Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir, Last Remaining Member of the Four Tops, Dead at 88

Abdul “Duke” Fakir, the last founding member of the Four Tops, has died. He was 88.

Fakir died of heart failure surrounded by his wife and loved ones early Monday in Detroit, Michigan, according to a press release.
 
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our loving husband of 50 years, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and forever Four Tops, Abdul Kareem Fakir, better known as Duke,” his family said in a statement. “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. As the last living founding member of the iconic The Four Tops music group, we find solace in Duke’s legacy living on through his music for generations to come.”

Services will be private. Details for a public celebration of Fakir’s life and legacy will be announced later. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fakir’s honor to The Motown Museum. 

Fakir is best known for singing first tenor with the Four Tops, one of Motown’s best-selling and most beloved groups. Fakir co-founded the group in the ’50s along with Levi Stubbs, Renaldo “Obie” Benson and Lawrence Payton. The Four Tops helped define the 1960s era of pop and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, with 24 Top 40 pop hits to their credit. Hit singles include “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “Baby I Need Your Loving,” and many others. 

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir, a special member of our Motown family. Duke was the last surviving member of the original Four Tops, who along with Levi Stubbs, Lawrence Payton and Obie Benson, always amazed me with their showmanship, class and artistry,” Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, said in a statement. 

He continued, “Duke was first tenor — smooth, suave, and always sharp. For 70 years, he kept the Four Tops’ remarkable legacy intact, and in all those years, he never missed a performance, until just recently. I so appreciate all he did for the Four Tops, for Motown and for me. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his wife, Piper, his children, the current members of the Four Tops, as well as, family members and friends. Duke will be greatly missed, and will always be a significant part of the Motown legacy.”

Originally called the Four Aims, the Four Tops shaped “Motown Sound” and the quartet retained their original lineup until death intervened. From 1997 to 2008, three members died of cancer. Fakir continued to record, and he was touring until the end of 2023, all the while taking on new singers to fill out the group’s ranks. He was the keeper of their legacy until he officially retired this year.

Smokey Robinson provided a statement on Fakir’s death, 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, Obey, and Levi and make more of the heavenly music you guys made while here. I’m gonna miss you my brother. Have the most wonderful eternity. Your Brother, Smokey.”

In 2022, Fakir released his memoir I’ll Be There, which detailed his life as a Four Top and the journey of stardom and fame.

He is survived by his wife, Piper Fakir, of 50 years; his children, Farah Fakir Cook, Nazim Bashir Fakir, Abdul Kareem Fakir, Myke Fakir, Anthony Fakir and Malik Robinson; a sister, Elena Braceful; and 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Another of his children, Kai Ayne Fakir, died in 2001.

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