The Spinners star Henry Fambrough, the last original surviving member of the famed R&B and soul group, has passed away.
Fambrough died in his Virginia home on Wednesday, February 7th, of natural causes. The singer had spent a month in hospice care for an undisclosed illness. Many were unaware of Fambrough’s declining health, as he recently made an appearance just months ago at the Spinners’ Rock Hall induction ceremony in November. Fambrough officially retired from the group in 2023.
“He got to experience those accolades. He was able to bask in the accomplishment, and that was something he was really happy about,” the Spinners spokesperson Tanisha Jackson shared in a statement to the Detroit Free-Press. “He was glad to represent the ones who had gone before him.”
Fambrough played a pivotal role in the formation of the vocal group back in 1954 alongside bandmates Pervis Jackson, Billy Henderson, Bobby Smith, and C.P. Spencer. The men went on to land a record deal with Tri-Phi Records and gave the world classics such as “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love,” “One of a Kind (Love Affair),” “Games People Play,” “The Rubberband Man,” and “Working My Back to You,” to name a few. The Spinners have been nominated for several notable awards, including six Grammy nods.
Fambrough is survived by his wife of 52 years, Norma, his daughter Heather Williams, son-in-law Ronald, sister Martha, and a string of other loved ones. He was 85 years old.
