Matt just reminded me that the Four Tops did "Bernadette." And whenever I think of that song (which still kills it after all these generations), I think of the first time I heard it, in the 1990 John Larroquette-Kirstie Alley movie "Madhouse." (Yeah, I can't believe I saw/remember it either.) And whaddya know, YouTube has the clip. Like I said in the title, it may not be the best way to pay tribute to Levi Stubbs. (Apparently, Billy Bragg had us all beat years ago.) But it just shows that Levi and the Tops could inject some much-needed soul in even the most mediocre of movies. (Just look at those white dudes automatically get rhythm when the song plays!)

A fond farewell to Levi Stubbs, gravel-voiced leader of the Four Tops, who died at home in Detroit today. Even when serving as the voice of a bloodthirsty plant, Stubbs was one of Motown's most distinctive voices -- and also the subject of one of my favorite tribute songs of the past quarter-century.

ADDENDUM (10/19/08): Nice remembrance.