For those of you who may recall
the Five Stairsteps (later the Five Stairsteps & Cubie), it will come as sad
news to you that the leader of the “First Family of Soul,” Clarence Burke Jr.,
has passed away on May 26, 2013 at the age of 62, of undisclosed causes.
Back in the mid-'60s, the
Stairsteps were known for such songs as “You Waited Too Long” and “World of
Fantasy,” and in 1970 for “O-o-h Child.” In 1980, the group had another hit
under the name of the Invisible Man's Band entitled “All Night Thing,” written
and produced by Clarence Jr.
“O-o-h Child” was listed on
Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The group got its start after
winning first place at a talent show in Chicago (their home town), where they
were introduced by a family friend to Curtis Mayfield. The multi-talented
family members were known as well for their writing and producing skills,
working with artists such as the O'Jays, the Whispers, George Howard, and a
litany of others.
It is always a sobering occasion
to learn of the death of one of the stars of our musical world. Party on,
Clarence Jr.
Clarence Burke Jr. [1949 – 2013]
© 05/28/2013
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