Aims. They were signed to Motown Records in 1963.

The group, who were last seen together in April on the Late Show with David Letterman, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

(by Jason Gregory)