I'll Be There: My Life with the Four Tops

by Duke Fakir

Spanning over decades, this is the remarkable, heartfelt memoir from Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir, the last surviving member of The Four Tops. Amidst a backdrop of Detroit, I’ll Be There features revealing anecdotes from the group’s formation, their early days as backup singers for the likes of Jackie Wilson, and their years working with Berry Gordy at the legendary Motown Records. With era-defining number ones like ‘I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)’ and ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There’ came stardom and also a more enduring the love of four men who become tighter than brothers. Together they comprise one of the most celebrated R&B groups of all time. But remarkable musical success didn’t spare Fakir the pain of marital distress, soured investment deals, struggles with sobriety, and the sudden loss of his brothers, all of which he covers in this confessional, unmissable book.

Genres: Music

240 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2022

Reviews

[Gary Fowles · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent enough overview of one of the greatest underrated bands ever. Personally I would have liked a deeper dive into the world of ‘50s/‘60s soul. There are stories aplenty, lots of them far from happy, but I only ever felt that Duke Fakir was scraping the surface. Don’t expect too much about The Four Tops’ time in the studio, their glorious run of Motown albums is dismissed in one sentence.
I’ve no doubt that this is partly due to Fakir not being massively involved in the recording process (?), and writing his memoir at an age when the past is fuzzy at best. Which is totally understandable, but not so great for the reader that wants details.

[MDNewbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book but it was just a broad brushstroke over his musical career. I could have read a long wiki and would have had about the same amount of information. As a music fan and a Tops fan, I wanted much more detail about, well, everything. It’s a fast read because it doesn’t dive deep enough into much of anything.

[Graeme Whitton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this book. Inside account of what it was really like to be one of the Four Tops and record for Motown in their glory days. It reads like you're just sitting having a conversation with Duke and it's a really easy read.

If you've ever loved Motown (and if you haven't , what's wrong with you) this is well worth your time.

[Diane Wilkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the big regrets of my musical life is not having seen the Four Tops with Levi Stubbs. Once he was no longer singing with the group due to health issues, and the Tops and Tempts were on tour together, I decided it was not financially savvy to see these remnants of the original bands. I was grateful I had seen the Temptations in almost their original grouping, although I did miss seeing the late, great David Ruffin.

But I digress. I did always notice Duke Fakir particularly in the group when I saw old videos, but not necessarily his musical contribution. You know some people just stand out to you--Fakir did to me. Not hugely, just subtly. But it took on more meaning when his memoir as a Four Top was published. I watched one of his library book signings/discussions on YouTube, then I read the sample, and finally just purchased the damn thing. It is written/as told to Kathleen McGhee-Anderson, who is a luminary herself for her groundbreaking work as a Black woman author (writer for theatre, movies and television)--and she's also an old friend of Fakir's wife, Piper. (They went to Spellman together, I think.)

But synchronicities and mystical occurrences appear a lot in Fakir's life. When he was a little boy who was supposed to sing a solo in church, he ran out because of his stage fright and a mysterious woman outside told him that he was special and would one day perform in front of the world. He had a precognitive dream during the Four Tops early days that they would become very famous. He had heart health issues that he only discovered because other band members were having health problems--and Piper insisted he get checked out--and it saved his life.

He is the last remaining member of the Four Tops and is still performing in his 80's, although this is supposedly the last tour. He was not just a band member; for most of the duration of the Tops' career, he served as their business manager, valet, etc.

While this is absolutely Fakir's story, he also shares a lot about each member of the Tops, especially Levi, who was his friend before they met Lawrence Payton and Renaldo "Obie" Benson at a high school party. They sounded like they had always sung together and knew what they had as a group was special and never broke up, unlike most musical groups of the time period. They didn't just stay friends, they golfed together every day, married four women who sang together in a musical group (only loyal Levi stayed married to his original wife), and continued to live in Detroit when Berry moved Motown to LA.

It's almost like a fairytale friendship, but it's actually real. And this book takes you back in time. Fakir also openly discusses the challenges each men faced and not just being a group touring the South pre-civil rights. He doesn't present anyone, especially himself, as perfect or superhuman.

And warning for those who dislike cursing--there's a healthy amount of it in this book. Didn't bother me at all, because mostly they were direct quotes, and my preference is for the unexpurgated.

I think it was very well-written and cohesive and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves the Four Tops. Bernadette!!!!

[Mickey McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motown magic for you. Duke, that last Four Top standing tells his story from his humble beginnings to his rise to fame as a member of the Four Tops, and the ups and down of fame, and the loss of each of each Top. This is a quick and great read, and Duke is a great storyteller!!! You'll want to get your Four Tops playlist ready after this.

[Raina Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book!

I loved taking this amazing musical ride with Mr. Fakir!
Reliving the magic, the music, the Motown memories was so much fun!

[Mark Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read it.