Four Tops Singer, Duke Fakir, Dies at 88

The singer died Monday at his home in Detroit due to heart failure, according to his family.

Duke’s family told the Detroit Free Press, “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.”

Duke enjoyed a 70-year career in music before retiring earlier this year, with the family adding, “We find solace in Duke’s legacy living on through his music for generations to come.”

Duke sang first tenor for the Four Tops with a smooth, high voice, complementing the baritone lead vocalist Levi Stubbs.

The Four Tops were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 for being one of the defining groups of Motown.

With Duke on the mic, the Four Tops cranked out a number of hits, including “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “Bernadette,” “It’s The Same Old Song,” “Standing In The Shadows of Love,” and “When She Was My Girl.”

The Four Tops saw three of their founding members die between 1997 and 2005, leaving Duke as the last original member.

He was preceded in death by Lawrence Payton, Obie Benson, and Levi, all of whom he had known since their teenage years growing up in Detroit.

Despite the loss of his founding group mates, Duke continued to keep the Four Tops name alive, bringing in new members and continuing to perform live for as long as he could.

Duke was 88.