Wayne Lewis — a founding member of the R&B band Atlantic Starr who sang vocals, performed the keyboard and penned hits like “All the time” and “Secret Lovers” — has died, the group introduced on social media.
A reason behind loss of life was not revealed.
“It’s with nice disappointment we now have to submit the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025,” Atlantic Starr wrote in a press release on Fb. “please maintain the household in your prayers and respect there [sic] privateness #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Dawn 4/13/1957 Sundown 6/5/2025 #restinpeaceWayne.”
The White Plains, NY-based band was based in 1976 by 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 members additionally included lead singer Sharon Bryant (later changed by Barbara Weathers), trumpeter William Sudderth and saxophonist Damon Rentie (changed afterward by Koran Daniels).
All through the late ’70s and early ’80s, Atlantic Starr scored numerous hits on the R&B charts, together with “Circles” off of the 1982 album Brilliance, which marked the group’s first single to hit the Billboard Scorching 100. Later tracks, like “All the time,” peaked at No. 1 on the coveted chart, whereas 1992’s “Masterpiece” topped at No. 3.
First signing to A&M, the group then moved over to Warner Bros. Information, having trimmed all the way down to a quintet with the three Lewis brothers, Phillips and Weathers by 1987. Following the smash success of “All the time,” Weathers left to pursue a solo profession and was changed with numerous different feminine vocalists. In 1992, the Atlantic Starr members appeared as themselves and carried out on an episode of daytime cleaning soap One other World.
Wayne Lewis and David Lewis are credited with writing a majority of the band’s songs, and the group’s most up-to-date album, Metamorphosis, was launched in 2017.
