Atlantic Starr is an American R&B band based in White Plains, New York.
In 1977, the band came to Westwood, California, and performed on the nightclub scene under the name "Newban," which they agreed to change at the request of A&M Records executive Herb Alpert when they were signed. Having already agreed to keep the Starr part of an early idea for a new band name, the members decided to add the word Atlantic, because of their East Coast roots. The nine-member band were now A&M employees.
The band continued to score hits on both the R&B and Pop charts into the early 1990s. 1991 saw the introduction of yet another new female lead singer, when Martin was replaced by Miss Black America 1986, Rachel Oliver, for the album, Love Crazy. This album featured the band's biggest hit of the 1990s, with "Masterpiece" reaching No. 3 on both the pop and R&B charts in early 1992. Atlantic Starr unveiled yet another lineup—one that consisted of two Lewis Brothers (Wayne and Jonathan) as well as Oliver (who had returned and replaced Tanner) and a new male singer named DeWayne Woods.
Original members
After leaving Atlantic Starr, original drummer and founding bandmember Porter Carroll Jr. released a self-titled solo album (Porter Carroll II) in 1986. This album featured contributions from several prominent musicians, including Marcus Miller, David Sanborn, and former Starr bandmate Sharon Bryant. He has continued to do session work since that time, and is currently playing percussion in Daryl Hall's live band.
Following her exit from Atlantic Starr, singer Bryant embarked on a solo career and released an album in 1989, scoring several big hits on the R&B charts, as well as a minor Pop hit from the project.
Original saxophonist Damon Rentie went on to a solo career of his own, releasing his first solo album, Designated Hitter in 1985. His second and third solo albums followed in each successive year (1986 and 1987, respectively). He had also previously done session work with DeBarge.
Original trumpeter William Sudderth continues to follow an active schedule in the music business, performing in many diverse settings and having become one of the most sought-after horn players in the industry.
Founding member Wayne Lewis died on June 5, 2025, at the age of 68.
Cameos
In April 1992, Atlantic Starr appeared as themselves on an episode of the daytime soap opera Another World. They sang at local nightspot Sassy's during the episode.
Discography
Studio albums
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Title
! colspan="5"| Peak chart positions
! rowspan="2"| Certifications<br /><small>(sales thresholds)</small>
! rowspan="2"| Record label
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! width="35"| US Pop<br>
! width="35"| US<br>R&B<br>
! width="35"| CAN<br>
! width="35"| NZ<br>
! width="35"| UK<br>
|-
| rowspan="1"|1978
| align="left"| Atlantic Starr
| 67
| 21
| —
| —
| —
| align=left|
| rowspan="6"| A&M
|-
| rowspan="1"|1979
| align="left"| Straight to the Point
| 142
| 65
| —
| —
| —
| align=left|
|-
| rowspan="1"|1981
| align="left"| Radiant
| 47
| 5
| —
| —
| —
| align=left|
|-
| rowspan="1"|1982
| align="left"| Brilliance
| 18
| 1
| —
| —
| —
| align=left|
|-
| rowspan="1"|1983
| align="left"| Yours Forever
| 91
| 10
| —
| —
| —
| align=left|
|-
| rowspan="1"|1985
| align="left"| As the Band Turns
| 17
| 3
| 41
| 26
| 64
| align=left|
- RIAA: Gold
|-
| rowspan="1"|1987
| align="left"| All in the Name of Love
| 18
| 4
| 23
| 34
| 48
| align=left|
- RIAA: Platinum
! width="35"| US<br>R&B<br>
! width="35"| US<br>Dan<br>
! width="35"| US<br>A/C<br>
! width="35"| CAN<br>
| align="center" rowspan="5"| All in the Name of Love
|-
| align="left"| "One Lover at a Time"
| 58
| 10
| 16
| —
| —
| —
| 57
| align=left|
|-
| align="left"| "All in the Name of Love"
| —
| 51
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| align=left|
|-
| rowspan="2"|1988
| align="left"| "Thankful"
| —
| 65
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| align=left|
|-
| align="left"| "Let the Sun In"
| —
| —
| 28
| —
| —
| —
| 79
| align=left|
|-
| rowspan="3"|1989
| align="left"| "My First Love"
| —
| 1
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| align=left|
| align="center" rowspan="3"| We're Movin' Up
|-
| align="left"| "My Sugar"
| —
| 27
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| align=left|
|-
| align="left"| "Bring It Back Home Again"
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| align=left|
|-
| rowspan="3"|1991
| align="left"| "Love Crazy"
| 75
| 7
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| align=left|
| align="center" rowspan="3"| Love Crazy
|-
| align="left"| "Masterpiece"
| 3
| 3
| —
| 2
| 15
| —
| —
| align=left|
- RIAA: Gold