Alexander Morris (singer)
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Joseph Alexander Morris II, publicly known as Alexander Morris is an African-American singer, songwriter and producer. Alexander is best known as the lead singer of the Motown Records and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, the Four Tops. The Four Tops, founded by the late Levi Stubbs and last surviving member Abdul “Duke” Fakir began their career in 1954 in the city of Detroit, Michigan. Prior to their name change, the Four Tops were known as the Four Aims until they were signed to Motown Records by its founder, Berry Gordy. Alexander Morris was placed as the new lead singer in January 2019, after the departure of Harold “Spike” Bonhart, who served as lead singer with the group for eight years.[1]
Early life[edit]
Alexander was born in the city of Royal Oak, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, on April 18, 1971. He was born to the Late Bishop Joseph A. Morris, a prominent pastor in the city Detroit and Mrs. Betty Lou Morris (January) a famed gospel singer from Springfield, Ohio. He was reared in the Pentecostal church, learning to sing through the guidance of his mother, who also was the choir directress at their home church Gethsemane Apostolic Church of God, as well as holding national position over the international Ministers Wives Choir of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.
Career[edit]
Beginning by playing drums for his fathers church Alexander honed his singing, arranging and performance abilities in both the local and National church. In 1992 Alexander would begin to travel back and forth to Los Angeles to spend time with his cousin Jimmy Abney. Through Abney he met producer Keith Crouch, founder of Human Rhythm Productions. Morris became affiliated with Human Rhythm for several years until he returned back to Detroit and partnered with childhood friend Charles “Ollie” Harris. The two friends created their own production company named Collab Unit, and after successfully writing and producing a demo of songs for a female group, were introduced and then signed by L.L. Cool J and his Rock the Bells label imprint through Warner Brothers Music. Alexander as Harris were responsible for the majority of the songs written and released by Rock the Bells artist as well as being apart of several Movie Soundtracks beginning with Deep Blue Sea starring LL Cool J. Alexander simultaneously worked as a producer and served first as the co-pastor of his fathers church until his death, and then founding his own ministry in Detroit. Over the course of the next 10 to 15 years Alexander wrote, arranged and produced songs for many major artists and productions.
In 2018 after 19 years living in Los Angeles, Alexander returned to Detroit with his family and soon met an old acquaintance from 27 years prior, Turhan Terrell, the son of the late Funk Brothers founder and pianist Earl Van Dyke Sr. and the biological nephew of Abdul Duke Fakir. In the fall of 2018 by a chance meeting at a recording studio he met Four Tops members Lawrence Payton Jr. and Ronnie McNeir. During this recording session Alexander was asked to sing backing vocals on a McNeir penned song which led to a meeting with Fakir. On December 17, 2018 Alexander received a call from the Tops organization and was informed that he was chosen to sing as lead vocalist for the legendary group. On January 4, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Hardrock Hotel and Casino Resorts venue named “The Joint”, Alexander performed his first show with the Four Tops, and since has been well received by fans and supporters of the legendary group the World over.
References[edit]
- ↑ "Motown Magic". AP NEWS. 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
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