Wayne Lewis, one of the original voices that defined the sound of the legendary R&B group Atlantic Starr, has passed away at 68, and fans across the globe are mourning a man whose music helped shape an era. Known for his smooth vocals and skills on the keyboard, Wayne played a major role in the group’s rise to fame during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
He passed away on Thursday, June 5, but the news didn’t start making waves until two days later, when the band confirmed it publicly. In a touching post shared on their official Facebook page, the group wrote, “It’s with great sadness we have to post the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025. Please keep the family in your prayers and respect their privacy.”
Though details surrounding his death haven’t been released yet, the impact of his loss is already being felt deeply. Fans instantly flooded the post with emotional messages and tributes, remembering him as a powerful voice and a true icon in R&B music. Many called him “the voice that shaped a generation,” and if you’ve ever swayed along to the smooth sounds of “Always,” “Secret Lovers,” or “Masterpiece,” you already know why.
Wayne wasn’t just a background player—he was front and center in Atlantic Starr’s success. His voice and presence helped turn the group into chart-toppers, and his work contributed heavily to their signature blend of romance and rhythm that dominated radio stations and wedding playlists alike.
Atlantic Starr carved out a unique space in R&B, and Wayne was one of its most recognizable and influential forces. As a co-lead vocalist and keyboardist, his fingerprints are all over the group’s biggest hits. “Always,” released in 1987, became an anthem for love, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. That same magic carried over into other beloved tracks like “Secret Lovers,” which captured the pain and passion of forbidden romance, and “Masterpiece,” a soulful ballad that reminded fans just how deep the group could go emotionally.
Wayne’s contributions weren’t just musical, they were personal. His voice had a sincerity and warmth that resonated far beyond the lyrics. He gave the group not just sound, but soul.
Atlantic Starr fans knew the kind of love songs that made you want to slow dance in the kitchen or call up an old flame just to say you were thinking about them. That’s the kind of legacy Wayne leaves behind—a sound that’s intimate, heartfelt, and unforgettable.
Right now, there’s no word on funeral services or public tributes, but one thing is clear: Wayne Lewis’s music won’t be forgotten. His voice lives on in every love story played through speakers and remembered in the hearts of those who grew up with his songs as the soundtrack to their most meaningful moments.