Henry Fambrough, the last surviving original member of the Spinners, the iconic R&B group whose hits include “It’s a Shame,” “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” and “The Loverband Man.” He died on Wednesday. the group said. He was 85 years old.
Fambrough died peacefully of natural causes at her home in Northern Virginia, publicist Tanisha Jackson said in a statement.
The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November.
In addition to Fambrough, Billy Henderson, Pervis Jackson, Bobby Smith, Philip Wynn, and John Edwards were nominated for induction into the Hall of Fame.
Last May, Fambrough took a tour of Motown’s Studio A in Detroit as part of a ceremony that included donating 375 costumes worn by the group during its performances to the Motown Museum.
“It was a long time ago,” Fambrough said of the 1960s, when he first entered the studio. “I’ve been dreaming about this place.”
He told reporters that he had to convince his wife that the studio was the place to go for 3 a.m. rehearsals and recording sessions with other members of the group.
Motown’s first big hit was “It’s a Shame,” which peaked at number 14 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in 1970.
The Spinners later signed with Atlantic Records and had a string of hits, including “Then Came You,” which featured singer Dionne Warwick and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974.
Their songs have been nominated for six Grammy Awards and have earned 18 platinum and gold albums.
Originally called The Domingos, the group was formed in 1954 in Ferndale, just north of Detroit. The Spinners joined Motown Records ten years later.
Mr. Fambrough’s survivors include his wife of 52 years, Norma, and his daughter, Heather Williams.
