Wayne Lewis Dies: Atlantic Starr Founder & Singer Was 68

Wayne Lewis — a founding member of the R&B band Atlantic Starr who sang vocals, performed the keyboard and penned hits like “Always” and “Secret Lovers” — has died, the crowd introduced on social media.

A explanation for demise was once no longer printed.

“It’s with great sadness we have to post the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025,” Atlantic Starr wrote in a observation on Facebook. “please keep the family in your prayers and respect there [sic] privacy #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Sunrise 4/13/1957 Sunset 6/5/2025 #restinpeaceWayne.”

The White Plains, NY-based band was once based in 1976 by way of Wayne Lewis and his two brothers — David Lewis (vocalist and guitarist) and Jonathan Lewis (keyboardist and trombonist) — in addition to drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer and percussionist-flutist Joseph Phillips. Early contributors additionally integrated lead singer Sharon Bryant (later changed by way of Barbara Weathers), trumpeter William Sudderth and saxophonist Damon Rentie (changed in a while by way of Koran Daniels).

Throughout the overdue ’70s and early ’80s, Atlantic Starr scored quite a few hits at the R&B charts, together with “Circles” off of the 1982 album Brilliance, which marked the crowd’s first unmarried to hit the Billboard Hot 100. Later tracks, like “Always,” peaked at No. 1 at the coveted chart, whilst 1992’s “Masterpiece” crowned at No. 3.

First signing to A&M, the crowd then moved over to Warner Bros. Records, having trimmed right down to a quintet with the 3 Lewis brothers, Phillips and Weathers by way of 1987. Following the wreck luck of “Always,” Weathers left to pursue a solo profession and was once changed with quite a few different feminine vocalists. In 1992, the Atlantic Starr contributors seemed as themselves and carried out on an episode of sunlight hours cleaning soap Another World.

Wayne Lewis and David Lewis are credited with writing a majority of the band’s songs, and the crowd’s most up-to-date album, Metamorphosis, was once launched in 2017.