The Four Tops stand as one of the longest-lasting line-ups in pop history. Their original cast of Levi Stubbs Jr., Renaldo 'Obie' Benson, Lawrence Payton, and Abdul 'Duke' Fakir formed in 1953, while still in high school. The band remained unchanged until the death of Lawrence Payton on 20 June, 1997. The band determined to carry on, and are now known as The Tops.