Four Tops Co-Founder Abdul 'Duke' Fakir Dies

Abdul “Duke” Fakir, the last surviving original member of the iconic Motown group the Four Tops, has died at the age of 88 from heart failure at his home in Detroit. Fakir co-founded the Four Tops in 1953 and was renowned for his smooth tenor vocals, contributing to hits like “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” and “Reach Out, I’ll Be There.” Throughout his 70-year career, he continued to tour with the group until 2023, even after the deaths of his bandmates Levi Stubbs, Lawrence Payton, and Renaldo Benson. The Four Tops, who gained immense popularity in the 1960s, were pivotal in the Motown sound, producing a legacy of songs filled with themes of love and heartbreak. Fakir's family released a statement mourning the loss of a music legend while highlighting how his legacy will continue through his music. He is survived by four children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.