{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Abdul “Duke” Fakir, a member of the Motown group Four Tops, died Monday in Detroit, Michigan, his son confirmed to Fox News Digital. He was 88.
The acclaimed singer died of heart failure. His wife Piper and loved ones were by his side at the time of his death.
Fakir was the last surviving original member of the Detroit vocal quartet and was known for propelling the Motown label into one of the most successful pop groups of the 1960s.
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Abdul “Duke” Fakir, a founding member of the band Four Tops, died Monday at the age of 88. (Getty Images)
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved husband of 50 years, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and forever Four Tops, Abdul Kareem Fakir, better known as Duke,” his family said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
“As the last living founding member of the iconic music group The Four Tops, we find comfort in Duke’s legacy that lives on through his music for generations to come.”
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a pioneer, icon and musical legend who, over his 70-year musical career, touched the lives of so many as he continued to tour through the end of 2023, and officially retired this year.”
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They added: “As the last living founding member of the iconic music group The Four Tops, we find comfort in Duke’s legacy that lives on through his music for generations to come.”
The Four Tops were originally nicknamed the “Four Aims” before changing their name in the 1950s. (Getty Images)
Between 1964 and 1967, the Four Tops had 11 Top 20 hits and two No. 1 singles. (Family estate of Duke Fakir)
Smokey Robinson issued a statement on Fakir’s death: “My brother, I really hate to say goodbye, but you have been called home by the Father to once again join Lawrence, Obey and Levi and make more of the heavenly music you have made while you have been here. I will miss you my brother. Have the most wonderful eternity. Your brother, Smokey.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Four Tops were known for their hits “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” and “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” Duke co-founded the group in the 1950s with Levi Stubbs, Renaldo “Obie” Benson and Lawrence Payton.
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Originally dubbed the “Four Aims,” they changed their name after signing with Chess Records in 1956. Between 1964 and 1967, they had 11 Top 20 hits and two No. 1 singles.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The group performed together for more than four decades without personnel changes and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
Fakir was the last surviving original member of the Four Tops. (Getty Images)
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“What I like most about them is that they’re very professional, they have fun in what they do, they’re very affectionate, they’ve always been gentlemen,” Stevie Wonder said when the Four Tops were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fakir was reportedly working on a Broadway musical based on their lives and completed the memoir “I’ll Be There,” in 2022, which detailed his life as a Four Top and his journey to fame and glory.
He was married twice and is survived by his wife of 50 years, Piper Gibson. Fakir also had seven children, six of whom survived him.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Larry Fink of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
