Burke, Sr. and Cornelius were ex-Marines. 4. We were 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, Keni Burke said. father, Clarence Snr was a detective in the Chicago police department and Recordings. The song has since been covered by Nina Simone, The Wondermints and Dusty Springfield. Wed all climb up on the bed with him, all of us, just jumping on him and playing.. Or, send a blank email here. Initially a teenage five-member association made up of the children of Betty and Clarence Burke, the brothers and sister vocal group took on the title "The Five Stairsteps" from Mrs. Burke, who thought her kids looked like stair steps when lined up according to their age. Within a month, Mayfield had them booked at Chicagos Universal recording studio, known for its early use of echo and multitracking. There were very few Black officers at the time, he says. Bill was fifteen years my senior. some of his artwork and he is retired and laid back. 392 on Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. All Rights reserved. In the spring of 1970, the group released their biggest hit, "O-o-h Child" (written by Stan Vincent), which hit number 14 R&B and number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. Relationships. The group's self-titled debut, produced by Masucci and Clarence Jr. and released in 1980 by Mango/Island Records, featured the heavily disco-styled hit "All Night Thing", which returned the Burke brothers to the top ten on the R&B chart. Clarence Burke Jr. said, Dad, there was this guy in the audience, and he was spitting on us., My dad said, Point him out. The next thing you know, the guy was flying across the room with a backhand left. Keni sang, played bass, and wrote both songs on the third single, "Tell Me Why" b/w "Salaam. Detective Clarence Burke Jr. (right) and his partner Luceke Zeke Mays were credited with solving many crimes when they worked at the Chicago Police Department. While Moving to Atlanta, we were a very close-knit family. Chef Andre Rush on a Mission to Save Struggling Eateries in St. Louis Man Caught on Camera Shooting Homeless Man in the Disney Drops Trailer for Coming-of-Age Comedy Series Saturdays | Watch. We give donations to the Cobb Energy of the Art Centre, and I have opened I tell him he did a good job. Cubie is a professional Burke was the lead singer of the group that hailed out of Chicagoand consisted offive of his sixsiblings: Alohe Jean, Clarence Jr., James, Dennis, Kenneth or Keni, and briefly, Cubie. [4] Around the end of 1967, Cameo Parkway folded and Windy City switched to Buddah Records through former Cameo Parkway executive Neil Bogart, who joined the new label as co-president. Clarence Sr. then brought the budding outfit to his neighbor, Fred Cash of the Impressions, who was so impressed he linked them up with Curtis Mayfield. The Five Stairsteps went on to music immortality with the 1970 Stan Vincent song O-o-h Child, three transcendent minutes of soul and hope thats now inspired listeners for half a century. The singles were "Keep on Singing" and "From Me to You", an instrumental answer to "From Us to You". Clarence Newton Burke, Jr. still writes and produces and has begun touring. We knew Stan wrote the Lou Christie hit. Keni is still writing and producing others and also has begun touring, and Cubie is teaching dance. They speak to everyday life no matter where you are in your own life. 'Didn't It Look So Easy' and I Love You-Stop.'. James Burke, whose shared lead vocals helped make "O-o-h Child" into a smash for his group the Five Stairsteps in 1970, has died at age 70. Clarence Sr., a detective for theChicago Police Department at the time, co-wrote some of the groups songs along with his son Clarence Jr., who did most of the songwriting. He was shot in the lower back. Editors picks William "Wee Gee" Howard replaced lead singer Reed, and Willie Ford of the Capitols replaced bass Rob Davis. Stone, but they were unable to capitalize on this new-found position. [11], Dean Gant died April 25, 2020 in an Atlanta area hospital at the age of 67. VOL. subsequently formed the Invisible Like the great soul artists Curtis Mayfield and Major Lance (whose daughter Keisha Lance Bottoms is the mayor of Atlanta), the Burkes migrated from Chicago to Atlanta in 1974. Between 1967 and 1971, the Dramatics made very little noise on the national scene. The group's self-titled debut, produced by Masucci and Clarence Jr. and released in 1980 by Mango / Island Records, featured the heavily disco -styled hit "All Night Thing", which returned the Burke brothers to the top ten on the R&B chart. Learn all about Alohe Jean Burke on AllMusic. He was the real, shonuff police, the son said. It just so happened that Howard was absent that night. Buddah first released The Five Stairsteps edgy, funky cover of the Beatles Dear Prudence as the A-side of the 45. Burke, along with his father, Clarence, who worked as a police detective, co-wrote many of the groups songs, but it was not until 1970 when they were signed to the hitmakerslabel Buddah Records that the group struck gold with O-o-h Child, which sold more than 1 million copies. Right now. Growing up in the 1950s and sixties, we never felt any of the sociopolitical things going on in Chicago. In 1966 he signed The Five Stairsteps to his short-lived Windy C label. When I was doing session work in LosAngeles most people didnt know I was a Stairstep. Larry "L.J." I didnt want to knock him out.. Our dad took us to see Little Anthony and the Imperials in Chicago, he says. Five Stairsteps (Buddah Records 1970), Our Young Clarence went to Betsy Ross grade school and Tilden Technical High School. This is the story of THE FIVE STAIRSTEPS from the only female member of the group. She is friends with bassist Keni Burke through his post-FiveStairsteps affiliation with the late keyboardist Billy Preston. Bipolar Disorder Today Newsletter. The 100 Best Albums of 2022. Some rules are too much to remember, but this should never be forgotten: The summer of 2020 is the fiftieth anniversary of the hit Chicago pop-soul ballad, O-o-h Child., O-o-h Child was recorded by The Five Stairsteps, a South Side precursor to The Jackson 5. STAIRSTEPS Stories! After the Stairsteps disbanded, Keni remained with Dark Horse as a solo artist. In the early 1950s, while on his CTA job, he helped firemen tend to victims at a State Street fire. My friendJoyce Moore (married to Sam Moore of Sam & Dave) unlocked the key. according to their ages. After O-o-h Child the group was signed to George Harrisons Dark Horse label. with George Harrison's Dark Horse label at the behest of singer Billy But there was still plenty of time for music, Dennis says, as James continued to play guitar and the two would get together and occasionally jam. It wasnt his only shootout, his son said. Clarence Jr is still writing music. They occasionally reunite for concert events. Clarence Burke sadly passed away in 2013, sadly again, followed by Cubie Burke in 2014. Cubie, but when the newcomer left in 1969, the line-up reverted to the 5 Without him, especially with us being children, therewould have been no way we would have made it. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. Two years later, O-o-h Child was a hit across America. 5. Cubie died in May 2015 in Smyrna, Georgia. Were like, Cool. We were always rockers anyway. He was looking to sign some acts. Clarence Burke, Jr. died in May 2013 at his home in Marietta. group's material - 'You Waited Too Long' (1966), 'World Of Fantasy' (1966), Down to earth. My children sang all the time and it was just a thrill to come home to my children. The tunes became local hits. Dave Hoekstra is a Chicago author, radio host and documentarian. 1st January 1948, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.), Cubie Edwin Burke (b. The (b. November 8 th, 1964, died May 14, 2014).Vocalist who came to prominence in American Chicago family soul group, The Five Stairsteps. In 1967, Mr. Burke appeared on the TV show To Tell the Truth, and he and two imposters fooled some of the panelists, who couldnt figure out which one of the trio was the father of the singing family. the Stairsteps returned to the soul Top 10 with 'From Us To You', they split Things are going to get easier. They are best known for the 1970 song "O-o-h Child", a soul hit that was listed #392 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs. [8] He was survived by his wife, Crystal, and five children. The soul ballad was written by Stan Vincent (Stanley Grochowski), a NewYorker who began his show-business career as a kid actor on theChicago-based mid-1950s Saturday morning TV series, Watch Mr.Wizard. He later wrote hits for Connie Francis and managed a coupleof New York doo-wop groups. Five Stairsteps (Windy City Records 1967), The The Five Stairsteps initially garnered local acclaim after winning a talent show at Chicagos Regal Theater (in a Chicago Sun-Times obituary for Clarence Sr., who died last August, Keni Burke said they beat the Jackson 5). Cubie became more popular as a dancer than a singer. And we paved the way. The Five Stairsteps were known as The First Family of Soul before The Jackson 5 was known as The First Family of Soul.. Its the chorus on Tupac Shakurs Keep Ya Head Up. And Rolling Stone put it at No. Nothin' But Love was his first album for the label and was released in March 1998. I love of the band members, Clarence Jr., Alohe, James, Dennis, and Kenneth attended Cubie became more popular as a dancer than a singer. It also famously ushered Dooky and Doughboy to jail in John Singletons debut film, Boyz in the Hood.. The following year, Clarence Jr. and Masucci formed Seduction Productions. The Invisible Man's Band released a final single, "Sunday Afternoon", on the Move 'N Groove record label, formed by Masucci and Clarence Jr. in 1983. The four oldest brothers reunited in 1976 to record their last album to date called Second Resurrection . My friendJoyce Moore (married to Sam Moore of Sam & Dave) unlocked the key. Some day, when your head is much lighter. The group continued to record, and again in 1976, Burke co-wrote the groups second R&B monster hit From Us to You.. Formed in the mid-1960s, the Five Stairsteps scored a string of hits, including their 1970 classic O-o-h Child, to earn the moniker, the First Family of Soul. Burke family patriarch, Clarence Burke, Sr., a former Chicago police detective, formed and managed the group, which consisted of his four sons, Clarence Jr., James, Dennis and Keni, and daughter, Alohe. The O-o-h Child backstory is also one of the greatest of all time. Rolling Stone listed O-o-h Child as number 402 of its 500 greatest songs of all time. I am also into gaming and raising exotic animals. Clarence Burke Sr. (left) and son Keni Burke. Initially, they performed as The Five Stairstepsand Cubieand then as The Five Stairsteps. Feb 25, 2021 09:30 A.M. James Burke, a former member of the Five Stairsteps, passed away due to a non-COVID-19 related illness, as confirmed by his brother. Later that year, the group's first compilation, Step by Step by Step, was released. She's a Stranger".[5]. We give donations to the Cobb Energy of the Art Centre, and I have opened The Five Stairsteps, known as "The First Family of Soul", were an American Chicago soul group made up of five of Betty and Clarence Burke Sr.'s six children: Alohe Jean, Clarence Jr., James, Dennis, and Kenneth "Keni", and briefly, Cubie. The Fifth Beatle). Both of them were up dancing. Alohe Jean Burke is now known as Alohe Rami. [2] Initially a teenage five-member brothers and sister vocal group made up of the children of Betty and Clarence Burke, the Five Stairsteps, named by Mrs. Burke who thought her children looked like stair steps when lined up according to their age, featured lead singer Clarence Jr. (May 25, 1949 May 26, 2013),[3] Alohe, James, Dennis, and 13-year-old Kenneth ("Keni"). His children Clarence Jr., Cubie, Terrill and Leonard died before him. Under Mayfields label, the group released their debut album The Five Stairsteps in 1967, led by the double A-side singles You Waited Too Long b/w Dont Waste Your Time, the latter a Mayfield song. The tune also reached number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100. 2 (Part A): The Untold Story of the Five Stairsteps with Rami. Around the end of 1967, Cameo-Parkway folded and Windy City switched to Buddah Records through former Cameo-Parkway executive Neil Bogart, who joined the new label as co-president. Our citys musicians have responded to these crises with ingenuity, vigor and creative brio. [13], James Burke died on February 19, 2021, from pneumonia at age 70.[14]. Thisdiscwent on to sell over one million copies. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. is still heavily writing and producing. Moving to Atlanta, we were a very close-knit family. [4] "You Waited Too Long" peaked at number 16 on Billboard's R&B chart in early 1966. The song would also land on Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. He was 49 and it's believed that his death was as a result of a brain injury he'd suffered some years ago. name, the Five Stairsteps, when Momma Stairsteps as Betty Burke was known, The group consisted of five of the six children of Betty and Clarence Burke, Sr. Clarence, Sr. was a detective for the Chicago Police Department. he cause ofwhich was not disclosed. He is residing in Florida for the moment. Alohe left the group in 1972 to begin a spiritual journey, and later would attend college, graduate and work at Emory University at which she was also a guest speaker. People are going through struggles. We were so young. Keni, sixty-six, is doing fine in Atlanta, Georgia. Join the BP Today Newsletter for information, resources and support. In 1978, Clarence Jr. teamed up with New York-based producer Alex Masucci to form the group The Invisible Man's Band. [10] Speculation was that his death was related to brain trauma, which, according to daughter DeCoda, he had suffered some six years prior. The following year, the group resurfaced as The Stairsteps with two charting singles: "Didn't It Look So Easy" and "I Love You-Stop". Dennis has his own business with Before he could get a third one, the guy took off running.. He has danced with The Dance Theater of Harlem, The Atlanta Ballet, Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. Ooh child, things are gonna get easier. However, in spite of the exposure and limited record sales, some groupmembers became discouraged, which facilitated a major personnel change. She tells her story and discusses her life in a rare interview. She wrote: 'My brothers are doing fine. Copyright Newcity Communications, Inc. 2023. Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. Even though the group managed to stay together, the ensuing years were unproductive for chart action and sales. The O-o-h Child backstory is also one of the greatest of all time. One other Black Chicago cop who successfully made the transition into music was the late Don Cornelius, the founder of Soul Train. Cornelius also left the force in 1966. Videos (5) . noticed that her kids looked like stair steps when stood next to each other The group broke up in the late 1970s. us. Thank you so much for remembering The song peaked at Number Eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and would be covered by artists like Nina Simone, Dusty Springfield, Kelly Rowland, Trey Anastasio and Paul Stanley. Dennis has his own business with Kenneth [4] Both were featured on their 1971 album, which was also titled Stairsteps. The first 12-inch single was "I Need Your Love", with vocals by Burke's son, Osaze "Ozzie" Burke. Burke shepherded his children around the country to sing theiruplifting songs. The Burke siblings Alohe Jean, Clarence Jr., James, Dennis, andKenneth Keni (and briefly, Cubie) were introduced to Mayfield in their native Chicago after winning a talent show as teens. many thanks to Alohe for keeping folks updated with the family. There is no more complete source for urban news than the Electronic Urban Report. The retired detective-music manager says, Oh my, I worked Wabash Avenue, one of the toughest districts on the South Side. Zach LaVine finished with a game-high 41 points, DeMar DeRozan added 21 and Patrick Beverley had a double-double with 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Preston. But he said the voice he likes to hear most is his fathers. First tenor James sang lead on the group's Top 40 R&B hit "Oooh Baby, Baby"; he also played guitar and was a skilled line artist who won three scholarships to the Art Institute of Chicago and won an Artist of the Year Award from the Chicago Board of Education. 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