Four Tops Last Surviving Singer Duke Fakir Dead at 88

The founding and final surviving member of the Four Tops – Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir – has died aged 88. The legendary group’s lead tenor and longest-performing member passed away at his home in Detroit on Monday, July 22. The reported cause of death is heart failure He was a founding member of the internationally renowned Motown quartet from 1953 until his recent retirement from the group in July 2024. As first tenor, Duke helped define the Motown Sound with hits like “I Can’t Help Myself” and “Reach Out, I’ll Be There,” mainstays of the music and the man who helped create it. He made regular public appearances with and without the group and was noted for his philanthropic activities around the Motor City. Many knew him as a man of the people, always prepared to end his talents and resources to the community and citizens of the region. “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...