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.”
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.
Wayne Lewis, founding member of the R and B group Atlantic Starr, has died aged 68.
The American singer and keyboardist was a pivotal force behind the group’s success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, which included chart-topping hits such as Always, Secret Lovers and Masterpiece, and died on Thursday (05.06.25), though news of his passing only came to light on Saturday (07.06.25.)
His cause of death has not been disclosed.
The news was announced on the band’s official Facebook page, with a post saying: “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.”
Tributes from fans flooded the page, describing Wayne as a “legend” and the “voice of a generation”.
One wrote: “RIP BROTHER… The voice of a generation!!!! My condolences to the family.”
Another commented: “Rest in Peace! Talented and Gorgeous.” Further tributes included: “RIP thanks for the music,” and “Thank you for the legacy condolences to the family and friends.”
Wayne, who co-founded Atlantic Starr in New York, remained a core member of the group throughout decades of changes in its line-up.
Alongside his brother Jonathan Lewis, also a founding member, Wayne helped shape the band’s smooth blend of R and B, soul and pop.
The group released their debut album in 1978 but found mainstream success nearly a decade later.
Their 1987 single Always reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and R B charts, securing the band’s place in music history
Their 1992 track Masterpiece also became a major hit, peaking at number three on both the US Pop and R and B charts.
In recent years, Wayne had continued touring the US with Jonathan, their nephew Shammah Carter, and vocalist Melessa Pierce under the name Atlantic Starr Band.
Wayne’s death comes just three months after the passing of another 1980s R ands B star, Stedman Pearson, frontman of British band Five Star.
Stedman, who died aged 60 in March 2025, was known for his family group’s slick performances and success with tracks such as Rain or Shine.
He was described by family as an “amazing son, brother and uncle” and “a gentleman to the very end”.
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