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Clarence Burke Jr RIP

Clarence Burke Jr RIP magazine cover

Just heard Clarence Burke of Five Stairsteps/ Invisible Man's Band fame passed away yesterday in Georgia.

 

added by site

 

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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A real hero In Chicago. Amongst a list of underrecognized greats / geniuses in the city. RIP.

Hope (I'm sure) youll pay tribute in sitting in the park show Bob, his fans over here in UK will definitely appreciate it.

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A real hero In Chicago. Amongst a list of underrecognized greats / geniuses in the city. RIP.

One of my musical heroes dating from my first trip to  the Soul City shop in 1968 and buying the Five Stairsteps Windy C LP there. Loved it and was a big fan of

most of the group's stuff from then on.

So sad for the Burke family. 

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Hope (I'm sure) youll pay tribute in sitting in the park show Bob, his fans over here in UK will definitely appreciate it.

Popular over here in Japan as well...the band enjoyed a bunch of 7" and a couple of LP releases back in the day. 'Stay Close To Me' still sounds good to my ears, as does the huge production mid tempo number, "Under The Spell".

RIP Clarence

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I love the Stairsteps. So many great records of theirs played on the northern scene. Chicago's answer to the Jackson Five, and in many ways better, especially with Curtis Mayfield behind them. RIP Clarence Burke.

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