Wayne Lewis, founding member of Atlantic Starr, dies at 68

Wayne Lewis, a founding member of the legendary R&B group Atlantic Starr, has died at the age of 68. The band confirmed his passing on June 6 through official statements shared on their Facebook and Instagram pages, noting that Lewis died on June 5, 2025. No cause of death has been disclosed. The group asked fans to keep his family in their thoughts and respect their privacy during this time.

After co-founding the band in the late 1970s, Lewis served as both a vocalist and keyboardist, playing a central role in Atlantic Starr’s rise to fame. He performed alongside his brothers David and Jonathan Lewis. The group, originally named Newban, changed its name at the request of record executive Herb Alpert and soon gained attention in the R&B scene.

Atlantic Starr eventually achieved crossover success with a series of chart-topping hits, including “Secret Lovers,” “Always,” and “Masterpiece.” Despite numerous lineup changes over the decades, Wayne Lewis remained a core member. In the band’s most recent formation, he performed with his brother Jonathan, nephew Shammah Carter, and vocalist Melessa Pierce.

The group had scheduled a string of performances for the summer of 2025, including appearances at the Capital Jazz Festival in Maryland and the Dell Music Center in Philadelphia.

News of Lewis’s passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow musicians across social media. One admirer called him “the smoothest brother to hold the mic,” while another thanked him for “sharing your gift to the world.” Fellow R&B group Rose Royce also honored him, expressing their “deepest condolences to the family & Atlantic Starr.”