Alohe Jean Burke, eldest sister from The Five Stairsteps, who sang in a lower register and why she never sang in a higher register
The Five Stairsteps were a family soul group from Chicago, Illinois. They were a group of 6 children, named, Alohe Jean, Cubie, Kenneth, Clarence Jr., James and Dennis from The Burke family, who were the 5 sons and 1 daughter of their parents Clarence Sr. & Betty Burke. They were sometimes led by Alohe Burke, who sang all the low notes on “O-o-h Child” while they were led by Clarence Jr.. They first sang in the 1960s and were most popular in the 1970s.
The Five Stairsteps were a popular soul vocal group of the 1960s and 1970s, who had 13 consecutive top 20 hits on the R&B Chart and Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S. Their most successful song was 1966's "You Waited Too Long".
Alohe Burke is a retired member from that group. She was an accomplished singer and her low register and natural vocal capability had made her famous. That’s why the bipolar disorder caused her voice to become deep and throaty. She’s not like Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Thelma Houston or Natalie Cole singing in a higher register. She’s way before Ruth Pointer from The Pointer Sisters, sometimes Deborah Harry from Blondie, Patty Donahue from The Waitresses, Tionne Watkins from TLC, Meshell Ndegeocello, Tanita Tikaram, who sang “Twist in My Sobriety”, “Only the Ones We Love” and “We Almost Got It Together” and Tracy Chapman, singing in a lower register The reason why she could not reach all the high notes in the higher register is because she felt that it’s too hurtful for her voice.
This article will provide a brief overview of the many different styles of African American female vocalists. They will range from the most famous, The Five Stairsteps, to the lesser-known Alohe Burke. Each will be discussed in detail, including their vocal ranges, and their styles of singing.