Four Tops singer Duke Fakir dies at 88: The last surviving original member of the classic Motown group passed away from heart failure TWO DAYS after retiring

Duke Fakir, the final surviving original member of the Motown icons the Four Tops, has died at the age of 88.

Fakir died at his home in Detroit, Michigan, on Monday morning, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The singer reportedly died from heart failure.

Fakir was part of the group's biggest hits, including the Billboard Hot 100 chart toppers I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch), which spent two nonconsecutive weeks in the top spot in 1965, and the 1966 hit Reach Out I'll Be There, which also spent two weeks at the top.

His death follows the death of his three former bandmates: Lawrence Payton, Obie Benson and Levi Stubbs.

'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,' his family said in a statement to the Detroit Free Press. 'As the last living founding member of the iconic Four Tops music group, we find solace in Duke’s legacy living on through his music for generations to come.' 

Fakir (born Abdul Kareem Fakir) sang the first tenor line in the Four Tops.

Although tenors are traditionally lead vocalists in similar groups, Fakir joined Payton and Benson in singing backup to baritone Levi Stubbs on lead vocals.