Music
Henry Fambrough
1938–2024 · singer
Founding baritone of the Spinners, who sang with the group for 69 years, from its 1954 start in Ferndale until 2023.
- Born
Detroit, Michigan- Died
Sterling, Virginia
aged 85- Birth name
- Henry Lee Fambrough
- Detroit years
- 1938–1970s
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Fambrough was one of the Ferndale teenagers who formed the Domingoes in 1954, soon renamed the Spinners. Drafted in 1961, he returned two years later as the group signed with Motown, where hits were scarce for six years; in that period he even worked as a chauffeur for Berry Gordy's mother. In the group's 1970s peak on Atlantic he was one of its three lead voices with Philippé Wynne and Bobby Smith, singing "I Don't Want to Lose You", sharing leads on "Ghetto Child" and "Living a Little, Laughing a Little", and duetting with Dionne Warwick. He was the last original member from 2013 and the only Spinner to appear on every release. He retired in April 2023, a month before the group's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, and died in Virginia in 2024. His funeral was held in Detroit and he is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Highlights
- Founding member of the Spinners (1954–2023)
- Lead vocal on "I Don't Want to Lose You" (1975)
- Only Spinner featured on every release
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2023 with the Spinners
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 3
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Studied here · 1954
Lincoln High School
Status being checked
The Spinners were formed here in 1954 by schoolfriends.
Recorded here · 1963–1971
Motown Museum
The Spinners recorded their Motown singles here.
Buried here · 2024
Woodlawn Cemetery
His grave (per Wikidata).