[3] In 1977, the band came to Westwood, California, and performed on the nightclub scene under the name "Newban," which they agreed to change at the request of A&M Records executive Herb Alpert when they were signed.
Having already agreed to keep the Starr part of an early idea for a new band name, the members decided to add the word Atlantic, because of their East Coast roots.
However, significant crossover success (onto the pop charts) did not come until halfway into the 1980s, with the release of their album As the Band Turns (their last on A&M Records), and the single "Secret Lovers".
1991 saw the introduction of yet another new female lead singer, when Martin was replaced by Miss Black America 1986, Rachel Oliver, for the album, Love Crazy.
And when 1999's Legacy was distributed by the small, independent Street Solid label,[4] Atlantic Starr unveiled yet another lineup—one that consisted of two Lewis Brothers (Wayne and Jonathan) as well as Oliver (who had returned and replaced Tanner) and a new male singer named DeWayne Woods.
[1] Although Legacy received little attention, Atlantic Starr still continues to perform today and released their 14th album, Metamorphosis in 2017, featuring L'john Epps and Melessa Pierce.
Original trumpeter William Sudderth continues to follow an active schedule in the music business, performing in many diverse settings and having become one of the most sought-after horn players in the industry.