I watched the top Motown hits thing on ITV and it's been bugging me for some time. Did Levi go to prison in the late 70's? I'm sure I went to see The Tops in Manchester just after he got out but I can find no record of it on the net. Maybe it's something to do with Google having to erase history for rehabilitation of offenders or maybe I'm just getting to that age where memories invent themselves. I have the greatest respect for Levi and mean no harm by asking this question. Anyone else with similar memory of this event?

Can't remember ever hearing that.

 

He's so well known I'm sure it would be so well documented if he had.

 

Recorded "One Chain (Don't Make No Prison)" around '74 in case that's put a seed of something in yer head

I've never heard of him going to prison either?

No I don't think he did. They recorded right through and he always seemed to be on lead.

Levi Stubbs was arrested on a tour of the UK ....for drugs and fire arms offences. About 1970/71 I think.

He was released, without charges as I recall. But I don't think he was ever imprisoned.

March 1970....Mayfair Hotel, London...arrested for possession of cocaine and 12 rounds of ammunition. Later acquitted at Inner London Sessions for drug charge, small fine for ammunition.

After reading this thread just had to spin a few tops tracks.

Stubbs was a truly gifted singer.

Levi went " Loco in Acapulco" but pretty sure he didn't get arrested for it!

 

He also said "One chain don't make no Prison" so unless he had insight or was on the run........

 

 

I'll get me coat

 

Dave.

After reading this thread just had to spin a few tops tracks.

Stubbs was a truly gifted singer.

The greatest male vocalist ever in my very humble opinion.

 

Steve

March 1970....Mayfair Hotel, London...arrested for possession of cocaine and 12 rounds of ammunition. Later acquitted at Inner London Sessions for drug charge, small fine for ammunition.

Why did he do it? The ammo?

The greatest male vocalist ever in my very humble opinion.

 

Steve

Yep

Here's a couple of little articles from the Times Newspaper of 12th & 13th March 1970. (click to enlarge)

 

There doesn't seem to be any report of Levi's court appearance.

 

 

Why did he do it? The ammo?

Still Waters Run Deep eh?

Why did he do it? The ammo?

 

He couldn't help himself.

I have never heard anything to suggest that he did go to prison in the late seventies. The only thing I can think of that might even remotely hint that there could be something in this, is that the group didn't record anything in 1979 or 1980.

Ooh, he's a bit naughtier than I thought, tho!

According to Sharon Davis' book, Levi claimed that the gun/ammunition was carried in the USA for safety/security reasons. 

Seem to a remember a bust for possession of cannabis in America too, back when lots of pop stars were getting busted. Not sure if he went to prison though.