Atlantic Starr’s Wayne Lewis has tragically pᴀssed away aged 68 the band have announced as heartbroken fans paid tribute. 

The singer and keyboard player was a founding member of the New York based R&B group who found huge success in the late 80s and early 90s with hits Always, Secret Lovers, Circles, Silver Shadow, and Masterpiece.

Taking to their offical Facebook page the band penned: ‘It’s with great sadness we have to post the pᴀssing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025 please keep the family in your prayers and respect there privacy’. No cause of death was given. 

Fans rushed to the comments to pay tribute to the late singer who they branded a ‘legend’ and ‘voice of a generation’.

They wrote: ‘RIP BROTHER…The voice of a generation!!!!My condolences to the family’: ‘NO words!!! Just Prayers!!’: ‘Rest in Peace! Talented and Gorgeous’: ‘RIP thanks for the music’: ‘Ooooh wow, I’m truly sorry to hear this, my condolences to his family. Thanks for the great music’: ‘Thank you for the legacy condolences to the family and friends’.

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Atlantic Starr’s Wayne Lewis has tragically pᴀssed away aged 68 the band have announced as heartbroken fans paid tribute (pictured 2023)

The singer and keyboard player was a founding member of the New York based R&B group who found huge success in the 80s and early 90s (pictured with bandmate Sharon Bryant in 1983)

The band, initially named Newban, launched their first album way back in 1978 but it wasn’t until 1987 that they landed their first number one single Always.

The band continued to score hits on both the R&B and Pop charts into the early 1990s despite numerous line-up changes. 

Their biggest release of the decade was Masterpiece which reached number 3 in 1992 and lead to the group touring Japan. 

Wayne alongside brothers David and Jonathan remained core members of the band, which continued performing right up until the singer’s tragic death this week. 

Taking to their offical Facebook page the band penned: ‘It’s with great sadness we have to post the pᴀssing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025’