Five Stairsteps singer James Burke dies at 70
The O-o-h Chile singer who helped made the classic song a hit, has passed
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The classic song “O-o-h Chile,” released in 1970, was created by the legendary Chicago group The Five Stairsteps. The song has been remade by a variety of acts, including most recently by
Paul Stanley of KISS, who released a version last month. It was announced Tuesday that
James Burke, one of the sibling singers who provided the outstanding vocal stylings died of pneumonia at 70, as reported by
Alohe and brothers
Keni, Dennis, and Clarence, Jr. was the linchpin of the family group that was managed by his father, Clarence Sr., a Chicago police detective who also played bass and co-wrote songs for the group. (Another brother,
Five Stairsteps singer James Burke has died. He was 70.
James died of pneumonia on Friday, his brother and bandmate Dennis confirmed to
Rolling Stone Tuesday. Reps for Burke and the Five Stairsteps could not immediately be reached by PEOPLE. Get push notifications with news, features and more. + Follow
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The family soul group included James, his brothers Clarence Jr., Dennis and Keni, and sister Alohe. The Chicago natives became known locally as the First Family of Soul after the release of their hit song O-o-h Child in 1970.
The group was managed by their dad, Clarence Burke Sr., who was a police detective. The band s name reportedly came from their mom Betty, who noted the five siblings resembled a staircase when lined up by age.
Rolling Stone James Burke, Five Stairsteps Singer Who Crooned ‘O-o-h Child,’ Dead at 70
One of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time remains a pop-soul classic
By Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
James Burke, a member of the classic Chicago soul group the Five Stairsteps died last Friday, February 19th. He was 70. Burke’s brother and bandmate, Dennis Burke, confirmed James’ death to
Rolling Stone, adding that the cause was pneumonia but unrelated to Covid-19 complications.
Formed in the mid-1960s, the Five Stairsteps scored a string of hits, including their 1970 classic “O-o-h Child,” to earn the moniker, “the First Family of Soul.” Burke family patriarch, Clarence Burke, Sr., a former Chicago police detective, formed and managed the group, which consisted of his four sons, Clarence Jr., James, Dennis and Keni, and daughter, Alohe. The band’s name came from their mother, Betty, who said her children resembled a staircase when li
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