STAIRSTEPS Stories! VOL. 1 (Part B): The Untold Story of the Five Stairsteps
From: Howard Burchette
Series: The Funk Show
Length: 56:57
The Five Stairsteps is a R&B family group which was founded by husband and wife, Clarence Burke, Sr. and Betty Burke, Their six children Alohe (Rami), Clarence Jr., James III, Dennis, Kenny and Cubie made up the group. A total of six albums were recorded as Stairsteps, two albums as The Invisible Mans Band and four solo albums for Keni Burke.
They are know as The First Family of Soul!.
SEGMENT ONE: (only music)
SEGMENT TWO:
Discussion by Clarence Burke Sr. and Clarence Burke Jr. on “Danger She’s A Stranger”, “You Waited Too Long”, “World Of Fantasy”, “Play Girl’s Love”, mentions Gregory Fowler a songwriter and member of the Five Stairsteps, Smokey Robinson, Elton John the musical director of Patti Labelle & the Blue Bells, Papa Stairstep (Clarence Burke Sr.) taught the group how to perform on stage, the Stairsteps harmony, Mrs. Betty Burke speaks about the Stairsteps choreography, a tribute to Mrs. Burke and the introduction of the 1970 song “What About Your Wife”.
SEGMENT THREE:
Mr. and Mr. Burke sang two duets on the 1968 LP “Our Family Portrait”, the 1968 story of meeting Smokey Robinson and the invitation of coming to Motown, the early stage presence of Clarence Jr. and the Stairsteps, The live version of “Don’t Change Your Love” and its choreography.
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Related Pieces
Piece Description
The Five Stairsteps is a R&B family group which was founded by husband and wife, Clarence Burke, Sr. and Betty Burke, Their six children Alohe (Rami), Clarence Jr., James III, Dennis, Kenny and Cubie made up the group. A total of six albums were recorded as Stairsteps, two albums as The Invisible Mans Band and four solo albums for Keni Burke.
They are know as The First Family of Soul!.
SEGMENT ONE: (only music)
SEGMENT TWO:
Discussion by Clarence Burke Sr. and Clarence Burke Jr. on “Danger She’s A Stranger”, “You Waited Too Long”, “World Of Fantasy”, “Play Girl’s Love”, mentions Gregory Fowler a songwriter and member of the Five Stairsteps, Smokey Robinson, Elton John the musical director of Patti Labelle & the Blue Bells, Papa Stairstep (Clarence Burke Sr.) taught the group how to perform on stage, the Stairsteps harmony, Mrs. Betty Burke speaks about the Stairsteps choreography, a tribute to Mrs. Burke and the introduction of the 1970 song “What About Your Wife”.
SEGMENT THREE:
Mr. and Mr. Burke sang two duets on the 1968 LP “Our Family Portrait”, the 1968 story of meeting Smokey Robinson and the invitation of coming to Motown, the early stage presence of Clarence Jr. and the Stairsteps, The live version of “Don’t Change Your Love” and its choreography.
Broadcast History
2010, 2011
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Really Wanna See You | The Invisible Mans Band | Really Wanna See You . | Boardwalk | 2009 | 05:49 |
| Playgirl's Love | The Five Stairsteps | The First Family of Soul: The Best of the Five Stairsteps. | Buddha | 2001 | 02:12 |
| I’m The One Who Loves You | The Five Stairsteps & Cubie | Loves Happening. | Collector's Choice | 2010 | 02:55 |
| Rent Strike | The Invisible Mans Band | The Invisible Mans Band. | Mango | 1980 | 06:54 |
| Throwing Stones at You | Stairsteps | Second Resurrection. | Dark Horse | 1976 | 03:04 |
| From Me To You | Keni Burke | Keni Burke. | Dark Horse | 1977 | 04:08 |
| What About Your Wife | The Five Stairsteps featuring Papa Stairstep | Stairsteps. | Buddah | 1970 | 03:00 |
| Something's Missing | The Five Stairsteps & Cubie | The First Family of Soul: The Best of the Five Stairsteps. | Buddha Records | 2001 | 03:00 |
| Circles | The Invisible Mans Band | Really Wanna See You. | Boardwalk | 2009 | 05:18 |
| The Girl I Love | The Five Stairsteps | The First Family of Soul: The Best of the Five Stairsteps. | Buddha Records | 2001 | 02:16 |
| The New Dance Craze | The Five Stairsteps & Cubie | The First Family of Soul: The Best of the Five Stairsteps. | Buddha Records | 2001 | 03:00 |
| Everybody Is A Star | The Stairsteps | Stairsteps. | Buddah | 1971 | 03:00 |
| Don’t Change Your Love | The Five Stairsteps | The Isley Brothers Live at Yankee Stadium . | T-Neck | 1970 | 03:00 |
| Vice The Lights | The Five Stairsteps | Stairsteps. | Buddah | 1970 | 03:00 |
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