Atlantic Starr

Atlantic Starr started in the early 1970s. At that time, the three Lewis brothers, David, Jonathan, and Wayne were leading their own bands - Newban, Exact Change, and Unchained Youth. The three brothers brought their bands together and built a group comprising the three brothers, Koran Daniels, William Suddeeth III, Clifford Archer, Joseph Phillips, and Porter Carrol Jr. The group completed their nine-person line-up when they brought on lead singer Sharon Bryant. The group signed to A&M records in the late 1970s and adopted the name Atlantic Starr.

The group began working with producer/songwriter Bobby Eli who helped them put out their self-titled debut album in 1978. The album scored a decent hit with 'Stand Up' which reached #16 on the R&B charts.

Eli worked with the group again for their second album, Straight To The Point, which had similar levels of success to the group's first album. Released in 1979, A&M felt that the group could do better and changed the group's producer.

In 1981, the group, now working with James Carmichael and with Koran Daniels taking Rentie's place on saxophone, released Radiant. The album scored a hit with 'When Love Calls' which showcased the maturing vocals of Bryant and reached #5 on the R&B charts.

With Bryant going strong the group released the album Brilliance in 1982 and Yours Forever in 1983. The former had the hit 'Circles' which hit #2 on the R&B charts, while the latter had 'Touch A Four Leaf Clover,' which reached #4 on the R&B charts.

As Bryant helped thrust the group into the big leagues, she turned and left the group in 1984 to pursue a solo career. For the group's next album, Barbara Weathers joined as Bryants replacement and the group was shrunk to just the Lewis Brothers, Phillips and Weathers. Despite the lost members, the group had their most successful album up to that point with As The Band Turns, released in 1985. The album featured the hit 'Secret Lovers' which reached #3 on the Hot 100 and #4 on the R&B charts.

Moving to Warner Bros., the group had another big hit in 1987 with their album All In The Name Of Love. The album went platinum and had the groups biggest hit, 'Always' which topped the R&B charts and the Hot 100.

Following Bryant's example, Weathers left the group after All In The Name Of Love to pursue a solo career. Porscha Martin took her place and appeared on the album We're Moving' Up. The album had one big hit with 'My First Love' which topped the R&B charts. While Martin worked with the group for a few years afterwards, she left before the next album was produced and was replaced by Rachel Oliver.

1991 saw the release of Love Crazy which had several successful singles. The title track reached #7 on the R&B charts and 'Masterpiece' reached #3 on the Hot 100, going gold in the process.

Aisha Tanner replaced Oliver as another female lead left the group and they released the album Time in 1994. The album was the group's last record for Arista and flopped.

When the group released their last album to date, Legacy, in 1999, it was with a new lineup once more. David Lewis had left the group, leaving the two Lewis Brothers and Oliver who had returned in place of Tanner. In addition, the group had a new male singer, DeWayne Woods. The album received little attention as it was released via an independent label, Street Solid.