Hailing from Romford in Essex and made up of three sisters and two brothers of the Pearson family – Deniece, Doris, Lorraine, Stedman and Delroy – Five Star were managed by their father Buster, who had worked with Wilson Pickett and Desmond Dekker, before setting up his own record label, Tent Records.
Early singles were moderately successful, but it was the #3 hit System Addict in 1986 that established them in the British charts. Their style was very like that of The Jacksons, favouring heavily choreographed pop/soul/dance numbers.
Another five Top 10 hits followed, as well as a triple platinum album, Silk and Steel. A major promotional tour in the US netted an offer from Disney for their own show, which Buster declined. They also turned down an invitation to support Wham! at their farewell Wembley concert.
Although the group continued to chart through 1987 – 1990 they failed to emulate their early success.
Bankruptcy inevitably loomed, and an auction of their silver discs and stage costumes in 1992 raised the princely sum of £1,593.
The group reunited in 2012, continuing as a four-piece outfit after Lorraine’s departure until 2016.
Eldest sibling Stedman Pearson died on 10 March 2025 at the age of 60.
