As a teenager, Stubbs joined the R&B group The Falcons in 1957 and led them on several of their early hits, among them the million-seller, "You're So Fine" (1959), and "The Teacher" (1960).
[2] Stubbs also recorded a solo single for the Lu Pine label entitled "Keep On Loving Me", released in 1964.
Initial Originals singles did not chart, and much of their early time around Motown was spent providing backing vocals for other artists like Stevie Wonder and David Ruffin.
They would eventually find success under the guidance of Marvin Gaye, who co-wrote and produced their first big hit, "Baby, I'm For Real" in 1969, although Joe Stubbs had departed from the group shortly after their first single back in 1966.
The group found their biggest success with "Somebody's Been Sleeping", which reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was later certified gold.
A notable Stubbs-led 100 Proof song is the acclaimed deep soul classic, a cover of Luther Ingram's "Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One)", which also features a spoken word introduction by Stubbs.
[7] In addition, a rerecorded version of The Four Tops' hit "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" was released as a single in 1989, credited to "The Motorcity All-Stars", a group put together from as many former Motown singers as producer Ian Levine could assemble.
Joe called over his brother Levi, and they both feature on the recording, along with singers Marv Johnson, Sammy Ward, Cal Gill of The Velvelettes and C.P.