Musical News - James Burke (The Five Stairsteps)

James Burke, sometime lead singer of the Five Stairsteps, died of pneumonia on February 19, 2021, at the age of 70.

The Five Stairsteps was formed in the mid-1960s in Chicago, IL and consisted of four brothers and one sister.

The group, known as "The First Family of Soul", had several hits beginning with 1966’s “You Waited Too Long” and “World of Fantasy”, and “A Million to One” from 1968. Their biggest hit was 1970’s “O-o-h Child”, led by James. The group added sibling Cubie prior to disbanding. Brother Keni Burke began his solo career in 1977 and released a self-titled album which produced no hits of its own. He became a popular session bass player who worked with Sly & the Family Stone, Natalie Cole, Billy Preston, Les McCann, the Emotions, The Four Tops, Redman, Stargard, Curtis Mayfield, Bill Withers, Silk, Narada Michael Walden, and Ramsey Lewis. His second solo album contained “Risin' to the Top” in 1982.

The Five Stairsteps became The Invisible Man’s Band in 1978, releasing the highly danceable hit “All Night Thing” in 1980.

Brother Clarence Burke Jr. died on May 26, 2013. Cubie Burke died on May 14, 2014.

It is always heartbreaking to lose a part of one’s past, and so we will miss James and The Five Stairsteps.

James Burke

(1951 – February 19, 2021)

© 02/24/2021

Musical News - Prince Markie Dee (The Fat Boys)

Prince Markie Dee, former member of the famous 1980s rap group The Fat Boys, died on February 18, 2021 (one day before his birthday), at the age of 52. The cause of death was not reported.

He was named Mark Anthony Morales upon his birth in Brooklyn. NY.

As a member of The Fat Boys, Morales appeared in the 1985 film “Krush Groove” and the 1987 film “Disorderlies”.

The Fat Boys were among the first rap groups to release full-length rap albums. Some of their more well-known songs are “Fat Boys” and “All You Can Eat”.

After the breakup of The Fat Boys, Morales went on to a fairly successful solo career, formed a record production company called Soul Convention, and wrote and produced tracks for Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, and Craig Mack, among others. He was also a beloved radio disc jockey in Miami, FL.

Morales’ solo career consisted of the immensely popular “Typical Reasons (Swing My Way)” from 1992.

It is always distressing to hear of the demise of famous musicians from our past, particularly at a relatively young age. Prince Markie Dee will be missed.

“Prince Markie Dee” Morales

(February 19, 1968 – February 18, 2021)

© 02/19/2021

Musical News - Mary Wilson (the Supremes)

Mary Wilson, founding member of the stars of Motown, the Supremes, has passed away on February 8, 2021, at the age of 76. Her cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

Ms. Wilson was born in Greenville, MS on March 6, 1944. She lived in St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL prior to landing in Detroit, MI in the early 1950s. She joined the Primettes in 1959, before graduating high school. They were signed to Motown in 1961, at which time the group’s name was changed to the Supremes. The rest, as they say, is history,

The Supremes began a string of number 1 hits in 1964 with “Where Did Our Love Go”. Ms. Wilson sang background on 10 of the 12 hits. She was the longest-lasting member of the Supremes, being a member until the group disbanded in 1977. She enjoyed a brief solo career following the group’s breakup.

Ms. Wilson produced a best-selling memoir, “Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme”, in 1986 and a second best-selling memoir, ‘Supreme Faith: Someday We'll Be Together” in 1990.

Ms. Wilson was involved in various legal disputes over the management of the Supremes and over the name itself. She played a role in lobbying for the “Truth in Music” legislation, which determines who is allowed to use a group’s name.

Ms. Wilson continued to perform concerts and appear on shows such as “Dancing with the Stars”. She performed work for various charities, namely Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the American Cancer Society, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, and the NAACP.

Ms. Wilson received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Newspaper Publishers Association in 2020. She was inducted, along with the Supremes, into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame class of 2013.

This truly marks the end of an era.

Mary Wilson

(March 6, 1944 – February 8, 2021)

© 02/09/2021