(WWJ) The lead singer of the Four Tops is taking legal action after he says a Metro Detroit hospital restrained him and ordered a psychological exam, after refusing to believe that he was part of the Motown music group.
Alexander Morris filed a lawsuit yesterday against Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Warren, alleging racial discrimination and other misconduct during a visit last year for chest pain and breathing problems. The Associate Press reports the lawsuit claims hospital staff "wrongfully assumed that Morris was mentally ill when he revealed his identity as a celebrity figure."
Back in April of 2023, Morris said his wife called 911 when he began experiencing symptoms. When he arrived at the hospital, Morris told medical staff he was the lead singer for the Four Tops and expressed some security concerns.
According to Morris, staffers instead believed that Morris was experiencing a psychotic break, was lying about his identity, took away his personal items and ordered that he be put in a straight jacket. When Morris protested, he said a white male security guard told him to "sit his Black ass down" in front of doctors and nurses, who did nothing to help.
The ordeal ended after Morris' wife arrived and verified his identity.
"The Four Tops are currently on tour with the Temptations; yet, a hospital can deny my identity, my basic human dignity, put me in a straight-jacket, take away my personal property, tell me to sit my 'Black ass down' and refuse to let me leave the hospital so I can get treatment," Morris said in a statement.
"I refuse to be treated with indignity and rebuke racial injustice on behalf of the younger generation," he added.
The suit claims the hospital offered the singer a $25 Meijer gift card as an apology, but Morris refused to accept it.
The Four Tops, formed in the 1950s, is known for hits including “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)″ and “It’s The Same Old Song.” The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Morris is not an original member, having joined the vocal quartet in 2019.
The hospital says it "will not comment on pending litigation."