Abdul “Duke” Fakir, the last surviving member of the renowned Motown group the Four Tops, passed away at the age of 88. Known for their distinctive R&B sound, the group achieved fame with hits such as “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” and “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch).”
Fakir died of heart failure on Monday, 22 July, at his home in Detroit, Michigan, surrounded by his loved ones including his wife, according to a family spokesperson.
In a statement released by the family, they expressed profound sorrow: “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a trailblazer, icon, and music legend who touched the lives of so many through his 70-year music career.”
Throughout his life, Fakir was married twice, with his second marriage lasting 50 years to Piper Gibson. He is survived by six of his seven children.
Reflecting on the legacy of the Four Tops in 2021, Fakir spoke of his dedication to preserving their musical heritage: “As each one of them [the original members] passed, a little bit of me left with them,” he shared with UK Music Reviews. “I found myself in a quandary as to what I was going to do from that moment on, but after a while I realised that the name together with the legacy that they had left us simply had to carry on, and judging by the audience reaction it soon became pretty evident that I did the right thing and I really do feel good about that.”
Abdul “Duke” Fakir’s death marks the end of an era for the Four Tops, leaving behind a rich musical legacy cherished by fans worldwide.
