Latest news with #DavidLewis
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Atlantic Starr singer Wayne Lewis dead at 68
Wayne Lewis, a singer and founding member of the R&B band Atlantic Starr, has died aged 68. The group shared the news of Lewis' death in a statement on Facebook on Friday indicating Wayne had died the previous day but did not share a cause of death. "It's with great sadness we have to post the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025 please keep the family in your prayers and respect there privacy #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Sunrise 4/13/1957 Sunset 6/5/2025 #restinpeaceWayne," the much-loved soul ensemble wrote. Founded in the late 1970s and including Wayne and his two brothers David and Jonathan, Atlantic Starr enjoyed success from the early 1980s until the start of the 1990s, achieving one U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number one single, Always, in 1987. The song reached number three in the U.K.
Mint
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Atlantic Starr founder, singer Wayne Lewis passes away at 68
Washington DC [US], June 8 (ANI): Wayne Lewis, a founding member of the R&B band 'Atlantic Starr' who sang vocals, and is known to pen hits like 'Always' and 'Secret Lovers', passed away, as informed by his band. The 'Atlantic Starr' band shared the news of Wayne Lewis' demise on their Facebook handle, asking for "respect for privacy" for the singer's family. The cause of the death was not revealed by the band. "It's with great sadness we have to post the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025 please keep the family in your prayers and respect there privacy #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Sunrise 4/13/1957 Sunset 6/5/2025 #restinpeaceWayne," wrote the 'Atlantic Starr' band on Facebook. According to Deadline, Atlantic Starr, a New York-based band, was founded in 1976 by Wayne Lewis and his two brothers -- David Lewis (vocalist and guitarist) and Jonathan Lewis (keyboardist and trombonist) -- as well as drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer and percussionist-flautist Joseph Phillips. Early members also included lead singer Sharon Bryant (later replaced by Barbara Weathers), trumpeter William Sudderth and saxophonist Damon Rentie (replaced afterward by Koran Daniels). According to the outlet, throughout the late '70s and early '80s, Atlantic Starr scored several hits on the R&B charts, including 'Circles', which marked the group's first single to hit the Billboard Hot 100. Later tracks, like 'Always,' peaked at No. 1 on the coveted chart, while 1992's 'Masterpiece' peaked at No. 3. First signing to A&M, the group then moved over to Warner Bros. Records, having trimmed down to a quintet with the three Lewis brothers, Phillips and Weathers by 1987, reported Deadline. Following the smash success of "Always," Weathers left to pursue a solo career and was replaced with a number of other female vocalists. In 1992, the Atlantic Starr members appeared as themselves and performed on an episode of daytime soap Another World, reported Deadline. Wayne Lewis and David Lewis are credited with writing most of the band's songs. The group's most recent album, Metamorphosis, was released in 2017. (ANI)
New York Post
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Wayne Lewis, Atlantic Starr singer and founder, dead at 68
Wayne Lewis, a singer and founding member of the R&B band Atlantic Starr, has died. He was 68. The group shared the news of Lewis' death in a statement on Facebook Friday. 'It's with great sadness we have to post the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025 please keep the family in your prayers and respect there privacy #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Sunrise 4/13/1957 Sunset 6/5/2025 #restinpeaceWayne,' the band wrote. Advertisement 9 Wayne Lewis of Atlantic Starr performs in Mableton, Georgia in July 2023. Getty Images A cause of death was not revealed. Fans paid tribute to the legendary singer in the comments section of the post. Advertisement 'Nooooo I am devastated seeing this. My condolences to all family and friends,' one fan wrote. 9 Wayne Lewis performs at the Park West Theater in Chicago in 1983. Getty Images 9 David Lewis, Jonathan Lewis, John Phillips, Wayne Lewis and Sharon Bryant of Atlantic Starr pose for a group portrait in 1983. Ron Wolfson/Michael'A great songwriter. Atlantic Starr was better once he became leader. He will be missed,' another fan said. Advertisement Someone else commented, 'RIP BROTHER…The voice of a generation!!!!My condolences to the family.' 'I had the pleasure of meeting him last September, what an amazing soul. Rest in peace ,' said a fourth fan. 9 Wayne Lewis performs onstage during An Evening Of Funk at Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre in 2021. Getty Images Atlantic Starr was founded in White Plains, New York in 1976 by Lewis, his brothers David and Jonathan, and drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer and percussionist-flutist Joseph Phillip. Advertisement 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. 9 David Lewis, Barbara Weathers and Wayne Lewis perform in Chicago in 1987. Getty Images 9 Wayne Lewis performs in Chicago in 1986. Getty Images 9 The members of Atlantic Starr at their Gold Record presentation in 1985. Getty Images The group released their self-titled debut album in 1978 with hits including 'Stand Up,' 'Keep It Comin,'' '(I'll Never Miss) The Love I Never Had' and 'With Your Love I Come Alive.' Over the next 15 years, Atlantic Starr put out more popular songs including 'Circles,' 'Secret Lovers,' 'Silver Shadow,' 'Masterpiece' and 'Always,' which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Black Singles charts, becoming the band's only number one song. 9 L'john Epps, Melissa Pierce, and Wayne Lewis of Atlantic Starr perform in Mableton, Georgia in Aug. 2021. Getty Images The group was initially signed to A&M before moving over to Warner Bros. Records. After their relationship with Warner Bros. dissolved in the early 1990s, they began working with multiple record labels including Reprise and Arista. They released their latest album 2017's 'Metamorphosis,' with Metamorphous, LLC. Advertisement 9 David Lewis, Wayne Lewis and Barbara Weathers of Atlantic Starr perform at the Arie Crown Theater in October 1987. Getty Images Outside of music, Atlantic Starr appeared as themselves on a 1992 episode of the daytime soap opera 'Another World.' They performed at local nightspot Sassy's during the episode. Lewis was among the band's current lineup, alongside his brother Jonathan, Melessa Pierce and Shammah Carter.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wayne Lewis, Founding Member of Atlantic Starr, Dead at 68
Wayne Lewis, a founding member of R&B group Atlantic Starr, died Thursday, June 5. He was 68. His death was confirmed by the band. 'It's with great sadness we have to post the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025,' the group posted on their official Facebook page Friday. 'Please keep the family in your prayers and respect there privacy #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Sunrise 4/13/1957 Sunset 6/5/2025 #restinpeaceWayne.' More from Rolling Stone George Wendt's Cause of Death Revealed Jonathan Joss, 'King of the Hill' Voice Actor, Fatally Shot at 59 Valerie Mahaffey, 'Northern Exposure' and 'Desperate Housewives' Actress, Dead at 71 Wayne Lewis, who served as a lead vocalist and keyboardist, and his brothers lead vocalist-guitarist David and trombonist-percussionist Jonathan formed the group in White Plains, New York in the late Seventies. The early core members included singer Sharon Bryant, trumpeter William Sudderth, saxophonist Damon Rentie (Koran Daniels replaced Rentie in 1981), bassist Clifford Archer, drummer Porter Carroll Jr., and percussionist-flutist Joseph Phillips. Wayne and David Lewis are credited with writing many of their songs. The band signed with A&M and released their self-titled debut album in 1978 featuring 'Stand Up,' which hit Number 16 on the R&B singles chart, and they dropped their sophomore LP the next year with Straight to the Point. Bryant led a pair of hits from their next albums, 'When Love Calls' from 1981's Radiant and the Number Two-charting 'Circles' from 1982's Brilliance. She scored another one with 'Touch a Four Leaf Clover' from 1983's Yours Forever before leaving to pursue a solo career, with Barbara Weathers replacing her. Their sixth album, 1985's As the Band Turns, found the group pared down to a quintet and also brought them their breakout hit 'Secret Lovers,' written and produced by Wayne and David Lewis. The single reached Number Three on the Billboard Hot 100 and Number One on the Adult Contemporary chart. They followed up with another smash hit 'Always,' which appears on 1987's All in the Name of Love. The song topped the pop and R&B charts. Their most recent album, Metamorphosis, arrived in 2017. Along with Wayne Lewis, the group's current lineup included Jonathan Lewis, and Melessa Pierce and Shammah Carter. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Atlantic Starr singer Wayne Lewis dies at 68 as tributes pour in for R&B legend
Wayne Lewis of the legendary R&B band Atlantic Starr has died. The singer, songwriter, and co-founding member of the group was 68. The band announced his passing in a heartfelt Facebook post on June 6, writing: 'It's with great sadness we have to post the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025. 'Please keep the family in your prayers and respect their privacy. #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Sunrise 4/13/1957 Sunset 6/5/2025 #restinpeaceWayne.' A cause of death has not yet been revealed. Lewis was a driving force behind Atlantic Starr, a New York-based group formed in the mid-1970s with his brothers David and Jonathan Lewis. The band rose to fame in the '80s with their signature blend of smooth soul, R&B, and pop — becoming staples on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. Wayne Lewis served as both lead vocalist and keyboardist, contributing to some of the band's biggest hits, including Always, Secret Lovers, Circles, Silver Shadow, and Masterpiece. Their 1987 ballad Always hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a wedding anthem for a generation. Tributes have poured in across social media. 'A great songwriter. Atlantic Star was better once he became leader. He will be missed,' one fan wrote. Another praised him as 'a great songwriter' and 'an icon of soulful love songs.' Yet another added, 'Omg I'm devastated. I was looking forward to seeing them perform this Sunday at Capital Jazz Festival. My condolences.' Wayne co-founded Atlantic Starr in 1976 in White Plains, New York, alongside his brothers David and Jonathan Lewis, originally forming the band under the name Newban before changing it ahead of their first major label signing.
