Atlantic Starr shines brightly during first DMV return since bandleader's untimely death

By Timothy Cox/for Patchonline.com

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BETHESDA, MARYLAND --- Atlantic Starr took the stage Saturday night in what developed into an emotion-filled performance of sweet soul music and classic RnB.

No opening act required

During their (Oct. 10, 2026) return to suburban Washington, DC, the White Plains, NY-based band delivered their legendary sounds to a mature crowd itching to experience the group's always consistent soulful compositions.
This marked their first return to the DMV since the untimely and shocking death of bandleader Wayne Lewis in June 2025. Reportedly, he died while exercising on a treadmill. Lewis was a co-founder of the group, along with brothers Jonathan Lewis and David Lewis.
During their 95-minute show, female singer Melessa Pierce and Shammah Carter, easily handled front-lead vocals and would've made their deceased bandleader very proud.
In fact, the entire concert was a masterclass-demonstration in how "the show must go on, even when you're faced with unexpected odds."

The nine-piece group included several Lewis family members, including a lead guitarist who happens to be former lead singer, David Lewis' son. Keyboardist Jonathan Lewis, traditionally a man of few words onstage, expressed thanks to the audience for their condolences and well-wishes for his younger brother.

The unnamed music director (MD)/keyboardist, also a nephew of the brothers, told the audience that he's the computer technician of the group - and explained that he had incorporated new-technology to effectively synch several past videos of Wayne Lewis singing "Send For Me," while the band live-performed the actual song. Videos of Wayne singing his signature tune on the big screen was powerful, and looking around the room, it was obvious that several concertgoers were emotionally rocked - some even shedding tears. But the overall mood of the show was expectedly positive, as the band so smoothly glided into hits like "Always," "When Love Calls," and their opening tune, "Circles" that was led by original lead singer Sharon Bryant. By 1985, after Bryant left for solo success, replacement singer Barbara Weathers of Greensboro, N.C., recorded "Silver Shadow," "Secret Lovers" and "If Your Heart Isn't In It."

Needless to say, most patrons at the 500-seat Bethesda Blues Theater, were fully satisfied on this warm seasonable Saturday night in suburban DC. Unlike the 18,000-seat arenas attracting acts like Chris Brown, Taylor Swift, Usher and Beyoncé these days, the mature audiences seem to be quite satisfied with the smaller venues. Available drinks, dinner and good conversation, also makes for a comfortable good time, as well.

Afterall, we've been there and done all the major concert halls back in our days!

(ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Timothy Cox is a longtime music reviewer, photographer and professional musician. He's a member of the Jazz Journalists Society and the National Association of Black Journalists. He can be reached at teacawks2@gmail.com).