Abdul “Duke” Fakir, the last original member of the iconic Four Tops, passed away at 88. He died peacefully at his Detroit home, surrounded by family, due to heart failure. Fakir’s family released a statement mourning the loss of a trailblazer and music legend who toured until the end of 2023 and retired this year. “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,” his family stated.
A Legacy of Hits
Fakir’s career spanned seven decades, creating hits such as “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” and “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” The Four Tops were known for their polished performances and high-energy stage shows. Fellow Motown artist Martha Reeves praised the group’s harmonies and Fakir’s distinctive tenor. “Duke had one of the sweetest tenor voices you could hear,” Reeves said. “You could distinguish him in the harmony, that operatic voice in the background.”
Smokey Robinson also paid tribute to Fakir, 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. I’m going to miss you, my brother.”
Beginnings and Rise to Fame
Born Abdul Kareem Fakir, he found his love for music in church choirs and local performances. In 1953, Fakir and friends Lawrence Payton, Obie Benson, and Levi Stubbs formed the group, initially called the Four Aims. Their impromptu performances in Detroit’s street-corner doo-wop scene eventually led them to Motown Records in 1963. Fakir reflected on their early success, saying, “We all agreed as long as we stay together, we’d be as good or better than any group that had ever been.”
Under the guidance of Berry Gordy, the Four Tops achieved widespread fame. Their first hit, “Baby I Need Your Loving,” was followed by a series of successes with the songwriting-production team Holland-Dozier-Holland. Fakir once said, “We were seasoned pros by the time we got there.”
Abdul Fakir’s Final Years and Legacy
In recent years, Fakir worked on a memoir published in 2022 and planned a stage musical about the Four Tops. Despite the losses of his bandmates, Fakir kept the group’s name alive, recruiting new members and continuing to perform. His dedication to music and love for his hometown of Detroit remained strong. “Everything I’ve done — my music, my life, my family — comes from Detroit,” he said.
Fakir is survived by his wife, Piper Fakir, his children, 13 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. The family will hold private services and plan a public celebration of life.