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Artist
The Five Stairsteps
12+ albums
soulfunkrhythm and bluesoldiesnorthern soul
about
The Five Stairsteps, known as "The First Family of Soul", were an rnb group from Chicago, Illinois made up five of Betty and Clarence Burke Sr.'s six children: Alohe, Jean, Clarence Jr., James, Dennis, and Kenneth (or "Keni") as well as, briefly, Cubie. They are best known for the 1970 song "O-o-h Child", a soul hit that was listed #392 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs. The group was dubbed "First Family of Soul" because of their successful five-year chart run; the moniker was later passed on to The Jackson 5. Their work continues to receive major airplay. Initially a teenage five-member association made up of the children of Betty and Clarence Burke, the brothers and sister vocal group took on the title "The Five Stairsteps" from Mrs. Burke, who thought her kids looked like stair steps when lined up according to their age. The association featured lead singer Clarence Jr., Alohe, James, Dennis, and 13-year-old Kenneth ("Keni"). Most of the members attended Harlan High School. Clarence Sr. was a detective for the Chicago Police Department. He backed the group on bass guitar, managed them, and co-wrote songs with Clarence Jr. and Gregory Fowler. After winning first prize in a talent contest at the Regal Theater, The Five Stairsteps received recording contract offers. A close neighbor and family friend was Fred Cash of The Impressions, who introduced the group to Curtis Mayfield. Signed to Mayfield's Windy City imprint, which was distributed by the Philadelp
top songs
1
Come Back - Buddha Remastered 2001
366,8852O-o-h Child
340,9393O-o-h Child - Remastered
101,4604Come Back
56,8285You Waited Too Long - Buddha Remastered 2001
49,8386Ooh Baby Baby - Buddha Remastered 2001
41,4347The Look of Love
14,7048Ooh Child
14,5169Danger! She's A Stranger - Buddha Remastered 2001
11,41010Dear Prudence
10,981albums
The First Family of Soul: The Best of The Five Stairsteps
Stairsteps (Expanded Edition)
Stairsteps (Bonus Track Version)
Our Family Portrait
Riding In Cars With Boys - Music From The Motion Picture
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Shining '70s (Best Of '70s Easy Rock)
The Rolling Stone Magazines 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix, Vol. 1 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
2nd Resurrection (2022 Remaster)
The First Family of Soul: The Best of the Five Stairsteps (Remastered)
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Crooklyn (Volume One)
Stairsteps