At the age of 88, Abdul “Duke,” the last member of the Four Tops, passed away at his home in Detroit due to heart failure. He was the only member of the band to still be alive.
There has been a passing of Abdul “Duke” Fakir, who was the last original member of the Four Tops. He was 88 years old.
In the early hours of Monday morning in Detroit, Michigan, Fakir passed away from heart failure while he was accompanied by his wife and other loved ones, as stated in a news statement.
“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,” according to a statement released by his family. Our hearts are sad as we mourn the passing of a pioneer, icon, and music legend who, over his seventy-year career in music, impacted the lives of a great number of people. He continued to tour until the end of 2023, and he finally retired this year. As the last surviving original member of the legendary music group The Four Tops, we take comfort in the fact that Duke’s legacy will continue to be carried on via his music for many years to come for future generations.
Private services will be provided. An announcement on the specifics of a public celebration of Fakir’s life and legacy will be made at a later time. As an alternative to sending flowers, memorial contributions may be donated to The Motown Museum in honor of Fakir.
Fakir is most well-known for his work as the first tenor vocalist for the Four Tops, which is one of the most popular and best-selling groups in Motown’s history. In the 1950s, Fakir, Levi Stubbs, Renaldo “Obie” Benson, and Lawrence Payton were the individuals who were responsible for the formation of the group. After having 24 songs that reached the top 40 of the pop charts, the Four Tops were elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the year 1990. They were instrumental in defining the pop period of the 1960s. Some of the tracks that have been successful include “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” and “Baby I Need Your Loving,” amongst hundreds of others.
It has left me in a state of profound sorrow to learn of the demise of Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir, a unique and beloved member of our Motown family. Berry Gordy, the creator of Motown, said in a statement that Duke was the only member of the original Four Tops to have survived. “The showmanship, class, and artistry that they displayed, along with Levi Stubbs, Lawrence Payton, and Obie Benson, never failed to amaze me,” Gordy added.
He went on to say, “Duke was the first tenor; he was smooth, suave, and it was always sharp.” Over the course of seven decades, he ensured that the incredible heritage of the Four Tops was preserved, and in all of those years, other from the most recent one, he never missed a concert. I have the utmost gratitude for all that he done for the Four Tops, for Motown, and for me. I would like to express my deepest condolences to his wife, Piper, his children, the members of the Four Tops who are now performing, as well as to other members of his family and friends. The loss of Duke will be profound, and he will forever be an important contributor to the Motown heritage.
“Motown Sound” was fashioned by the Four Tops, who were once known as the Four Aims. The foursome maintained their original lineup until loss interfered. In the years 1997 to 2008, three members passed away due to cancer. The recording process proceeded for Fakir, and he continued to travel until the end of 2023. During this time, he was also recruiting more vocalists to round up the ranks of the ensemble. Until he formally retired this year, he was the one responsible for maintaining their legacy.
In response to Fakir’s passing, Smokey Robinson issued a statement, which read as follows: “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 you were here.” Brother, I am going to miss you very much. I pray that you have the most lovely eternity. Known as Smokey, your brother.
During the year 2022, Fakir published his biography titled “I’ll Be There,” which provided a comprehensive account of his life as a Four Top and his ascent to fame and celebrity.
His wife, Piper Fakir, whom he had been married to for fifty years, his children Farah Fakir Cook, Nazim Bashir Fakir, Abdul Kareem Fakir, Myke Fakir, Anthony Fakir, and Malik Robinson, his sister Elena Braceful, and thirteen grandkids and nine great-grandchildren are among those who are left behind after his passing. The year 2001 saw the passing of another of his children, Kai Ayne Fakir.