Renaldo “Obie” Benson, a member of the legendary Motown singing group the Four Tops, died Friday at a Detroit hospital. He was 69. His death was confirmed by Craig Hankenson, president of Producers Inc., one of the agencies that books dates for the group.
“It was not unexpected. He has been ill,” Hankenson said.
The Four Tops sold more than 50 million records and recorded hit songs such as “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “Reach Out (I’ll Be There),” “I Can’t Help Myself” and “Standing in the Shadows of Love.”
Benson’s death leaves two surviving members of the original group: Levi Stubbs and Abdul “Duke” Fakir. The fourth original Top, Lawrence Payton, died of liver cancer in 1997. The group now also features vocalists Theo Peoples and Ronnie McNeir.
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