Joe Stubbs
| Joe Stubbs | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Joseph Stubbles |
| Born | 1942 |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Died | 5 February 1998 (aged 55-56) |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1957–1998 |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | |
Joe Stubbs (born Joseph Stubbles, 1942 — February 5, 1998) was an American R&B/soul singer who became the lead singer of four different groups throughout his recording career. He was the younger brother of The Four Tops' lead Levi Stubbs.
Joe Stubbs was born six years after his brother Levi. The two grew up together in Detroit, Michigan. As a teenager, Stubbs joined the R&B group The Falcons in 1957 and lead them on several of their early hits, among them the million-seller, "You're So Fine" (1959), and "The Teacher" (1960). He was then replaced by Wilson Pickett, who took over as lead in 1960. Stubbs also recorded a solo single for the Lu Pine label entitled "Keep On Loving Me", released in 1964.
He joined Motown R&B group The Contours in the mid-1960s. Several original members had left in 1964, along with lead singer Billy Gordon, who had departed the following year. A renewed version of the group, with Joe Stubbs as lead singer, began recording. He provided lead vocals on their hit "Just A Little Misunderstanding", which was co-written by Stevie Wonder. The song was a Top 20 R&B Hit in 1966, peaking at #18, and also made the UK Top 40, reaching #31, when it was re-released in 1970. It is the only Contours single to feature Stubbs on lead, as he left the group shortly after recording it. Singer Dennis Edwards replaced him; Edwards recorded with the group until 1967, when he was drafted as replacement lead singer of The Temptations, taking over from David Ruffin.
Stubbs then briefly recorded as a member of fellow Motown group The Originals. The group had come together in 1966, and their first single release, a cover of Lead Belly's "Goodnight, Irene", features Stubbs on lead. Initial Originals singles did not chart, and much of their early time around Motown was spent providing backing vocals for other artists like Stevie Wonder and David Ruffin. They would eventually find success under the guidance of Marvin Gaye, who co-wrote and produced their first big hit, "Baby, I'm For Real" in 1969, although Joe Stubbs had departed from the group shortly after their first single back in 1966. At Motown, Stubbs also recorded at least one song as a solo artist; his "The Girl I've Chosen To Be My Bride" was included on volume four of the Cellarful Of Motown! series.
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