Abdul “Duke” Fakir, The Last Original Member Of Iconic Motown Group The Four Tops, Passes Away At Age 88

Duke Fakir, a talented singer who upheld the Four Tops’ musical heritage for over seventy years, passed away at his residence in Detroit on Monday morning due to heart failure. He was 88-years-old.

Fakir, who lived in Detroit his entire life, was the final surviving member of the popular Motown group, following the deaths of his childhood buddies and bandmates Lawrence Payton, Obie Benson, and Levi Stubbs. As a member of the Four Tops, Fakir contributed his vocals to numerous hit songs over the years, particularly during the 1960s. Some of the group’s most famous tracks from that era, such as “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” “It’s the Same Old Song,” “Bernadette,” “Standing in the Shadows of Love,” and their acclaimed 1966 hit “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” all featured Fakir’s voice.

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“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a trailblazer, icon and music legend who, through his 70-year music career, touched the lives of so many as he continued to tour until the end of 2023, and officially retired this year,” the Fakir family said in a statement.  “As the last living founding member of the iconic Four Tops music group, we find solace in Duke’s legacy living on through his music for generations to come.”

After the passing of his fellow group members, an emotional Duke Fakir continued to honor the legacy of the Four Tops by maintaining the group’s name, recruiting new members, and consistently touring with the band to deliver their dynamic and polished stage performances. The memories of his late group mates were still poignant for Fakir, evoking tears even years after their deaths.

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Over the years, Duke Fakir was a familiar presence in Detroit, often seen at various public events, ribbon-cuttings, and television commercials, exuding charisma and always impeccably dressed. As one of the few remaining original Motown stars residing in the city in recent times, Fakir maintained his connection to the local community and continued to be a prominent figure in the Detroit scene.

“All four of the Tops were fine, handsome men and sang with champion voices,” said fellow Motown artist Martha Reeves. “Duke had one of the sweetest tenor voices you could hear. You could distinguish him in the harmony, that operatic voice in the background. The Four Tops were the gentlemen of the groups at Motown — and they were the A singers of the Motown team.”

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