Abdul “Duke” Fakir, the last surviving founding member of the Motown vocal group the Four Tops, has died. He was 88. A representative for the family said in a statement that Fakir died of heart failure on Monday.
“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,” Fakir’s 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.” Fakir was one of the tightly harmonized voices behind such indelible Motown hits like “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” and “Reach Out I’ll Be There.
” In their peak years between 1964-1967, the Four Tops had two No. 1 singles and 11 Top 20 hits on the Billboard singles charts. Motown peers who paid tribute to Fakir include label founder Berry Gordy, who said in a statement that “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir .
.. [the] first tenor — smooth, suave, and always sharp.
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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.” Gordy noted that the original Four Tops — Fakir, Levi St.