R&B Singer Wayne Lewis, Founding Member of Atlantic Starr and Voice Behind “Secret Lovers,” Dies at 68

Wayne Lewis, an R&B singer best known for starting up the group Atlantic Starr, has died, according to a Facebook post put up by the band.

The announcement came Friday, confirming that Wayne “passed away Thursday.” They asked fans to respect his family’s privacy at this time. A cause of death was not provided.

Wayne Lewis founded Atlantic Starr alongside seven others, including his brothers David and Jonathan, back in the mid‑1970s. They moved from New York to L.A. for a chance at stardom. Lewis helped spearhead the group’s rise, co‑creating a signature sound that dominated radio waves through the ’80s. Atlantic Starr gifted us chart‑toppers like “Always,” “Let’s Get Closer,” “Secret Lovers,” “Am I Dreaming?” and many more recognizable hits.

The band attained mainstream acclaim with their 1987 album, “All in the Name of Love,” which went platinum in the U.S.

Atlantic Starr has a series of performances scheduled over the next few weeks. It’s unclear if they still plan to perform without Lewis. The current lineup includes Melissa Pierce, Shammah Carter, and Wayne’s brother Jonathan. Fans will surely be watching to see how they proceed without one of their founding voices.