Abdul “Duke” Fakir, the last surviving member of the legendary Motown group The Four Tops, has passed away at the age of 88. Fakir died at his home in Detroit from heart failure, his family confirmed on Monday.
The Four Tops, known for classic hits such as Reach Out I’ll Be There and Baby I Need Your Loving, became one of the most iconic bands of the Motown era after forming in the late 1950s. Fakir, along with Levi Stubbs, Renaldo “Obie” Benson, and Lawrence Payton, found success in the early 1960s and continued to play together until Payton’s death in 1997. Benson and Stubbs passed away in 2005 and 2008, respectively.
Fakir’s family released a statement mourning the loss of the music legend, describing him as a trailblazer and icon whose music touched the lives of many. They highlighted his 70-year music career and his recent retirement in 2023.
Stevie Wonder, who inducted The Four Tops into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, praised the group for their professionalism, fun-loving nature, and gentlemanly demeanor. Fakir, the child of Ethiopian and Bangladeshi immigrants, grew up in a tough neighborhood in Detroit but found solace in music.
Singer Smokey Robinson, a longtime friend of Fakir, expressed his sadness at the news of his passing, saying, “My brother, I really hate to have to say goodbye, but you’ve been called home by the Father to once again join Lawrence, Obie, and Levi and make more of the heavenly music you guys made while here.”
In 2022, Fakir released a memoir titled I’ll Be There: My Life With the Four Tops, chronicling his experiences with the group. He is survived by his wife, six children, 13 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the music industry.
