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.
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