Abdul 'Duke' Fakir, 'I Can't Help Myself' Singer, Last Surviving Original Member of 'The Four Tops,' Passes Away at 88

Abdul 'Duke' Fakir, the last remaining original member of Motown icons 'The Four Tops,' died on Monday, July 22, at his home in Detroit. He was 88.

According to The New York Times, his family confirmed that the cause of his death was heart failure.

In a statement, Fakir's family said, "We heavy hearts 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."

Fakir, a founding member of 'The Four Tops' in 1953, had been battling bladder cancer and had stopped touring at the end of last year due to his poor health. The family said he was surrounded by his loved ones at his Detroit home.

On Sunday, July 21, an associate told Billboard that Fakir was "happy, talking and interacting, and when they turned to do something and turned back around, he had slipped away."

Known for his distinctive glasses and angular frame, Fakir was arguably the most recognizable member of the group. He remained the group's leader when Levi Stubbs (2008), Renaldo "Obie" Benson (2005), and Lawrence Payton (whose son Lawrence Payton Jr. is currently in the lineup) passed away.

Three of those members passed away from cancer between 1997 and 2005, but the others stayed in the group until the end of their lives. Fakir continued the group with new singers until he announced his retirement earlier this year.

"I am probably as surprised as you are at the longevity," Fakir said in 2022 while promoting his memoir 'I'll Be There: My Life With The Four Tops.' "It's unbelievable. I never would've thought that while I was in my 80s I'd even be thinking about doing this, let alone still doing it. I feel nothing but blessed, man. Just blessed."

Fakir is survived by his wife, Piper; daughter, Farrah Fakir Cook; sons Nazim Bashir Fakir, Abdul Kareem Fakir Jr., Myke Fakir, Anthony Fakir, and Malik Robinson; 13 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.