George Rountree, The Four Tops’ Musical Director: 1950-2011

The Detroit Free Press reported today that George Rountree, the musical director behind the Motown legends the Four Tops has died at 61 in Las Vegas.

Rountree, who usually just went by “Tree,” arranged and composed music and also played keyboard for the group. The Four Tops were famous for hits like “Bernadette” and “Baby I Need Your Lovin’.”

You can watch an interview with Rountree below via the Grand Strand Show.