Post by Motown Honey on Jul 8, 2005 21:06:05 GMT -5
FINAL FAREWELL: Motown memorial planned for Benson
July 7, 2005
Duke Fakir said he's still in a state of shock.
Five days after the death of Renaldo (Obie) Benson, his longtime musical partner in the Four Tops, Fakir said he is grappling with the loss of a friend who just two months ago was in good health.
Benson, who turned 69 on June 14, had recently spoken of carrying on the group's long legacy for several more years.
"We were just talking about how we were going to keep the group going," Fakir said Wednesday. "We talked about staying healthy and vital for a long time."
Benson died Friday morning after a sudden onset of medical complications, including lung cancer.
A host of fellow Motown Records luminaries are expected to be in Detroit Thursday and Friday for Benson's memorial service and funeral, including Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Supremes' Mary Wilson.
Fakir said label founder Berry Gordy Jr., who signed the Four Tops in 1963, was working Wednesday to arrange a trip.
In his first public comments since Benson's death, Fakir described Benson as a warm soul with a good head on his shoulders -- the group member most likely to steer the others away from trouble during younger years.
"Obie was the sunshine spot," he said. "Nobody can replace him."
With the death of Lawrence Payton in '97 and Levi Stubbs' crippling stroke in '02, Fakir remains the only active original member. The group will continue to perform with Payton's son, Roquel Payton, handling Benson's baritone parts.
"We're rolling on," Fakir, who turns 70 in December, said. "As long as the legacy is there, I'll be there."
A public viewing is 3-8 p.m. Thursday at the Pye Funeral Home, 17600 Plymouth, Detroit.
Service: 11 a.m. Friday at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2080 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit.
July 7, 2005
Duke Fakir said he's still in a state of shock.
Five days after the death of Renaldo (Obie) Benson, his longtime musical partner in the Four Tops, Fakir said he is grappling with the loss of a friend who just two months ago was in good health.
Benson, who turned 69 on June 14, had recently spoken of carrying on the group's long legacy for several more years.
"We were just talking about how we were going to keep the group going," Fakir said Wednesday. "We talked about staying healthy and vital for a long time."
Benson died Friday morning after a sudden onset of medical complications, including lung cancer.
A host of fellow Motown Records luminaries are expected to be in Detroit Thursday and Friday for Benson's memorial service and funeral, including Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Supremes' Mary Wilson.
Fakir said label founder Berry Gordy Jr., who signed the Four Tops in 1963, was working Wednesday to arrange a trip.
In his first public comments since Benson's death, Fakir described Benson as a warm soul with a good head on his shoulders -- the group member most likely to steer the others away from trouble during younger years.
"Obie was the sunshine spot," he said. "Nobody can replace him."
With the death of Lawrence Payton in '97 and Levi Stubbs' crippling stroke in '02, Fakir remains the only active original member. The group will continue to perform with Payton's son, Roquel Payton, handling Benson's baritone parts.
"We're rolling on," Fakir, who turns 70 in December, said. "As long as the legacy is there, I'll be there."
A public viewing is 3-8 p.m. Thursday at the Pye Funeral Home, 17600 Plymouth, Detroit.
Service: 11 a.m. Friday at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2080 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit.