Led by the booming baritone of Levi Stubbs, Detroit's Four Tops could make a love song sound like a life-or-death struggle. Though aimed at teen record buyers, the vocal quartet often felt like the most grown-up of the first Motown stars—their driving soul-pop subtly asked if we were man or woman enough to embrace them. They had that kind of power. After signing to the legendary label in 1963, their gospel-trained voices graced a series of brilliantly executed chart-toppers. Changing fashions saw them slide from pop favour in the '70s, but they continued a run of R&B hits as soul turned to disco.