The number hit on the radio on October 12th, 1966, the year that UMB was established, comes from another group that helped define the Motown sound: The Four Tops with one of their huge hits, “Reach Out, I’ll Be There.” The original Four Top members united in 1953 and was fronted by Abdul “Duke” Fakir, Levi Stubbs, Renaldo “Obie” Benson and Lawrence Payton. Some of the more successful r&b bands of the 1960’s also included greats such as the Isley Brothers, The Temptations, and Jr. walker and the All Stars. The Four Tops’ smooth style was signature for the time that once again proved the rich and unforgettable music of one of the most crucial and complex times in our nation’s history.