The world lost a true legend today. Abdul “Duke” Fakir, the last living member of the iconic 1960s/1970s hit-making Motown Records group, The Four Tops, known for songs like “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch,” “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” and more has died today (July 22, 2024) at his home in Detroit. He was 88 years young. And now, Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy- his former fellow Motown Records family, are paying homage to him.

A family spokesperson revealed that Fakir died Monday of heart failure, with his wife, family, and loved ones by his side.

In a statement via The Associated Press, Motown founder, Berry Gordy, said Fakir helped embody the Four Tops’ “showmanship, class and artistry,” and that “Duke was first tenor — smooth, suave, and always sharp,” Gordy said. “For 70 years, he kept the Four Tops’ remarkable legacy intact.”

On Instagram Motown’s, Smokey Robinson, paid touching tribute to Duke, who he refers to as his brother. “My brother I really hate to have to say goodbye but you’ve been called home by The Father to once again join Lawrence, Obey, and Levi and make more of the heavenly music you guys made while here,” Smokey wrote. “I’m gonna miss you my brother. Have the most wonderful eternity.Your Brother, Smokey.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Smokey Robinson (@smokeyrobinson)

Duke Fakir is survived by his wife of 50 years, Piper Gibson, and six of his seven children. Prior to his last marriage he was married once before, and was also once engaged to the late Mary Wilson of The Supremes.

According to AP, Duke was a life-long Detroit resident ‘who stayed home even after Gordy moved the label to Los Angeles in early 1970s, Fakir was of Ethiopian and Bangladeshi descent and grew up in a rough neighborhood where rival Black and white gangs fought often. He had early dreams of being a professional athlete, but was also a talented singer whose tenor brought him attention as a performer in his church choir. He was in his teens when he befriended Stubbs, and the two first sang with Benson and Payton at a birthday party thrown by a local “girl” group whom Fakir remembered as “high-class, very fine young ladies.”’

As the last surviving original member of The Four Tops, Duke once confessed that a piece of him died with each passing of his former group members, Levi Stubbs, Lawrence Payton and Renaldo “Obie” Benson:

“As each one of them (the original members) passed a little bit of me left with them,” Fakir stated to UK Music Reviews in 2021. “When Levi left us, I found myself in a quandary as to what I was going to do from that moment on but after a while I realized that the name together with the legacy that they had left us simply had to carry on, and judging by the audience reaction it soon became pretty evident that I did the right thing and I really do feel good about that.”

The Four Tops’ legacy speaks for itself, with inductions into the Rock Hall of Fame, Grammy Hall of Fame, a Grammy lifetime achievement award, and the many hits that helped shape music, they may all be gone now, but will never be forgotten. Thank you for the beautiful music and memories, and may Abdul “Duke” Fakir, as well as his brothers-in-music, Levi, Lawrence, and Obie rest in eternal peace.