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Abdul “Duke” Fakir, the final surviving member of the iconic Motown group the Four Tops, passed away on Monday at his residence in Detroit. His family confirmed that the cause of death was heart failure. He was 88 years old.
Born in Detroit in 1935, Fakir’s musical journey began in high school, where he met Levi Stubbs, who would later become a core member of the Four Tops. They soon joined forces with Lawrence Payton and Renaldo “Obie” Benson. Initially, their group was named the Four Aims. However, after signing with Chess Records in 1956, they opted for a name change to avoid confusion with the Ames Brothers.
The Four Tops made their mark after signing with Motown in 1962. Their debut single under this label, “Baby I Need Your Loving,” released in 1964, was notable for its emotional resonance; Fakir once described it as his favorite song among their repertoire. The following year marked a major breakthrough for the group with their first #1 hit, “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch).” This was just the beginning, as their catalog continued to grow with hits like “Something About You,” the chart-topping “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “Shake Me, Wake Me (When It’s Over),” and “Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever.”
As one of Motown’s premier acts, the Four Tops maintained their original lineup for several decades. This continuity lasted until the passing of members Levi Stubbs, Renaldo Benson, and Lawrence Payton. In 2019, following the exit of replacement member Harold “Spike” Bonhart, the group saw the addition of Alex Morris. Just last week, it was reported that Fakir was retiring from public performances.
The group’s legacy was firmly established with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, a testament to their longstanding impact on music. They further enhanced their legacy by being voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and receiving a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. Recent reports indicated that Fakir was in the process of developing a Broadway musical centered around the story of the Four Tops. He also published a memoir, I’ll Be There, in 2022, reflecting on his extraordinary life in music.
Source
www.stereogum.com