The lead singer and founder of 1980s R&B group Atlantic Starr has died at age 68, and no one is talking about his cause of death.

Wayne Lewis died on Thursday, but the news of his passing didn't become public until the band's official Facebook page posted about it on Friday.

“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 there privacy #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Sunrise 4/13/1957 Sunset 6/5/2025 #restinpeaceWayne,” the band wrote.

While it's possible that Lewis died of natural causes at that age, the request for privacy and refusing to disclose the cause of death raises more questions about what might have happened.

Lewis's career

Lewis founded Atlantic Starr in 1976 in White Plains, New York with his brothers, guitarist David and keyboardist and trombone player Jonathan, as well as drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer, and flutist Joseph Phillip.

Other early members were singer Sharon Bryant and horn players William Sudderth III and Damon Rentie, who were later replaced by Barbara Weathers and Koran Daniels.

The band had early success on the R&B charts with hits like "Stand Up" and "With Your Love I Come Alive." Songe like "Circles," "Secret Lovers," "Masterpiece," and their chart-topping hit "Always" helped them find mainstream success.

Most of the band's songs were written by the brothers; Jonathan wrote "Always" and Wayne wrote "Secret Lovers."

They appeared on the soap opera Another World in 1992 as themselves.

They won an American Music Award for favorite R&B duo or group in 1998 because of the popularity of "Always."

Still on tour

They continued making music until 2017, when their last album Metamorphosis was released, and were in the middle of a tour when Lewis died.

The group wase scheduled to perform at Capital Jazz Festival in Maryland on Sunday and in Jacksonville, Florida later this month.

It is unclear how the group will proceed after losing Lewis.

Maybe brother David, who also sings vocals for the group, will be able to take over for him.