Atlantic Starr

Last updated

Atlantic Starr
Also known asNewban
Origin White Plains, New York, U.S.
Genres R&B, soul
Years active1976–present
Labels A&M, Warner Bros., Arista
MembersWayne Lewis
Jonathan Lewis
Shammah Carter
Melessa Pierce
Past membersDuke Jones
Sharon Bryant
William Sudderth III
Damon Rentie
Porter Carroll Jr.
Clifford Archer
Joseph Phillips
David Lewis
Barbara Weathers
Porscha Martin
Rachel Oliver
Koran Daniels
Aisha Tanner
DeWayne Woods
James Turner
L' John Epps
Website www.instagram.com/atlanticstarrband

Atlantic Starr is an American rhythm and blues band based in White Plains, New York. [1] They are best known for the hits "Always", "Secret Lovers", "Circles", and "Masterpiece". [2]

Contents

History

Atlantic Starr began in Greenburgh, New York with trumpeter Duke Jones (who left the band prior to their first recordings), drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer, percussionist and flautist Joseph Phillips, Sheldon Tucker (guitar; parted ways with the band before the first recordings), and three brothers: David Lewis (vocals/guitar), Wayne Lewis (keyboards and vocals), and Jonathan Lewis (percussion and trombone). The band's membership eventually stabilized around Carroll, Archer, Phillips, the three Lewis brothers, lead singer Sharon Bryant (who was later replaced by Barbara Weathers), trumpeter William Sudderth III, and saxophonist Damon Rentie (who was later replaced by Koran Daniels). [3]

In 1977, the band came to Westwood, California, and performed on the nightclub scene under the name "Newban," which they agreed to change at the request of A&M Records executive Herb Alpert when they were signed. Having already agreed to keep the Starr part of an early idea for a new band name, the members decided to add the word Atlantic, because of their East Coast roots. The nine-member band were now A&M employees. [3]

Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Atlantic Starr scored several hits on the R&B charts. However, significant crossover success (onto the pop charts) did not come until halfway into the 1980s, with the release of their album As the Band Turns (their last on A&M Records), and the single "Secret Lovers". [3] By this time, the band had pared itself down to a quintet, consisting of the three Lewis brothers, Phillips, and Weathers. In 1987 (after signing to Warner Bros. Records), the band solidified their pop success by scoring a No. 1 pop (and R&B) hit with "Always", a love ballad off their album All in the Name of Love . [3] Following this success, Weathers left for a solo career, and she was replaced by Porscha Martin for the band's next album, 1989's We're Movin' Up . [3] Although this album was not quite as successful as its predecessors, it did produce another No. 1 R&B hit with "My First Love." [2]

The band continued to score hits on both the R&B and Pop charts into the early 1990s. 1991 saw the introduction of yet another new female lead singer, when Martin was replaced by Miss Black America 1986, Rachel Oliver, for the album, Love Crazy . [1] This album featured the band's biggest hit of the 1990s, with "Masterpiece" reaching No. 3 on both the pop and R&B charts in early 1992. [2] The group toured to Japan in 1992 with yet another female vocalist at the helm, Crystal Blake, a studio vocalist for Stevie Wonder who had also sung the female lead parts on the minor hit title track for Eddie Murphy's How Could It Be album and Young MC's "Bust a Move."

Following the release of Love Crazy, Atlantic Starr's relationship with Warner Bros. Records dissolved, and in 1994, the band recorded one album for Arista: Time . That album was a commercial disappointment and the single "I'll Remember You" only made it to the fifties on Billboard's R&B and pop singles charts. [1] Time (which was David Lewis' last album with the band) found a fifth female singer, Aisha Tanner, replacing Oliver. And when 1999's Legacy was distributed by the small, independent Street Solid label, [4] Atlantic Starr unveiled yet another lineup—one that consisted of two Lewis Brothers (Wayne and Jonathan) as well as Oliver (who had returned and replaced Tanner) and a new male singer named DeWayne Woods. [1] Although Legacy received little attention, Atlantic Starr still continues to perform today and released their 14th album, Metamorphosis in 2017, featuring L'john Epps and Melessa Pierce. [5]

Original members

After leaving Atlantic Starr, original drummer and founding bandmember Porter Carroll Jr. released a self-titled solo album (Porter Carroll II) in 1986. This album featured contributions from several prominent musicians, including Marcus Miller, David Sanborn, and former Starr bandmate Sharon Bryant. He has continued to do session work since that time, and is currently playing percussion in Daryl Hall's live band.

Following her exit from Atlantic Starr, singer Bryant embarked on a solo career and released an album in 1989, scoring several big hits on the R&B charts, as well as a minor Pop hit from the project. [6]

Original saxophonist Damon Rentie went on to a solo career of his own, releasing his first solo album, Designated Hitter in 1985. His second and third solo albums followed in each successive year (1986 and 1987, respectively). He had also previously done session work with DeBarge.

Original trumpeter William Sudderth continues to follow an active schedule in the music business, performing in many diverse settings and having become one of the most sought-after horn players in the industry. [7]

Cameos

In April 1992, Atlantic Starr appeared as themselves on an episode of the daytime soap opera Another World . They sang at local nightspot Sassy's during the episode. [8]

Discography

Studio albums

YearTitlePeak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)		Record label
US Pop
[9] 		US
R&B
[10] 		CAN
[11] 		NZ
[12] 		UK
[13]
1978 Atlantic Starr 6721——— A&M
1979 Straight to the Point 14265———
1981 Radiant 475———
1982 Brilliance 181———
1983 Yours Forever 9110———
1985 As the Band Turns 173412664
1987 All in the Name of Love 184233448 Warner Bros.
1989 We're Movin' Up 12526———
1991 Love Crazy 13425——— Reprise
1994 Time —80——— Arista
1998All Because of You—————SoundAsia EX
1999Legacy—————Street Solid
2017Metamorphosis—————
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Singles

YearTitlePeak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)		Album
US Pop
[15] 		US
R&B
[16] 		US
Dan
[17] 		US
A/C
[18] 		CAN
[11] 		NZ
[12] 		UK
[13]
1978"Stand Up"—1626————Atlantic Starr
"Gimme Your Lovin'"——————66
"Keep It Comin'"—49—————
1979"(Let's) Rock 'n' Roll"—46—————Straight to the Point
"Kissin' Power"———————
"Losin' You"———————
1981"When Love Calls"—580————Radiant
"Send for Me"—16—————
"Think About That"———————
1982"Circles"3829————Brilliance
"Love Me Down"—14—————
"Perfect Love"—32—————
"Your Love Finally Ran Out"———————
1983"Touch a Four Leaf Clover"874—————Yours Forever
"Yours Forever"———————
1984"More, More, More"—11—————
"Second to None"—50—————
1985"Freak-A-Ristic"906———38—As the Band Turns
"Cool, Calm, Collected"—33—————
"Silver Shadow"—13————41
"One Love"——————58
"Secret Lovers"34—11810
1986"If Your Heart Isn't in It"574—1166—48
"In the Heat of Passion"———————
"Silver Shadow" (re-release)——————98
"Armed and Dangerous"—86————— Armed and Dangerous (soundtrack)
1987"Always"11—11173All in the Name of Love
"One Lover at a Time"581016———57
"All in the Name of Love"—51—————
1988"Thankful"—65—————
"Let the Sun In"——28———79
1989"My First Love"—1—————We're Movin' Up
"My Sugar"—27—————
"Bring It Back Home Again"———————
1991"Love Crazy"757—————Love Crazy
"Masterpiece"33—215——
"Unconditional Love"—38—————
1994"I'll Remember You"5558—3243——Time
"Everybody's Got Summer"——————36
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander O'Neal</span> American R&B singer, songwriter and arranger

Alexander O'Neal is an American R&B singer, songwriter and arranger from Natchez, Mississippi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The S.O.S. Band</span> American R&B and electro-funk group

The S.O.S. Band is an American R&B and electro-funk group who gained fame in the 1980s. They are best known for the songs "Take Your Time ", "Just Be Good to Me", and "The Finest".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver Shadow (song)</span>

"Silver Shadow" is a song by American R&B group Atlantic Starr, released as the third single from their successful 1985 album As the Band Turns. Lead vocals were performed by Barbara Weathers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Always (Atlantic Starr song)</span> 1987 single by Atlantic Starr

"Always" is a song by American R&B group Atlantic Starr. The track was the second single from the group's seventh studio album All in the Name of Love (1987). The single was the biggest hit for Atlantic Starr; it peaked at number one on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Black Singles charts in June 1987, being the band's only number one song. The song also spent two weeks atop the U.S. adult contemporary chart. In July, it topped the Canadian RPM 100 national singles chart, where it remained for two weeks. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) certified it silver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secret Lovers</span> 1985 single by Atlantic Starr

"Secret Lovers", released in 1985, is the third single from As the Band Turns, the sixth album from American group Atlantic Starr. "Secret Lovers" was Atlantic Starr's true breakthrough hit on the pop charts in both the US and UK, though the group had previously minor pop and R&B hits in both countries. The flip side "When Love Calls" had previously been issued in the US in 1981 as a single and proved a substantial club success in the UK where its presence contributed to sales of "Secret Lovers".

Barbara Weathers is an American R&B/soul singer, and former lead singer of R&B vocal group, Atlantic Starr.

Sharon Bryant is an American R&B singer. She began her career as the lead singer of the R&B group Atlantic Starr in 1976.

Pajama Party was an American female vocal trio from Brooklyn, New York active between 1988 and 1992. The original members were Jennifer McQuilkin of New Jersey, Daphne Rubin-Vega of Panama, and Suzi Ranta of Michigan with songwriter Peggy Sendars and songwriter/producer Jim Klein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foolish Heart (song)</span> 1984 single by Steve Perry

"Foolish Heart" is a song written by Steve Perry and Randy Goodrum, and was performed by Perry from his first solo album, Street Talk. It was released as the fourth single from the album in November 1984 and peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Adult Contemporary chart in February 1985.

<i>Atlantic Starr</i> (album) 1978 studio album by Atlantic Starr

Atlantic Starr is the self-titled debut album by R&B/funk band Atlantic Starr. Produced by Bobby Eli, founding member and lead guitarist of Philadelphia studio group MFSB. The nine-piece band had an impressive showing on the Billboard R&B charts with "Stand Up", "Keep It Comin'", "(I'll Never Miss) The Love I Never Had" and "With Your Love I Come Alive".

<i>Straight to the Point</i> (Atlantic Starr album) 1979 studio album by Atlantic Starr

Straight to the Point is the second studio album by the American band Atlantic Starr, released in 1979. It was produced by Bobby Eli. The band labeled its sound "classy funk."

<i>Radiant</i> (Atlantic Starr album) 1981 studio album by Atlantic Starr

Radiant is the third studio album by American rhythm and blues band Atlantic Starr. It was produced by veteran Motown producer James Anthony Carmichael, best known for his work with the Jackson 5 and Commodores.

<i>Brilliance</i> (Atlantic Starr album) 1982 studio album by Atlantic Starr

Brilliance is the fourth studio album by Atlantic Starr. This album featured hit singles "Love Me Down" and "Circles". The album also contained the Sam Dees composition "Your Love Finally Ran Out", which was previously recorded by their then labelmate Les McCann under the title "So Your Love Finally Ran Out For Me" on his 1979 album Tall, Dark & Handsome.

<i>Yours Forever</i> 1983 studio album by Atlantic Starr

Yours Forever is the fifth studio album by American band Atlantic Starr. This album features the hit single "Touch a Four Leaf Clover." Yours Forever was the last album to feature Sharon Bryant as a lead vocalist before she departed the group to pursue a solo career. This was also the last album to be produced by James Anthony Carmichael, who was responsible for the group's two previous albums.

<i>All in the Name of Love</i> 1987 studio album by Atlantic Starr

All in the Name of Love is the eighth studio album by R&B band Atlantic Starr released in March 1987 by Warner Bros. Records. The album peaked at number 4 on the US Top R&B Albums chart and number 18 on the Billboard 200. All in the Name of Love was also certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

<i>As the Band Turns</i> 1985 studio album by Atlantic Starr

As the Band Turns is the sixth album by R&B band Atlantic Starr, released in 1985. Following the departure of initial lead singer Sharon Bryant, As The Band sees the introduction of new vocalist Barbara Weathers. This proved to be one of the band's more successful releases, yielding several R&B hits, such as "Freak-A-Ristic," "If Your Heart Isn't In It", and the smash quiet storm anthem "Secret Lovers." This would be the band's last release for A&M Records after a memorable, although inconsistent, run of hits throughout the early 80's.

James G. Photoglo is an American soft rock singer and songwriter from Inglewood, California. He released two charting albums in the early 1980s and had two hit singles, "We Were Meant to Be Lovers" and "Fool in Love with You". He has also performed simply as Photoglo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Friends and Lovers (Gloria Loring and Carl Anderson song)</span> 1986 single by Gloria Loring and Carl Anderson

"Friends and Lovers" is a song written by Jay Gruska and Paul Gordon. The song was first recorded as a duet by Gloria Loring and Carl Anderson in 1985 for the soap opera Days of Our Lives, produced by Doug Lenier. That recording remained unreleased until the summer of 1986, when it was released shortly after a version by Juice Newton and Eddie Rabbitt hit country radio. The country version featured the altered title of "Both to Each Other ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerald Alston</span> American singer

Gerald Alston is an American soul/R&B singer, and the lead singer of the Grammy Award winning group The Manhattans between late 1970 and 1988, recording 25 top 40 R&B and 12 Hot 100 Pop Singles. Alston was lead singer on their most successful 1976 Platinum song "Kiss and Say Goodbye", which topped all U.S. pop and R&B charts and was number one in four countries. Alston left the group in 1988 to pursue a solo career and recorded five albums and ten singles, including the hit singles "Take Me Where You Want To", "Slow Motion" and "Getting Back into Love", he also recorded a remake of Atlantic Starr's "Send for Me", most of which was for Motown Records.

<i>Barbara Weathers</i> (album) 1990 studio album by Barbara Weathers

Barbara Weathers is the debut album by R&B singer Barbara Weathers released upon Reprise Records in 1990. The LP got to No. 18 on the UK Blues & Soul Hiplist chart.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Henderson, Alex. "Artist Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved September 5, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 "Atlantic Starr Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 11. ISBN   0-85112-733-9.
  4. ↑ "Atlantic Starr Page". Soulwalking.co.uk. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Metamorphosis by Atlantic Starr on Amazon Music". Amazon .
  6. ↑ "Sharon Bryant Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts" . Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Atlantic Starr - original and former member William Sudderth - interviewed by Black Pinoy". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Another World: Celebrity Guest Stars". Anotherworldhomepage.com. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Atlantic Starr (Billboard 200)". billboard.com. Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Atlantic Starr (Top Soul Albums)". billboard.com. Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021.
  11. 1 2 "Atlantic Starr (RPM Charts)". bac-lac.gc.ca. RPM. July 17, 2013.
  12. 1 2 "NZ Charts > Atlantic Starr". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand . Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  13. 1 2 "Atlantic Starr - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company .
  14. 1 2 3 "Atlantic Starr". riaa.com. Recording Industry Association of America.
  15. ↑ "Atlantic Starr (Hot 100)". billboard.com. Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Atlantic Starr (Hot Soul Songs)". billboard.com. Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Atlantic Starr (Hot Dance Club Songs)". billboard.com. Billboard. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Atlantic Starr (Adult Contemporary Songs)". billboard.com. Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Atlantic Starr: Always". bpi.co.uk. British Phonographic Industry.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.