June 23 [10:00 EDT] -- Lawrence Payton of Motown Records soul artists the Four Tops reportedly died Friday of liver cancer at the age of 59.

The Associated Press reports that Payton finally succumbed to the disease that had prevented him from performing with his bandmates in recent years.

The Four Tops, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, crafted a lengthy and prolific career that saw the band sell more than 50 million records with its rich vocal harmonies. The group¹s impressive run began on Motown Records in 1964 with "Baby I Need Your Loving," and went on to include the hits "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)," "Reach Out I'll Be There," and "River Deep, Mountain High."

After the group's primary success in the 60s and early 70s, the band scored a comeback hit in 1981 with "When She Was My Girl," and continued to chart in the United Kingdom through the 80s.