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Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Founding member of chart-topping ‘80s R&B group dies at 68
Wayne Lewis, founding member of the platinum-selling R&B group Atlantic Starr, has died. He was 68 years old. Lewis died on Thursday, June 5, according to a Facebook post from Atlantic Starr on Friday, June 6. 'It's with great sadness we have to post the passing of Wayne Lewis,' the post reads. 'Please keep the family in your prayers and respect there privacy.' A cause of death was not revealed. Born April 13, 1957, Lewis co-founded Atlantic Starr with his brothers David Lewis and Jonathan Lewis in 1976 in White Plains, New York, according to Billboard. Other early members of the group were Clifford Archer, Sharon Bryant, Porter Carroll Jr., Joseph Phillips, Damon Rentie and William Sudderth. Bryant and Rentie were later replaced by Barbara Weathers and Koran Daniels, respectively. Atlantic Starr signed with A&M Records and released its debut, self-titled album in 1978 followed by their sophomore effort, 'Straight to the Point,' in 1979. The group initially scored several hits on the R&B charts — including 'Stand Up,' 'When Love Calls' and 'Send for Me' — before achieving crossover success. Atlantic Starr's first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 was 1982's 'Circles,' which peaked at No. 38. The song also reached No. 2 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The group's biggest commercial success came in 1987 when 'Always' topped the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. 'My First Love' in 1989 was Atlantic Starr's only other No. 1 on the latter chart. Atlantic Starr earned a total of 11 top 10 songs on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and three top 10 hits on Billboard's Hot 100 charts in addition to a platinum album, gold album and gold single, according to the RIAA. Atlantic Starr's most recent album, 'Metamorphosis,' was released in 2017. Legendary hip-hop duo's first US tour in 15 years to start in Mass. Festival fans demand refunds after headliner's set slashed over weather delay Live Wire: Two Northampton music series return in time for summer 'Devastated' music legend cancels more shows due to health issues Indie rock band's singer says this is 'best venue in America': Have you been? Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wayne Lewis, Atlantic Starr Singer and Founding Member, Dies at 68
Wayne Lewis, a founding member of the R&B group Atlantic Starr, has died at the age of 68. The band confirmed his passing in a social media post on Friday (June 7), noting that the musician died on Thursday. No cause of death has been disclosed. More from Billboard Gone But Not Forgotten: Musicians We Lost in 2025 BRIT Awards 2026 to Be Held Outside London for First Time Mariah Carey's 'Type Dangerous' Tops This Week's Favorite New Music Poll 'It's with great sadness we have to post the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025,' Atlantic Starr wrote on Facebook. 'Please keep the family in your prayers and respect their privacy #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Sunrise 4/13/1957 Sunset 6/5/2025 #restinpeaceWayne.' Lewis served as a vocalist and keyboardist for Atlantic Starr, which he co-founded in 1976 in White Plains, N.Y., alongside his brothers David Lewis (vocals, guitar) and Jonathan Lewis (keyboards, trombone), as well as drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer and percussionist-flutist Joseph Phillips. Other early members included lead singer Sharon Bryant, trumpeter William Sudderth III and saxophonist Damon Rentie. Bryant and Rentie were later replaced by Barbara Weathers and Koran Daniels, respectively. Atlantic Starr became a fixture in R&B throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. The group signed with A&M Records (and later to Warner Bros. Records, among other labels), releasing their self-titled debut album in 1978, followed by their sophomore effort, Straight to the Point, the next year. The band achieved its first top 10 hit on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with 'Circles' (No. 2) from the 1982 album Brilliance. Their biggest commercial success came in 1987 when 'Always,' from 1986's All in the Name of Love, reached No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Atlantic Starr earned a total of three top 10 hits on the Hot 100 and 11 top 10s on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. 'My First Love' in 1989 was their only other No. 1 on the latter chart. In recent years, Atlantic Starr continued to perform with Lewis and current members Jonathan Lewis, Melessa Pierce and Shammah Carter. The group's most recent album, Metamorphosis, was released in 2017. Following the announcement of Lewis' death, fans flooded social media with heartfelt tributes and condolences. 'His band gave my generation so much listening pleasure,' one fan wrote. Another shared, 'Nooooo I am devastated seeing this. My condolences to all family and friends.' A third commenter added, 'A great songwriter. Atlantic Starr was better once he became leader. He will be missed.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
