The Spinners founder Henry Fambrough has died, aged 85

9 February 2024, 12:29

The last surviving member of The Spinners, Henry Fambrough, has died.

A founder of the legendary R&B group, Henry Fambrough has died aged 85 according to a statement made by his family.

In he statement made by the Fambrough family, he died of natural causes on 7th February 2024 in his North Virginia home, having been admitted to a hospice in January.

After forming the vocal group The Domingoes in 1954 alongside Billy Henderson, Pervis Jackson, C.P. Spencer and James Edwards, they eventually evolved into The Spinners in 1961.

• Motown's top 20 songs, ranked
• When Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and more paid an all-star tribute to a late Motown legend
• Motown founder Berry Gordy announces retirement at 89: 'I have come full circle'
• Listen to Gold's new Soul and Motown Show every Saturday night!

Edwards and Spencer were replaced by George Dixon and Bobby Smith, the latter of which would sing lead vocals on the majority of their hits.

Having signed to Berry Gordy's Motown Records during the 1960s, it wasn't until they left to re-sign for Atlantic Records that they peaked in terms of commercial success.

The Spinners went on to record a string of hit records including 'I'll Be Around', 'It's A Shame', 'Could It Be I'm Falling In Love' and 'The Rubberband Man'.

Henry Fambrough had retired from the iconic R&B group last year, but thankfully lived to see The Spinners inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.

Their career in music was also celebrated at the Motown Museum in Detroit, with a series of events hosted across a weekend last year.

After finding out about The Spinners' induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Fambrough told Billboard: "It feels great. It really does, I just wish all the other guys were here to see it. It really is a great honour."

It was tinged with sadness that he was the only original member of the group to live to see their induction.

"But you have to carry on, you have to keep going. If you’re nominated, at least you know someone is thinking about you."

It's A Shame

The Spinners received various accolades over the course of their lifetime as a group, receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1976 and an induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.

Following the death of Henry Fambrough, The Spinners' spokesperson Tanisha also released a statement on the band's behalf:

"He got to experience those accolades. He was able to bask in the accomplishment, and that was something he was really happy about. He was glad to represent the ones who had gone before him."

Jessie Pack - who joined The Spinners in 2008 - added: "As a vocalist, he had a voice that never wavered. It never diminished through the years — it was still as smooth as butter."

"As a performer, he was always consistent. He set the standard for the rest of us about how the Spinners should be: always on point, with every step."