Entertainment
Legendary 80s Singer Passes Away At 68
Singing legend Wayne Lewis, one of the founding members of the hit R&B band Atlantic Starr, has passed away. Lewis was 68 years old. The group revealed the news of Lewis’ death in a statement posted on their Facebook page.
“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 said in the post.
As of this writing, no cause of death has been revealed.
In the comment section of the band’s post, fans paid tribute to Lewis for his contribution to the world of music.
“Nooooo I am devastated seeing this. My condolences to all family and friends,” one fan stated.
“A great songwriter. Atlantic Starr was better once he became leader. He will be missed,” another commented.
“I had the pleasure of meeting him last September, what an amazing soul. Rest in peace,” another fan said.
Atlantic Starr was first formed in White Plains, New York in the mid-1970s by Lewis, his two brothers David and Jonathan, along with drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bass player Clifford Archer, and percussionist-flutist Joseph Phillip.
“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,” the New York Post reported.
The group’s self-titled debut album hit shelves in 1978. Several hit singles came from the album, including “Stand Up,” “Keep it Comin,” “(I’ll Never Miss) The Love I Never Had,” and “With Your Love I Come Alive.”
Over the course of the next decade and a half, Atlantic Starr pumped out a series of smash hits, including “Circles,” “Secret Lovers,” “Silver Shadow,” and “Masterpiece.” Another big song for the group was “Always,” which hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.
It was the band’s only number one song.
Atlantic Starr was first signed by A&M Records before eventually making their way to Warner Bros. Records. Once that relationship fell apart during the early part of the 1990s, they started working with multiple labels, including Reprise and Arista.
Their latest album, “Metamorphosis,” was released in 2017. The music group also made an appearance on television, playing themselves, during an episode of the soap opera “Another World” in 1992.
At the time of his death, Lewis was still part of the band’s lineup, along with his brother, Jonathan, Shammah Carter, and Melessa Pierce.
