Five Stairsteps Lead Singer Clarence Burke Jr. 1951-2013 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 05-28-2013, 01:31 AM

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The lead singer for the family group The Five Stairsteps - Clarance Burke Jr. - has died at age 62. No details about his death have been released.

Burke, along with his siblings - James, Kenneth, Dennis, , and later Cubie - were members of the sixties soul group The Five Stairsteps - often referred to as "the first family of soul". The children and their father formed the band in 1958; playing in and around their home of Chicago. After winning a talent contest, the family band signed on with Curtis Mayfield where they had a series of minor hits until they landed the top10 hit "O-o-h Child" - a song that has appeared on a number of films and television shows over the past 40 years.

More than just a member of The Five Stairsteps, Burke was the principal singer, band's choreographer, guitarist, and songwriter. Later Clarance also became the band's producer.

The band broke up in 1972, but reformed again in 1976; only to break up for good in 1979. Clarance and his brother Keni formed The Invisible Man's Band who had a hit with "All Night Thing" in 1980. That band too broke up in 1983 and Clarance went solo. He was in the process of working on another tour at the time of his death.

Over the course of his musical career, Burke has worked with musical legends Curtis Mayfield, George Harrison, Billy Preston, Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder, and Quincy Jones.

Marvo301 · 05-28-2013, 01:44 PM

Clarence Burke Jr.

MickeyMac · 05-28-2013, 02:09 PM

Check out their Windy C stuff.

AB · 05-28-2013, 04:26 PM

Rest in peace.

Penny Lane · 05-30-2013, 12:19 AM

Rest In Peace Clarence

05-28-2013, 01:31 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,388	Five Stairsteps Lead Singer Clarence Burke Jr. 1951-2013 Link The lead singer for the family group The Five Stairsteps - Clarance Burke Jr. - has died at age 62. No details about his death have been released. Burke, along with his siblings - James, Kenneth, Dennis, , and later Cubie - were members of the sixties soul group The Five Stairsteps - often referred to as "the first family of soul". The children and their father formed the band in 1958; playing in and around their home of Chicago. After winning a talent contest, the family band signed on with Curtis Mayfield where they had a series of minor hits until they landed the top10 hit "O-o-h Child" - a song that has appeared on a number of films and television shows over the past 40 years. More than just a member of The Five Stairsteps, Burke was the principal singer, band's choreographer, guitarist, and songwriter. Later Clarance also became the band's producer. The band broke up in 1972, but reformed again in 1976; only to break up for good in 1979. Clarance and his brother Keni formed The Invisible Man's Band who had a hit with "All Night Thing" in 1980. That band too broke up in 1983 and Clarance went solo. He was in the process of working on another tour at the time of his death. Over the course of his musical career, Burke has worked with musical legends Curtis Mayfield, George Harrison, Billy Preston, Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder, and Quincy Jones.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

05-28-2013, 01:44 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	Clarence Burke Jr.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-30-2013, 12:19 AM	#5
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,236	Rest In Peace Clarence
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

05-28-2013, 02:09 PM	#3
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	Check out their Windy C stuff.

05-28-2013, 04:26 PM	#4
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	Rest in peace.