The Enduring Legacy Of Atlantic Starr: 5 Shocking Facts And Latest 2025 Updates

The iconic R&B group Atlantic Starr remains a powerhouse in the world of smooth soul and adult contemporary music, a fact underscored by their continued touring schedule into late 2025 and the recent, heartbreaking news that has deeply affected the band and its loyal fanbase. Formed by the Lewis brothers, this New York-based ensemble defined a generation of love songs, creating a discography filled with chart-topping power ballads and infectious funk grooves that continue to resonate today.

As of December 12, 2025, the band is navigating a period of profound change while simultaneously celebrating their timeless musical contributions, with recent tour dates and a spotlight on the incredible journey of its founding members. Their story is one of enduring talent, significant lineup shifts, and the creation of some of the most beloved R&B hits of the 1980s and 90s.

Complete Biography and The Lewis Brothers' Foundation

Atlantic Starr was founded in White Plains, New York, in 1976. The group's backbone consisted of three brothers, the Lewis siblings, who initially led their own separate bands before uniting to form the nine-piece ensemble. Their early sound was a blend of funk, disco, and R&B, evolving over time into the smooth, ballad-heavy style that brought them international fame.

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The group’s history is marked by a revolving door of talented vocalists, yet the core musical direction was consistently guided by the Lewis brothers.

• David Lewis: Founding member, lead singer, and guitarist.
• Wayne Lewis: Founding member, lead singer, and keyboardist. (Tragically passed away on June 5, 2025, at age 68).
• Jonathan Lewis: Founding member and keyboardist.
• Sharon Bryant: Original and iconic lead singer who helped define their early sound, including the hit "Circles." She departed in 1984.
• Barbara Weathers: The most commercially successful lead singer, joining in 1984 and fronting the band for their biggest hits, "Secret Lovers" and "Always."
• Other Key Members: Joseph Phillips (percussion), Porter Carroll Jr. (drums), Clifford Archer (bass), Duke Jones (trumpet), William Sudderth III (saxophone), and Damon Rentie (saxophone).

The band's self-titled debut album was released in 1978 and included the funk hit "Stand Up."

The Tragic Loss of Wayne Lewis and Current 2025 Tour Status

The R&B community was struck with sorrow in June 2025 with the news of Wayne Lewis's passing at the age of 68. As a founding member, lead singer, and keyboardist, Wayne Lewis was integral to Atlantic Starr's sound and success, sharing vocal duties with his brother David and the various female lead singers throughout the decades. His contributions were central to the group during their most successful years, and his death represents a monumental loss to the world of soul music.

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Despite this profound loss, the group has continued to honor their commitment to their fans and their legacy through live performances. The band, which currently includes founding member Jonathan Lewis alongside vocalists like Shammah Carter and Melessa Pierce, has maintained an active presence on the touring circuit.

Recent and upcoming tour dates highlight the band’s enduring popularity across the globe:

• June 2024: Performed in Chicago and at the Best Southwest Juneteenth Celebration in Cedar Hill, TX.
• September 2024: Performed in Cape Town, South Africa.
• August 2025: Scheduled to perform at the Dell Music Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The continuation of their live shows, including a major performance scheduled for August 2025, serves as a powerful testament to the timeless quality of their music and a tribute to the foundation laid by members like Wayne Lewis.

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The Timeless Power of 'Always' and 'Secret Lovers'

Atlantic Starr is one of those rare groups that achieved consistent success across multiple eras and with different lead vocalists. While they were a consistently successful soul band throughout the 1980s and early 90s, their biggest global breakthroughs came after a significant lineup change.

In 1984, original lead singer Sharon Bryant departed. Her replacement, Barbara Weathers, stepped in and helped usher in the band's most commercially dominant phase. This new lineup, featuring Weathers alongside the Lewis brothers, released the album *As the Band Turns* in 1985, which featured the massive hit "Secret Lovers."

The song "Secret Lovers" became an instant classic, dominating both the R&B and Pop charts. The band’s biggest success, however, came with the 1987 power ballad "Always."

The Anatomy of a Legendary Ballad

"Always" is arguably Atlantic Starr's most famous song, a quintessential R&B/Adult Contemporary ballad that cemented their place in music history. The song reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a remarkable feat for a soul group at the time.

The success of these songs, alongside other hits like "Circles," "If Your Heart Isn't In It," and "Masterpiece," established Atlantic Starr as masters of the romantic ballad, a reputation that has allowed their music to be continuously streamed, sampled, and performed decades later. Their ability to blend sophisticated R&B arrangements with deeply emotional lyrics gave them a distinct edge in the competitive music landscape of the 80s.

Even today, the influence of Atlantic Starr is felt, as demonstrated by the R&B group Az Yet, who released a tribute cover of Atlantic Starr's hit "Send for Me" in April 2024, introducing their sound to a new generation of listeners.

The Underrated Impact on Smooth Soul and R&B

While groups like Earth, Wind & Fire or Commodores often receive "supergroup" status, Atlantic Starr is frequently cited as one of the most consistently successful—and perhaps underrated—soul bands of their era. Their discography is a treasure trove of smooth soul and funk that is essential listening for any R&B enthusiast.

Their musical journey, spanning from their funk-infused beginnings to their chart-topping adult contemporary ballads, showcases a remarkable versatility. The transitions in their sound, often necessitated by changes in lead vocalists, never compromised the quality of their music, proving the strength of the Lewis brothers' underlying musical vision. From the early funk of "Circles" to the smooth sophistication of "Masterpiece," Atlantic Starr created a blueprint for crossover R&B success.

The continued demand for their live shows in 2024 and 2025, even following the heartbreaking news of Wayne Lewis's passing, proves that the legacy of Atlantic Starr is far from over. Their music is a permanent fixture on classic R&B and Quiet Storm radio, ensuring that their timeless love songs will continue to soundtrack romantic moments for generations to come.