Wayne Lewis

Wayne Lewis, founding member of the R&B group Atlantic Starr, who had hits in the '80s with "Always," "Circles," and "Secret Lovers," died June 5, 2025, at the age of 68. No details on his death have been reported.

Lewis was one of three Lewis brothers who formed Atlantic Starr in the late 1970s. His brothers David and Jonathan, along with collaborators that included longtime members Porter Carroll Jr., Clifford Archer, and Joseph Phillips, and singers Sharon Bryant and Barbara Weathers, formed the core of the band during their heyday, though the group would see close to 20 members come and go over the years. Lewis sang and played keyboards, and he co-wrote the band's biggest hits. Atlantis Starr first hit the R&B charts with their No. 2 hit "Circles" in 1982, but it was their 1987 hit "Always" that thrust them fully into the mainstream, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. "My First Love" and "Secret Lovers" also proved to be big crossover hits. When the single "Masterpiece" hit No. 3 on the pop and R&B charts in 1992, it marked the last major hit for the band. Though their hit-making days were behind them, Lewis and Atlantic Starr continued to tour and perform for decades, with dates booked through 2025. The band announced Lewis' passing on Instagram.

Fans on Instagram responded to the news with memories of the music Lewis helped give them. "My 1st concert … thank you for the greatest musical experience," Lesley Sauls Mundy said, while Juana Harris posted, "Thank you for the music you gave us. Thank you for sharing your gift to the world."

By Eric San Juan

(Image: Paras Griffin/Getty Images)