About
Founding member of the Motown music group The Four Tops, which is often credited as having contributed to the establishment of the Motown Sound in the 1960s. He was the bass singer and choreographer of the group, which released number-one hit songs "I Can't Help Myself" and "Reach Out I'll Be There." He is also known for having co-wrote the No. 2 hit song "What's Going On" for soul singer Marvin Gaye.
Before Fame
He was born in Detroit, Michigan and sang gospel and doo wop while attending Northern High School. He formed The Four Tops with high school classmate Lawrence Payton after meeting Levi Stubbs and Abdul Fakir at a friend's birthday party.
Trivia
In the 1990s, he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Four Tops had the same membership for more than forty years.
Family Life
He is the son of Williams Keith Benson and Ida (Moore) Benson. He had a brother named Yeaines, and three sisters - Shirley, Carlotta, and Jacetta. In 1959, he married his wife, Valaida Talley.
Associated With
Some of his greatest hit songs as a member of The Four Tops were written and produced by the songwriting team Holland-Dozier Holland, made up of Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland, and Brian Holland.
