Levi Stubbs, lead singer of legendary Motown band The Four Tops, has died at his home in Detroit, aged 72. The singer, who had suffered ill-health for several years, died in his sleep.

Abdul Fakir is the only surviving original member of the group, which has sold more than 50 million records. Founding members Lawrence Payton and Obie Benson died in 1997 and 2005 respectively.

The Detroit band became one of Motown Records' biggest successes, scoring hits including 'Bernadette' and 'Reach Out (I'll Be There)'. Audley Smith of the Motown Historical Museum said Stubbs had a voice as unique as Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson or Stevie Wonder.

"[He] fits right up there with all the icons of Motown," he said.

Stubbs was born in 1936 in Detroit and met Abdul 'Duke' Fakir at high school. They met Payton and Benson while singing at a mutual friend's birthday party. In 1953, they formed a group called The Four Aims and signed a deal with Chess Records. Later they changed their name to the Four Tops to avoid being confused with the Ames Brothers.

The group signed with Motown Records in 1963 and produced 20 top-40 hits over the following 10 years, making music history with other acts in Berry Gordy's Motown stable.

Stubbs is survived by his wife Clineice, five children and 11 grandchildren.