Wayne Lewis, a founding member of the R&B group Atlantic Starr, has died on the age of 68.
The band confirmed his passing in a social media put up on Friday (June 7), noting that the musician died on Thursday. No explanation for demise has been disclosed.
“It’s with nice unhappiness we now have to put up the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025,” Atlantic Starr wrote on Facebook. “Please preserve the household in your prayers and respect their privateness #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Dawn 4/13/1957 Sundown 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), in addition to drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer and percussionist-flutist Joseph Phillips.
Different early members included lead singer Sharon Bryant, trumpeter William Sudderth III and saxophonist Damon Rentie. Bryant and Rentie had been later changed by Barbara Weathers and Koran Daniels, respectively.
Atlantic Starr grew to become a fixture in R&B all through the late Seventies and Eighties. The group signed with A&M Information (and later to Warner Bros. Information, amongst different labels), releasing their self-titled debut album in 1978, adopted by their sophomore effort, Straight to the Level, the following yr.
The band achieved its first prime 10 hit on Billboard’s Sizzling R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with “Circles” (No. 2) from the 1982 album Brilliance. Their greatest business success got here in 1987 when “All the time,” from 1986’s All within the Title of Love, reached No. 1 on each the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart and Sizzling R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
Atlantic Starr earned a complete of three prime 10 hits on the Sizzling 100 and 11 prime 10s on Sizzling R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. “My First Love” in 1989 was their solely different No. 1 on the latter chart.
Lately, Atlantic Starr continued to carry out with Lewis and present members Jonathan Lewis, Melessa Pierce and Shammah Carter. The group’s most up-to-date album, Metamorphosis, was launched in 2017.
Following the announcement of Lewis’ demise, followers flooded social media with heartfelt tributes and condolences.
“His band gave my era a lot listening pleasure,” one fan wrote. One other shared, “Nooooo I’m devastated seeing this. My condolences to all household and buddies.” A 3rd commenter added, “A fantastic songwriter. Atlantic Starr was higher as soon as he grew to become chief. He shall be missed.”