Ill Be There, Duke Fakir
Ill Be There, Duke Fakir
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

I'll Be There
My Life with the Four Tops

Author: Duke Fakir, Kathleen McGhee-Anderson

Narrator: Terrence Kidd

Unabridged: 6 hr 52 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 04/28/2026


Synopsis

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 reward: 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.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Gary on October 30, 2022

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......more

Goodreads review by Graeme on June 30, 2022

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 w......more

Goodreads review by Diane on August 14, 2023

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 gra......more

Goodreads review by Mickey on October 07, 2023

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 y......more

Goodreads review by Refinement on October 04, 2022

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