Abdul “Duke” Fakir, the last original member of the Four Tops, the Motown legends known for hits like “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)”, has passed away at the age of 88.
The Detroit Free Press, citing his family, reported that Fakir died of heart failure at his home in Detroit.
“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 family said in a statement to the paper.
“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.”
The Four Tops’ sound was fundamental to 1960s pop music, and their additional hits included “Baby I Need Your Lovin'”, “Reach Out, I’ll Be There”, “It’s The Same Old Song”, and “Standing In the Shadows of Love.”
The group, who achieved great success collaborating with the renowned songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, with Stevie Wonder introducing them into the pantheon.
Born in Detroit on 26 December 1935, Fakir sang first tenor. Originally founded as the Four Aims, the group comprised Fakir, Levi Stubbs, Renaldo “Obie” Benson, and Lawrence Payton. They performed together for over 40 years, from 1953 to 1997. Between 1997 and 2005, Stubbs, Benson, and Payton passed away.
Fakir continued performing with new vocalists for many years until medical issues forced him to stop in late 2023.
“I’m not going to ever retire,” he wrote in his 2022 memoir. “The Lord can retire me, but I’m not going into the dark night quietly. I know I’m not in the fourth quarter anymore.”
“I’m in overtime.”