The Four Tops lead singer said he was put in a straitjacket and ordered a psychological exam at a hospital after refusing to believe he was part of the world-famous group Motown.
Alexander Morris is the current lead singer of the legendary combo after joining in 2019.
After suffering chest and breathing problems in April of last year, he went to Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Warren, Detroit, for help.
However, he claimed that the hospital staff refused to believe that he really was the famous singer, thinking instead that he was mentally ill.
Morris, a black man, has since filed a lawsuit against the hospital, alleging racial discrimination and other misconduct, after staff, he claimed, put him in a straitjacket and ordered a psychological exam.
The 53-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with “clear symptoms of heart failure” and was given oxygen, according to the federal lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Michiganreports NBC News, US partner of Sky News.
However, Morris informed a nurse and a security guard in the emergency room that he was part of the famous vocal quartet because he feared safety concerns from potential stalkers or fans, but they did not believe him.
Instead, a doctor ordered a psychological evaluation and he was restrained for at least an hour and a half, the lawsuit says.
From left to right: Roquel Payton, Alexander Morris, Ronnie McNeir and Duke Fakir of the Four Tops perform at the All In Music & Arts Festival in 2022
In a statement released by his lawyers, Morris said: “It was a terrifying experience to be in the middle of a medical emergency, to be restrained, to have my oxygen cut off, to have my personal belongings taken from me, and to have no help.” from doctors and nurses because of the color of my skin.
“Racial discrimination almost cost me my life.”
The lawsuit adds that Morris had a “known significant history of heart disease” and the alleged racial discrimination delayed his hospital treatment.
Morris asked if he could prove his identity to staff by showing his ID card, but the white security guard ordered him to “sit his black ass down,” the lawsuit says.
It also alleges that Morris was ignored when he told staff members he was struggling to breathe and asked for his oxygen to be returned, and when he asked for his belongings back so he could seek treatment at another hospital.
The confusion was only cleared up when Morris’ wife arrived and saw what was happening, the lawsuit says.
After she told security officers that Morris really was a famous Motown singer, a nurse went to his side and he showed her a video of him performing at the Grammys, the lawsuit says.
Only then, according to the legal action, was the straitjacket removed and the singer’s oxygen returned.
It adds that the hospital offered Morris a $25 (£19.50) gift card as an apology, but he refused to accept it.
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Morris is now seeking more than $75,000 (£58,600) in damages in a jury trial.
The Four Tops started in the 1950s and have had hits such as Baby, I Need Your Loving, I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) and It’s The Same Old Song.
They have since been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and have had a changing cast over the years.
In a statement, the hospital said: “We remain committed to honoring human dignity and acting with integrity and compassion for all people and the community.
“We do not tolerate racial discrimination of any kind. We will not comment on pending litigation.”
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