Four Tops musical leader Rountree dies at 61

[November 02, 2011]  LAS VEGAS (AP) -- A key behind-the-scenes associate of the famed Motown quartet the Four Tops, George Rountree, has died. He was 61.

The Sun reports (http://bit.ly/rCPHOW) Rountree, who worked as the group's musical director for more than 30 years, died Sunday in a Las Vegas hospital.

Rountree, known simply as Tree, also performed other roles for the group, including arranger, composer and keyboardist.

Rountree, a Detroit native, performed with some of the music industry's biggest stars, including the Temptations, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Mary Wilson, Martha Reeves, Frankie Valli, Bill Withers, Freda Payne and David Ruffin.

[Associated Press]

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