Five Stairsteps
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music industry |
| Founded | 1965 in Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Founder | Clarence Burke Sr. |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Soul music, funk, disco music |
The Five Stairsteps', initially celebrated as "The First Family of Soul" and later known as "The Invisible Man's Band", were a Chicago-based soul ensemble consisting of five of Betty and Clarence Burke Sr.'s six offspring: Alohe Jean, Clarence Jr., James, Dennis, and Kenneth "Keni" Burke, with a brief involvement from their brother Cubie. Their most renowned track is the 1970 classic "O-o-h Child", which holds the position of number 402 on Rolling Stones list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
History
Recognized as the "First Family of Soul" due to their sustained success over five years—a moniker eventually linked to the Jackson 5—the Five Stairsteps emerged as a youthful sibling vocal group under the guidance of Clarence Sr., a Chicago Police detective who also contributed as a bassist and co-songwriter. After triumphing in a talent competition at Chicago's Regal Theater, they secured a contract with Curtis Mayfield's Windy City label, distributed through Cameo-Parkway Records. Their first single, "You Waited Too Long," climbed to number 16 on the Billboard R&B charts in 1966.
When Cameo Parkway ceased operations in 1967, the group moved to Buddah Records under the leadership of Neil Bogart. Their sophomore album, Family Portrait, produced by Clarence Jr., introduced their younger sibling Cubie and delivered hits such as "Something's Missing" alongside a rendition of "A Million to One". During this period, they toured extensively with the Impressions.
In 1970, they unveiled their most successful single, "O-o-h Child", which reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over one million copies, earning a gold certification from the RIAA. The flip side featured a cover of "Dear Prudence", which also charted. That same year, they appeared in the film The Isley Brothers Live at Yankee Stadium. By 1971, adopting the shortened name The Stairsteps, they released charting tracks like "Didn't It Look So Easy" and "I Love You-Stop" from their eponymous album. In 1972, Alohe departed to pursue academic goals and a professional path at Emory University.
Later in the decade, after an introduction by Billy Preston to the Beatles, the group signed with George Harrison's Dark Horse Records, releasing Second Resurrection in 1976. This album, produced by Preston and Robert Margouleff, featured the R&B top ten hit "From Us to You," penned by Clarence Jr. and Keni Burke. Its follow-up single "Pasado" enjoyed regional radio play. Keni contributed vocals, bass guitar, and songwriting on subsequent releases. The album saw a European reissue in 2014.
Cubie embarked on a dance career with the Dance Theater of Harlem.
Disbanded
Following their breakup, Keni Burke embarked on a solo journey with Dark Horse Records. His self-produced debut album Keni Burke (1977) included singles such as "Keep on Singing" and "From Me to You". As an in-demand session bassist, he collaborated with artists including Sly & the Family Stone, Natalie Cole, Billy Preston, Bill Withers, Diana Ross, among others. He co-produced Bill Withers' Menagerie album featuring the hit track "Lovely Day".
The Invisible Man's Band
In 1978, Clarence Jr. teamed up with producer Alex Masucci to create The Invisible Man's Band. Reuniting with his brothers and adding keyboardist Dean Gant along with drummer Steve Ferrone, they produced their debut album released in 1980 via Mango/Island Records. The disco-inspired single "All Night Thing" reached the R&B top ten and peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Clarence Jr. and Masucci subsequently founded Seduction Productions and signed with Boardwalk Records. Their follow-up album Really Wanna See You spawned singles like "Really Wanna See You" and "Rated X", but promotion was hindered following label executive Neil Bogart’s death which led to Boardwalk’s shutdown. The Invisible Man's Band issued a final single titled "Sunday Afternoon" on Move 'N Groove in 1983.
Keni Burke resumes solo work
In 1981, Keni secured a solo contract with RCA Records. His self-produced album You're the Best featured singles including "Let Somebody Love You" and the title track "You're the Best". His subsequent RCA release, Changes (1982), contained his most notable solo success "Risin' to the Top". Although it peaked at number 63 on the R&B chart, it inspired Mary Jane Girls' hit "All Night Long" and has been extensively sampled by artists such as LL Cool J and Mary J. Blige.
The album also included tracks like "Shakin'" and one of songwriter Linda Creed's final works, "One Minute More". Keni continued his work writing and producing for groups such as the O'Jays, the Jones Girls, Keith Sweat, Bill Withers, among others. Partnering with UK-based Expansion Records through Sony distribution, he released Nothin' But Love in 1998; its lead single featured vocals by his son Osaze "Ozzie" Burke.
Later years
Clarence Burke Jr. passed away on May 26, 2013, at his residence in Marietta, Georgia, aged 64. The cause of death was not revealed. He left behind his spouse, Crystal, and five children.
Cubie Burke died on May 14, 2014, in Smyrna, Georgia, at the age of 49. He was survived by his daughter DeCoda and a granddaughter. It was believed his passing was connected to brain injuries sustained six years prior.
Dean Gant died on April 25, 2020, at a hospital near Atlanta, aged 67.
Clarence Burke Sr. died on July 16, 2020, one day before his 91st birthday, in a hospital in the Atlanta area.
James Burke succumbed to pneumonia on February 19, 2021, at the age of 70.
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Highest chart positions | Label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B |
CAN | |||
| 1967 | The Five Stairsteps | 139 | — | — | Windy City |
| 1968 | Our Family Portrait | 195 | 20 | — | Buddah Records |
| 1969 | Love's Happening | 198 | — | — | Curtom Records |
| 1970 | Stairsteps | 83 | 12 | — | Buddah Records |
| Step by Step by Step | 199 | — | — | ||
| 1971 | The Stairsteps | — | — | — | |
| 1976 | 2nd Resurrection | — | — | — | Dark Horse Records |
As the "Invisible Man's Band"
| Year | Album | Highest chart positions | Label | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US |
US R&B |
CAN | ||||||
| 1980 | Invisible Man's Band | 90 | 19 | — | Island Records | |||
| 1981 | Really Wanna See You | — | — | — | Boardwalk Records | |||
| "—" indicates titles that did not enter the charts. | ||||||||
Singles
| Year | Song Title | Chart peak positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Pop | US R&B | CAN | CAN SOUL | |||
| 1966 | "You Waited Too Long" | 94 | 16 | |||
| 1966 | "World of Fantasy" | 49 | 12 | 46 | — | |
| 1966 | "Come Back" | 61 | 15 | — | — | |
| 1967 | "Danger! She's a Stranger" | 89 | 16 | — | — | |
| 1967 | "Ain't Gonna Rest (Till I Get You)" | 87 | 37 | — | — | |
| 1967 | "Oooh, Baby Baby" | 63 | 34 | — | — | |
| 1968 | "Something's Missing" | 88 | 17 | — | 21 | |
| 1968 | "A Million to One" | 68 | 28 | — | — | |
| 1968 | "Don't Change Your Love" | 59 | 15 | 69 | — | |
| 1968 | "Baby Make Me Feel So Good" | 101 | 12 | — | — | |
| 1968 | "Stay Close to Me" | 91 | — | — | — | |
| 1969 | "We Must Be in Love" | 88 | 17 | 88 | — | |
| 1970 | "Because I Love You" | 83 | — | — | — | |
| 1970 | "O-o-h Child" | 8 | 14 | 3 | — | |
| 1970 | "Dear Prudence" | 66 | 49 | 65 | — | |
| 1971 | "Didn't It Look So Easy" | 81 | 32 | — | — | |
| 1971 | "I Feel a Song in My Heart Again" | > — | > — | > — | > — | |
|
1972 |
"I Love You - Stop" | "115" | "40" | "—" | "—" | |
|
1976 |
"From Us to You" | "102" | "10" | "—" | "—" | |
|
1980 |
"All Night Thing" (as "The Invisible Man's Band") |
"45" | "9" | "—" | "—" | |
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- 1965 establishments in Illinois
- 1976 disestablishments in Illinois
- Musical groups from Chicago
- Musical groups established in 1965
- Musical groups disbanded in 1976
- Child music groups
- Family music groups
- American soul groups
- American dance music acts
- American funk ensembles
- American disco acts
- Psychedelic soul ensembles
- Buddah Records artists
- Dark Horse Records artists
- American musical quintets
- Musical groups disestablished in 1976