Duke Fakir, the final surviving authentic member of the beloved Motown group the 4 Tops, is lifeless.
The singer died Monday at his dwelling in Detroit because of coronary heart failure … based on his household.
Duke’s household tells his hometown newspaper, 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 loved a 70-year profession in music earlier than retiring earlier this yr, and the household provides … “We find solace in Duke’s legacy living on through his music for generations to come.”
Duke sang first tenor for the 4 Tops with a excessive, easy voice … a complement to baritone lead vocalist Levi Stubbs.
The 4 Tops was inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame means again in 1990 … on the energy of being one of many defining teams of Motown.
With Duke on the mic, the 4 Tops cranked out a ton of hits … together with “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” and “Reach Out I’ll Be There” … plus “Bernadette,” “It’s The Same Old Song,” “Standing In The Shadows of Love” and “When She Was My Girl.”
The 4 Tops noticed three of their founding members die between 1997 and 2005 … leaving Duke because the final OG standing.
He was preceded in dying by Lawrence Payton, Obie Benson and Levi … all of whom he had recognized since their teenage years rising up in Detroit.
Regardless of the lack of his founding group mates, Duke saved the 4 Tops title alive so long as he might … bringing in new members and persevering with to carry out reside.
Duke was 88.
RIP
