Abdul “Duke” Fakir -- the last original member of the Four Tops, the Motown hitmakers behind classics like “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” -- died Monday, US media said. He was 88 years old. Citing his family, the Detroit Free Press said Fakir died of heart failure at his home in Detroit. “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,” the family said in a statement to the paper.

“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.” The Four Tops’ sound was elemental to 1960s pop, and the Motown group’s additional chart-toppers included “Baby I Need Your Lovin’” “Reach Out, I’ll Be There,” “It’s The Same Old Song” and “Standing In the Shadows of Love.”

The group -- who found success working with the storied songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland -- was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, introduced into the pantheon by Stevie Wonder. Fakir, who was born in Detroit on December 26, 1935, sang first tenor. Originally founded as the Four Aims, the group included Fakir as well as Levi Stubbs, Renaldo “Obie” Benson and Lawrence Payton. They performed together for more than 40 years, from 1953 to 1997.

Between 1997 and 2005, Stubbs, Benson and Payton died. Fakir continued performing with new vocalists for many years, until medical issues forced him to stop in late 2023. “I’m not going to ever retire,” he wrote in his 2022 memoir. “The Lord can retire me, but I’m not going into the dark night quietly. I know I’m not in the fourth quarter anymore.” “I’m in overtime.” — AFP