Wayne Lewis, the lead singer and founder of the 1980s R&B group Atlantic Starr, has died at age 68.
However, Lewis’s family is strictly withholding information regarding his cause of death.
Lewis died on Thursday, according to reports.
But the news of his passing didn’t become public until the band’s official Facebook page posted about it.
“It’s with great sadness we have to post the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025,” the band wrote.
“Please keep the family in your prayers and respect their privacy #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Sunrise 4/13/1957 Sunset 6/5/2025 #restinpeaceWayne.”
While it’s possible that Lewis died of natural causes at that age, the request for privacy and refusal to disclose the cause of death raises more questions about what might have happened.
Lewis founded Atlantic Starr in 1976 in White Plains, New York.
The group was founded with his brothers, guitarist David and keyboardist and trombone player Jonathan.
They were joined by drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer, and flutist Joseph Phillip.
Other early members were singer Sharon Bryant and horn players William Sudderth III and Damon Rentie.
Barbara Weathers and Koran Daniels later replaced Sudderth and Rentie.
The band had early success on the R&B charts with hits like “Stand Up” and “With Your Love I Come Alive.”
Songs like “Circles,” “Secret Lovers,” “Masterpiece,” and their chart-topping hit “Always” helped them find mainstream success.
Most of the band’s songs were written by the brothers; Jonathan wrote “Always,” and Wayne wrote “Secret Lovers.”
They appeared on the soap opera “Another World” in 1992 as themselves.
In 1998, they won an American Music Award for Favorite R&B Duo or Group because of the popularity of “Always.”
They continued making music until 2017, when their last album, “Metamorphosis,” was released.
The band was in the middle of a tour when Wayne Lewis died last week.
The group was scheduled to perform at the Capital Jazz Festival in Maryland on Sunday and in Jacksonville, Florida, later this month.
It is unclear how the group will proceed after losing Lewis.
Maybe brother David, who also sings vocals for the group, will be able to take over for him.
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