Duke Fakir, the last surviving member of the iconic Motown group Four Tops, passed away at 88. The news was confirmed by Detroit Free Press. Fakir, who co-founded the group in 1953 at the age of 18, continued to perform with Four Tops throughout his life, even after the deaths of his original bandmates. He died from heart failure at his home.

The Fakir family expressed their sorrow in a statement: “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a trailblazer, icon, and music legend who, through his 70-year music career, touched the lives of so many as he continued to tour until the end of 2023, and officially retired this year. As the last living founding member of the iconic Four Tops music group, we find solace in Duke’s legacy living on through his music for generations to come.”

Abdul Kareem “Duke” Fakir, born and raised in Detroit, was an accomplished athlete in high school, where he met Levi Stubbs, his future bandmate, during a neighborhood football game. Their friendship, rooted in a mutual love of singing, led them to form a group with Lawrence Payton and Obie Benson. Initially called the Four Aims, they changed their name to Four Tops to avoid confusion with another group and set their sights on the top of the charts.

The Four Tops faced several setbacks with various record labels before catching the attention of Berry Gordy Jr. at Motown Records in 1963. Their collaboration with the songwriting team Holland–Dozier–Holland produced their first major hit, “Baby I Need Your Loving,” which reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

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From the mid-1960s, the Four Tops enjoyed a series of chart-topping hits, including “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” “Reach Out, I’ll Be There,” and “Standing in the Shadows of Love.” They released 27 studio albums and maintained their original lineup for 43 years. Fakir often reflected on the deep bond he shared with his bandmates, saying, “We loved each other as men, as friends. We loved singing together, we knew we blended really well together. We loved entertaining – we all had the same passion for entertaining people.”

Duke Fakir’s contributions to music earned him and the Four Tops numerous accolades, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. Fakir also published a memoir in 2022, titled “I’ll Be There: My Life with the Four Tops.”

Tributes poured in from artists and fans alike. Smokey Robinson shared on Instagram, “My brother, I really hate to have to say goodbye but you’ve been called home by the Father to once again join Lawrence, Obie and Levi and make more of the heavenly music you guys made while here. I’m gonna miss you, my brother.”

Duke Fakir’s legacy as a foundational figure in Motown and his lasting impact on the music industry will continue to be celebrated by generations to come.