Five Stairsteps
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Biography
Formed in 1965 in Chicago, Illinois, The Five Stairsteps was a soul group best known for their 1970 hit âO-o-h Childâ. Nicknamed the âFirst Family of Soulâ, the vocal quintet featured five (of six) Burke siblings - Keni, Alohe Jean, Dennis, James, and Clarence Jr. - all of whom were still in their teens. Their father, Clarence Burke, Sr., was originally a detective for the Chicago Police Department, but focused his attention on managing his children, playing bass, and co-writing songs. After winning a talent show, they were eventually signed to Curtis Mayfieldâs Windy City label, which was distributed by Cameo/Parkway. Their 1966 debut single, âYou Waited Too Longâ, reached Number 16 on Billboardâs R&B Singles chart and Number 94 in the Hot 100. After the release of their self-titled 1967 debut album, Cameo/Parkway shut down and Windy Cityâs distribution moved over to Buddah Records. The sixth Burke sibling â the non-singing three-year-old Cubie - was added to the line up and their 1968 album Our Family Portrait was released under the group name The Five Stairsteps & Cubie, as was 1969âs Loveâs Happening. After the brief dalliance with little brother Cubie, The Five Stairsteps returned as a quintet with the 1970 album Stairsteps. The album included the single âO-o-h Childâ, which was a massive hit, reaching Number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The songâs B-side, a cover of The Beatlesâ âDear Prudenceâ, also landed in the Hot 100. However, the group was unable to maintain the success. After a 1970 compilation, Step by Step by Step, the group changed their name to The Stairsteps and released their self-titled album in 1971. Barely entering the Billboard 200 Albums chart (Number 199), the groupâs future prospects were dim. Alohe Jean departed the Stairsteps to pursue spiritual interests and the band languished in obscurity for years. Legendary keyboardist Billy Preston guided the group towards former Beatles member George Harrison, who signed them to his Dark Horse Records label. They released the album Second Resurrection in 1976, but it failed to turn things around for the group and they disbanded. Keni Burke pursued a solo career while Clarence, Jr. formed a new group called The Invisible Manâs Band, recruiting Keni, James, and Dennis to join this disco-oriented project. The single âAll Night Thingâ (1980) reached Number 9 on the R&B Singles chart, but the group was unable to follow that up with another hit and split up. Keni Burke continued with a moderately successful solo career. Clarence Burke, Jr. died on May 26, 2013. Cubie Burkeâs death followed almost exactly a year later on May 14, 2014. The groupâs father (and manager) Clarence Burke, Sr. died on July 16, 2020. James Burke passed away on February 19, 2021.
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Albums
Top Tracks
- Track Popularity
- O-o-h Child
- From Us To You
- Pasado
- Tell Me Who
- World Of Fantasy
- Friction by Five Stairsteps
- Peace Is Gonna Come
- Didn't It Look So Easy
- Danger! She's A Stranger
- The Touch Of You
- Come Back
- Time
- Thrownin' Stones Atcha
- Theme Of Angels
- Lifting 2nd Resurrection
- Tell Me Why
- Salaam
- You Don't Love Me
- Far East
- The Girl I Love
- Ain't Gonna Rest (Till I Get You)
- Ooh Baby Baby
- In The Beginning
