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Photo Credit: Jay Goodwin Fakir at the LBJ Presidential Library in 2019. |
Fakir died of heart failure at his home in Detroit, surrounded by family, according to a spokesperson. His passing marks the end of an era for one of the most popular acts of the 1960s, known for hits like "Reach Out I'll Be There" and "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)."
NEW YORK (AP) - Abdul "Duke" Fakir, the last surviving original member of the beloved Motown group the Four Tops that was known for such hits as "Reach Out, I'll Be There" and "Standing in the Shadows of Love," has died at age 88.
— Chris Walker (@WalkerATX) July 22, 2024
Fakir died Monday of heart failure, according to… pic.twitter.com/xvWoon944I
As the lead tenor, Fakir provided the bedrock for the group's distinctive sound, his smooth voice blending seamlessly with Levi Stubbs' powerful baritone and the rich harmonies of Renaldo "Obie" Benson and Lawrence Payton. Their music, often infused with themes of love, loss, and longing, resonated with audiences worldwide and continues to be celebrated today.
Born in 1935 in Detroit, Fakir's journey to musical stardom began in the city's vibrant gospel scene. He initially aspired to be a professional athlete but found his true calling in music, forming the Four Tops with his childhood friend Stubbs and fellow singers Benson and Payton.
The group's breakthrough came in 1963 when they signed with Motown Records and were paired with the legendary songwriting and production team Holland-Dozier-Holland. The collaboration yielded a string of chart-topping hits that solidified the Four Tops' place in music history.
Between 1964 and 1967, they achieved 11 Top 20 hits, including two No. 1 singles: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" and "Reach Out I'll Be There." Other notable songs included "Baby I Need Your Loving," "Bernadette" and "Just Ask the Lonely."(1/3) In Memoriam: 1990 Inductee Abdul “Duke” Fakir was the last remaining original member of the Four Tops, one of the mightiest vocal groups of all time. pic.twitter.com/VsFpyP99hX
— Rock Hall (@rockhall) July 22, 2024
Initially called the Four Aims, the group changed their name to avoid confusion with the Ames Brothers. They had recorded for several labels, including Chess Records, with little commercial success before their association with Motown.With Fakir as lead tenor, the Four Tops became known for their tight, haunting harmonies behind Stubbs' powerful baritone. Their music often reflected themes of romantic pain and loss, contributing to their lasting legacy in the music industry.
After Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown in 1967, the Four Tops continued to have sporadic success with hits like "Still Water (Love)" and "Keeper of the Castle." Their last Top 20 hit came in the early 1980s with "When She Was My Girl."
Despite changes in the music industry, the Four Tops remained a popular concert act, touring with latter-day members of the Temptations and maintaining their unity until Payton's death in 1997. Benson died in 2005 and Stubbs in 2008.
“The things I love about them the most — they are very professional, they have fun with what they do, they are very loving, they have always been gentlemen,” Stevie Wonder said when he helped induct the Four Tops into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
The group was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.
Fakir, who was married twice, most recently to Piper Gibson for the last 50 years, had seven children, six of whom survive him. He recently completed a memoir titled "I'll Be There," published in 2022, and was working on a planned Broadway musical based on the group's life.
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