Five Star
The group was formed by the five siblings of the Pearson family from Romford, England; Denise Pearson (main vocalist), Stedman Pearson, Doris Pearson, Lorraine Pearson and Delroy Pearson.
They started in the 80s with hits like "Rain or shine", "Love take over", "All fall down", "Let me be the one" and "Strong as steel".
Their father, Buster, had been a professional guitarist with a variety of acts including Wilson Pickett, Desmond Dekker and Jimmy Cliff.
After his retirement from the live circuit he formed reggae label K&B, then the more commercially disposed Tent Records. His daughters persuaded him to let them record a version of his recently written composition, "Problematic". It showed promise and he decided to throw his weight behind their career as manager, while the brothers elected to expand the group to a five-piece.
Although "Problematic" failed to chart, Buster secured a licensing agreement for Tent with RCA Records, but follow-ups "Hide And Seek" and "Crazy' also missed out. However, when Nick Martinelli took over production duties, 1985"s "All Fall Down" reached the charts. Heavy promotion, and the group's choreographed dance routines, ensured that next single, "Let Me Be The One", followed it into the UK Top 20. By the time the band's debut album was released, they had worked through six different producers and countless studios.
Despite the relative disappointment of chart placings for subsequent singles "Love Take Over" and "R.S.V.P.", the band departed for a major US promotional tour. Back in the UK, "System Addict", the seventh single milked from Luxury Of Life, became the first to break the Top 10. Both "Can't Wait Another Minute" and "Find The Time" repeated the same feat.
Meanwhile, Silk And Steel, the second album, climbed slowly to the top of the UK charts. It would eventually earn triple platinum status, unleashing another steady stream of singles. The most successful of these, "Rain or Shine", achieved their best placing in the singles chart, at number 2.
Although their chart topping days may be over they are still performing and are now based in California, reduced to a trio (Stedman, Deniece and Lorraine) and still managed by their father.
Albums
Luxury of Life (1985)
Silk & Steel (1986)
Between the Lines (1987)
Rock the World (1988)
Greatest Hits (1989)
Five Star (1990)
Shine (1991)
Heart & Soul (1994)
Sentimental Reasons (1995)
Surely (1995)
Eclipse (2001)
Tracks currently playing/played on the station
All fall down (Album: Luxury of life)
Let me be the one (Album: Luxury of life)
Love take over (Album: Luxury of life)
Are you man enough ? (Album: Silk & Steel)
Rain or shine (remix) (Album: Silk & Steel)
Whenever you're ready (Album: Between the Lines)
Strong as steel (Album: Between the Lines)
Let me be yours (Album: Rock the World)
When you get home (Album: Heart & Soul)
The Megamix (Album: Greatest hits)
soul2soul favourites/recommended
All fall down (Album: Luxury of life)
Let me be the one (Album: Luxury of life)
Love take over (Album: Luxury of life)
Strong as steel (Album: Between the Lines)
Rain or shine (remix) (Album: Silk & Steel)
The Megamix (Album: Greatest hits)
Let me be yours (Album: Rock the World)
When you get home (Album: Heart & Soul)
Five Star Album info
More info on Five Star