.png)
1 month ago
42
Stedman Pearson of Five Star fame has passed away at the age of 60. Tributes to the musician have been surfacing on social media, with heartbroken friends sharing their grief on Facebook.
One devastated friend expressed: "Very sad to hear about the passing of my friend Stedman Pearson. Gonna miss our chats dude. I have no words. I'm in complete shock." Another said: "Rest in peace bro Stedman Pearson too young man."
Born in Islington, London, in 1964, Stedman was the eldest of five siblings who would eventually form the hit pop group Five Star. Before achieving stardom, he led a relatively ordinary life, investing his time in dance and fashion studies at college.
However, family became central to his career when at 19, Stedman's father and fellow musician Buster Pearson brought his children's talents together to create the band in 1983. In those initial stages, they honed their skills right in their living room, where Stedman applied his dance expertise to arrange routines for the band, comprising him and his younger siblings, reports the Mirror.
Five Star was often likened to Britain's answer to The Jackson Five, mirroring their tight-knit choreography, distinctive costumes, and family connection—a vision crafted by Buster. They first made a significant mark on the music scene in the mid-80s, snagging the number 15 spot on the UK Singles Chart in 1985 and soaring even higher from there.
Their first album, Luxury of Life, quickly ascended the charts, earning platinum status. The pop group took home the coveted Brit Award for Best British Group in 1987.
However, their success was short-lived, as they faced challenges with their record label and struggled with financial difficulties in the 1990s. The group eventually disbanded, with many of the siblings pursuing solo careers, and they never reunited as a complete five-piece act again.
Following the news of Stedman Pearson's passing, fans took to X to pay their respects. One tribute read: "This week i received the sad news that Stedman Pearson, the eldest of the famous Five Star eighties/nineties family quintet, has passed. I got to know him very well over 14 years, before being entrusted with his unpublished biography which was completed recently."
Another fan expressed their sadness, saying: "Was hoping this wasn't true but I think it sadly is. Anyone who knows me know how much I love Five Star; my childhood was a magical time thanks to their music, mesmerising dance routines and of course the incredible costumes. Such a sad loss. RIP Stedman Pearson."
A third fan offered their condolences, commenting: "Very sad to hear about the passing Steadman Pearson of @5starofficial - who were one of my favourite childhood music stars... Condolences to @DeniecePearson , Doris, Lorraine and Delroy," Meanwhile, a fourth heartbroken fan typed: "I've just heard the terrible news that Five Star singer @StedmanPearson has passed away. That's a shocker! ! R.I.P Stedman, and sincere condolences to the entire Pearson family."
In a shocking revelation back in 2007, Stedman reported to the authorities that he had been on the receiving end of death threats from his own father and former manager, Buster, who purportedly warned his eldest son that he 'had a gun' and having intentions to use it against him. The incident escalated when the door to Stedman's Hammersmith home was forcibly breached, prompting an urgent move to a secure location for his safety.
A friend of the singer disclosed at the time: "Sted is terrified. His father rang him on his mobile phone at lunchtime on Sunday and told him he had a gun and wanted to shoot him. Stedman is moving on with his life but his father finds that very difficult to handle and is basically a very angry man."
In response to the alarming situation, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed at the time: "We were notified on July 27 of an allegation of threats to kill. Officers from CID are investigating."
Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.
English (US)