Atlantic Starr’s Wayne Lewis has tragically passed away aged 68 the band have announced as heartbroken fans paid tribute. 

The singer and keyboard player was a founding member of the New York based R&B group who found topped the charts in the late 80s and early 90s with hits Always, Secret Lovers and Masterpiece.

Taking to their offical Facebook page the band penned: ‘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’. No cause of death was given. 

Fans rushed to the comments to pay tribute to the late singer who they branded a ‘legend’ and ‘voice of a generation’.

They wrote: ‘RIP BROTHER…The voice of a generation!!!!My condolences to the family’: ‘NO words!!! Just Prayers!!’: ‘Rest in Peace! Talented and Gorgeous’: ‘RIP thanks for the music’: ‘Ooooh wow, I’m truly sorry to hear this, my condolences to his family. Thanks for the great music’: ‘Thank you for the legacy condolences to the family and friends’.

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Atlantic Starr’s Wayne Lewis has tragically passed away aged 68 the band have announced as heartbroken fans paid tribute (pictured 2023)

The singer and keyboard player was a founding member of the New York based R&B group who found huge success in the 80s and early 90s (pictured with bandmate Sharon Bryant in 1983)

The band, who have gone through numerous line-up changes, launched their first album way back in 1978 but it wasn’t until 1987 that they landed their first Number 1 single with Always.

They continued to score hits throughout the early 90s with their biggest release of the decade Masterpiece reaching Number 3 in 1992 in both the Pop and R&B charts.

Wayne alongside brother Jonathan remained core members of the band, and together with their nephew Shammah Carter and new vocalists Melessa Pierce have continued touring the US under the name Atlantic Starr Band. 

It comes following the death of fellow 80s singer and Five Star frontman Stedman Pearson who tragically passed away aged 60 in March. 

He enjoyed huge success with his band including notching six Top 10 singles, including hit Rain or Shine which reached No2 in the charts.

The British RnB act were formed in Romford, Essex, in 1983 and their biggest honour was winning a Brit Award in 1987 for Best Group.

The band were formed of siblings – Stedman, his brother Delroy, and sisters Lorraine, Denise and Doris, and they were known for their glamorous image, matching costumes and dance routines.

The five became three in 2001, with Stedman continuing to perform with his sisters Denis and Lorraine. 

Taking to their offical Facebook page the band penned: ‘It’s with great sadness we have to post the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025’

The band launched their first album way back in 1978 but it wasn’t until 1987 that they landed their first Number 1 single with Always (L-R) David Lewis, Jonathan Lewis, John Phillips, Wayne Lewis and Sharon Bryant (pictured 1983)

They continued to score hits throughout the early 90s with their biggest release of the decade Masterpiece reaching Number 3 in 1992 in both the Pop and R&B charts (Wayne pictured 2021)

Wayne pictured performing in 1986

Wayne (L) and brother Jonathan (far left) remained core members of the band, and have continued touring alongside with nephew Shammah Carter (far right) and Melessa Pierce (R)

Fans rushed to the comments to pay tribute to the late singer who they branded a ‘legend’ and ‘voice of a generation’

His heartbroken family were ‘very saddened’ to announce his death and paid tribute to the ‘amazing son, brother and uncle’, who they described as a ‘gentleman to the very end’.

‘May the memories and love he gave to us and the world be our greatest comfort! He will be deeply missed,’ they added.  

Tributes have also been pouring in from friends and fans worldwide praising his ‘sweet and gentle’ character and ‘zest for life’. 

One person on X wrote: ‘This week i received the sad news that Stedman Pearson, the eldest of the famous Five Star eighties/nineties family quintet, has passed.

‘I got to know him well over 14 years, before being entrusted with his unpublished biography which was completed recently. RIP Sted’

Another added: ‘Woke up to learn of my friends passing….HE was one of the gentlest and lovely people I knew.. an awesome dancer with just a childlike zest for life….you made a huge difference to my life and will be missed muchly !!!’

It comes following the death of fellow 80s singer and Five Star frontman Stedman Pearson (pictured 2012) who tragically passed away aged 60 in March  

Stedman Pearson pictured with his siblings and fellow Five Star bandmates Lorraine Pearson, Denise Pearson, Doris Pearson and Delroy Pearson

A third friend wrote: ‘Sad to hear that lovely Stedman Pearson has passed away. I knew Steeman in the noughties when he would often come down to Heaven where I dj’d.

‘He was such a sweet gentle person and always used to smell divine. I commented on this once to him and the very next week he came to see me with a huge and very expensive bottle of cologne as a gift. He was lovely.

‘Sleep well Stedman and once again – thank you for my cologne. I still have the bottle!’

Another said: ‘R.I.P Stedman Pearson aka Five Star , my beautiful Friend I’ll always remember the laughter we shared and the Dream you made reality.

‘Gone too soon but never forgotten you live on forever in my heart & the 5 star/Stedman legacy you’ve left for us all to enjoy forever Thank you with all my heart. Love u more !!!’