James Burke, part of rockin’ soul group The Five Stairsteps along with his siblings, passed away last Friday from pneumonia. He was 70.His death was non-COVID related.
The Five Stairsteps were the children of a former police detective in Chicago who left the force to manage his children in their group .“Ooh Child” became the group’s biggest hit in 1970.
Burke’s brother Dennis remembers his brother as “very creative.” James was a guitarist and singer-songwriter who sang along with lead vocalist Clarence Burke Jr. The Five Stairsteps toured with legendary acts like The Impressions, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Otis Redding and Sly and the Family Stone.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]