Wayne Lewis, a vocalist, keyboardist, and co-founder of the band Atlantic Starr, has died, according to Soul Tracks. He was 68 years old.

The news was also shared via a post on Atlantic Starr’s Instagram account, which celebrated Lewis as a writer, singer, and producer of some of the group’s most popular songs.

The Instagram post stated: “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 thier privacy #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Sunrise 4/13/1957 Sunset 6/5/2025 #restinpeaceWayne.”

Originally formed in white Plains, New York, in 1976 and known as Newban, the group included brothers Wayne, David, and Jonathan Lewis, along with lead vocalist Sharon Bryant, and musicians Cliff Archer, Porter carroll, Joseph Phillips, Damon Rentie, and William Sudderth. They later became Atlantic starr in 1976 after signing with A&M Records.

Atlantic Starr released their first album, self-titled, in 1978, featuring the hit song “Stand Up.” Transitioning from funk to contemporary R&B, they launched Radiant in 1981, which included tracks like “When Love Calls” and “send For Me,” followed by Brilliance in 1982, featuring “Circles.”

Atlantic Starr’s Rise to Fame

“It’s with great sadness we have to post the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5,2025.”

After several changes in the lineup in 1984, including the departure of Sharon Bryant, Barbara Weathers joined as lead singer, leading to the band’s peak mainstream success. The 1985 album As the Band Turns featured the popular ballad “Secret Lovers,” which reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1987, after signing with warner Bros., they released All in the Name of Love, which included their first number one pop hit, “Always.”

Throughout the 1990s, Atlantic Starr continued to produce hits, including “Masterpiece,” which reached number 3 on the Pop Chart in 1992. Their last major album release was I Remember You in 1994.

Over the years,the band featured several female lead singers,with Wayne and Jonathan lewis remaining as consistent members.

In 2017, Greenburgh, New York, honored Atlantic Starr by renaming a section of Old Tarrytown Road at the intersection with Hillside Avenue as “Atlantic Starr Way.”