Four Tops singer Duke Fakir dies at 88: The last surviving original member of the classic Motown group passed away from heart failure TWO DAYS after retiring

Duke Fakir, the final surviving original member of the Motown icons the Four Tops, has died at the age of 88.

Fakir died at his home in Detroit, Michigan, on Monday morning, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The singer reportedly died from heart failure.

Fakir was part of the group's biggest hits, including the Billboard Hot 100 chart toppers I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch), which spent two nonconsecutive weeks in the top spot in 1965, and the 1966 hit Reach Out I'll Be There, which also spent two weeks at the top.

His death follows the death of his three former bandmates: Lawrence Payton, Obie Benson and Levi Stubbs.

Duke Fakir, the final surviving original member of the Motown icons the Four Tops, has died at the age of 88; pictured in February 2023 in Los Angeles

The singer (pictured second to right circa 1965) reportedly died from heart failure, follows the death of his three former bandmates: Obie Benson (L), Levi Stubbs (second to left) and Lawrence Payton (R)

'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,' his family said in a statement to the Detroit Free Press. '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.' 

In a statement to the paper, fellow Motown legend Smokey Robinson addressed the late Fakir. 

'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,' Robinson said. 'I'm gonna miss you, my brother. Have the most wonderful eternity.'

Martha and the Vandellas singer Martha Reeves, who was part of a wave of hit-making Motown groups when the Four Tops were at the top of their game, spoke to the paper about Fakir. 

'All four of the Tops were fine, handsome men and sang with champion voices,' she said. 'Duke had one of the sweetest tenor voices you could hear. You could distinguish him in the harmony, that operatic voice in the background.

'The Four Tops were the gentlemen of the groups at Motown — and they were the A singers of the Motown team,' she added.

Motown founder Berry Gordy also remembered Fakir in a statement. 

'I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Abdul “Duke” Fakir, a special member of our Motown family,' he said, adding that the Four Tops 'amazed me with their showmanship, class and artistry.'

The Detroit Free Press noted that Fakir continued to live in Detroit in his twilight years, and he was one of the last remaining Motown giants who still called the Motor City home

Fakir (second to right) sang the first tenor line in the Four Tops. Tenors are traditionally lead vocalists, but Fakir joined Payton and Benson in singing backup to baritone Levi Stubbs (L) on lead; pictured in 1981 in Chicago

He praised the late singer for keeping 'the Four Tops’ remarkable legacy intact,' and he said that over all those decades, Fakir 'never missed a performance, until just recently. 

'I so appreciate all he did for the Four Tops, for Motown and for me,' Gordy said, adding that 'Duke will be greatly missed, and will always be a significant part of the Motown legacy.'

Fakir (born Abdul Kareem Fakir) sang the first tenor line in the Four Tops.

Although tenors are traditionally lead vocalists in similar groups, Fakir joined Payton and Benson in singing backup to baritone Levi Stubbs on lead vocals.

As the other members died or left the group, he continued performing as the Four Tops with new replacement singers over the years. 

Other hits from the group included Bernadette, It's The Same Old Song and Standing In The Shadows of Love.

The group had a comeback hit in 1981 with When She Was My Girl, which topped the R&B charts and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

That decade saw the Four Tops, after renewing their commercial fortunes, set out on joint tours with fellow Motown icons The Temptations.

As the other members died or left the group, he continued performing as the Four Tops with new replacement singers over the years; original members Payton (L) and Fakir (R) joined by Alex Morris (2nd to left) and Ronnie McNeir (2nd to right) in 2023 in LA

Martha Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas said: 'Duke had one of the sweetest tenor voices you could hear. You could distinguish him in the harmony, that operatic voice in the background,' adding that the Four Tops (seen in 1967) were 'the gentlemen of ... Motown'

The group formed back in 1953, when Fakir and Stubbs, who went to high school together, performed with two other singers — Benson and Payton — from a rival high school at a birthday party.

The success of the gig led the quartet to decide to stick together, first as the Four Aims, then later as the Four Tops when they signed with Chess Records in 1956.

The group shuffled between labels without much success, and it wasn't until signing with Motown in 1963 that they began to notch hits on the R&B and pop charts.

From 1964 to 1967, the Four Tops scored 11 Top 20 hits and two chart-topping singles.

Many of the groups biggest hits, including I Can't Help Myself and Reach Out I'll Be There were written by the songwriting and production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, which was comprised of composers Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier with Eddie Holland writing lyrics and all three producing.

The group's hits were less frequent in the 1970s after they ceased working with the Holland–Dozier–Holland team, though their commercial fortunes were resuscitated in the 1980s.

In the early 1970s, the Four Tops joined up with The Supremes after Diana Ross had left the group under the name The Magnificent 7.

By the end of the 1980s, the group was primarily working as an oldies act focusing on high-energy live shows.

The group formed in 1953 after performing at a birthday party, and they changed their name from the Four Aims to the Four Tops when signing with Chess Records in 1956; pictured in 1965

The group shuffled between labels without success, and it wasn't until signing with Motown in 1963 that the hits piled up. From 1964 to 1967, they had 11 Top 20 hits and two chart-topping singles; pictured in 1964

The Detroit Free Press noted that Fakir continued to live in Detroit in his twilight years, and he was one of the last remaining Motown giants who still called the Motor City home. 

Original member Payton died in 1997 from liver cancer. Benson died in 2005 from lung cancer, and Stubbs passed away in 2008. 

Fakir is survived by his wife, Piper Fakir, his daughter Farah Fakir Cook, and his sons Nazim Bashir Fakir, Anthony Fakir, Abdul Kareem Fakir Jr., Myke Fakir and Malik Robinson. His daughter Kai Ayne preceded him in death.

He also had 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.