Just heard Clarence Burke of Five Stairsteps/ Invisible Man's Band fame passed away yesterday in Georgia.
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On May 26, 2013, it was reported by Keni Burke on WBLS Sunday Classics that Clarence Burke, Jr.had passed away
Biography from Facebook page
You can tell a lot about people by the company they keep....
In the case of Clarence Burke, such company has included Curtis Mayfield, George Harrison, Billy Preston, Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones and many others. Aside from their status as music legends, these artists share a first-hand knowledge of the immense musical talents of Clarence Burke - vocalist, songwriter, musician and producer.
You can tell a lot about people by the company they keep....
Clarence Burke rose to prominence in the mid-1960s as a member of THE FIVE STAIRSTEPS, (later STAIRSTEPS), best know for their Top-Ten single “O-O-H Child”. Released in April 1970, the song has since been an anthem from the ‘70s to the present, appearing in 13 movie soundtracks, TV and radio commercials and serving as a sonic reference for 4 decades. In November 2004, ROLLING STONE magazine included “O-O-H CHILD” on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time. A founding member of THE FIVE STAIRSTEPS,
Clarence was also its creative force, principle vocalist, choreographer, guitarist and songwriter. The group’s early R&B hits, including “You’ve Waited Too Long”, “World of Fantasy” and “Danger!, She’s A Stranger”, were released on Curtis Mayfield’s Windy C and Curtom labels.
In 1970, (as Stairsteps), the group released the Top 10 hit, “O-O-H Child” and in 1976, their ground-breaking 2ND RESURRECTION LP was on George Harrison’s Dark Horse label. Clarence was also the brain-child behind the INVISIBLE MAN’S BAND, whose 1980 single “All Night Thing” is a dance classic.
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