The last remaining member of the seminal rhythm & blues vocal quartet, The Four Tops, passed away
July 22, 2024, of heart failure surrounded by family. The recently retired singer announced he was leaving the touring group just days before his passing. He last performed in December of 2023. He was 88 years old.
Abdul Kareem Fakir, known to the world as ‘Duke’, was born December 26, 1935, to a Muslim father
from what is now Bangladesh, and a Christian mother. He met future lead singer of the group, baritone
Levi Stubbs, in High School. Second Tenor Lawrence Payton and Bassist Renaldo ‘Obie’ Benson attended
a different school. They joined forces for the first time at a Detroit school party singing doo-wop tunes. Originally named the Four Aimes, they settled into the Four Tops, and the rest, as they say is history.
Early on, the Four Tops recorded for the Chicago based Chess Records, and opened for jazz giant
Billy Eckstine. They signed to Motown Records short-lived jazz division, Workshop Jazz, in 1963. But it was
under the main imprint of Motown Records, and the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, that The Four Tops became a household name. Their first hit under Motown, “Baby, I Need Your Loving,” sold over a million copies, followed by more big hits like “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” and “Reach Out, I’ll Be There,” and many more.
Fakir was briefly engaged to his labelmate, Mary Wilson of the Supremes in the mid-1960s. They
remained close friends until her passing in 2021.
When Berry Gordy officially moved Motown to the West Coast, the Four Tops decided to stay in Detroit
and sign to ABC/Dunhill Records. They recorded “Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got)” under their new label, and their last big hit, “When She Was My Girl” on Casablanca Records. They would rejoin Motown after performing on the 1983 television special “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever.”
They continued to make appearances into the 1990s. As the Four Top members began to pass away,
Duke made sure the legacy would continue. Duke spoke about his experiences with the
group in various documentaries and attended award ceremonies. He performed with the group
until December of 2023. In July of 2024, he officially announced his replacement, Michael Brock.
The Four Tops have sold over 50-Million Records worldwide. They amassed 18 Top-20 Billboard Pop Hits
(including two number 1’s) and 24 top ten R&B Singles (three number 1’s.)
In 1990, the Four Tops were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The Grammy’s recognized them
with a Grammy Hall of Fame selection in 1998 and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009
Duka Fakir is survived by his wife Piper of 50 years, a sister, seven children (one deceased) and over 20
grand and great grandchildren.
