The FIRST Family Of Soul | The Untold Truth Of The 5 Stair Steps

[@ladyjae65]

Keni's "Keep Rising To The Top", much sampled 1982 masterpiece jam! 😊❤🎶

[@TheOnynca]

World of Fantasy!

[@xgutierrez933]

"Oooh Child" is a classic. It is such a major part of my childhood.

[@alvinlofton6101]

The rhythm and blues Hall of Fame

[@sandraandrews9907]

I second that. 😀 The problem is that a number of those singles (especially the classic "Oooh Child") didn't make the Top Ten, which I think is the biggest dilemma, along with not enough airplay. 🎶 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎶

[@eddiesloan2919]

All of them. They deserved to be inducted in all of these hall of fames.

[@GeneralTarik]

Nice vid family! “The First Family of Soul” is one of my favorite groups. From a pure singing standpoint, I prefer them over the J5. My favorite song by them is “You Waited Too Long” but I also love “Bad News” from their “Our Family Portrait” album. They should be in every hall of fame.

[@zorro1955]

Five stair steps, first family of soul

[@alexandradillard2077]

Thank you 🙏🏾 for keeping these artists alive 😊! If it weren’t for people like you, a lot of these unsung artists would be forgotten! So again I say thank you, with much appreciation ❤!

[@crencottrell7849]

I hate that so much of our history still has yet to be televised.

[@robertdaniels3029]

Or recognized

[@dannyboyd9462]

Agreed. Never 2 Late To Give The Unrecognized Their Flowers.

[@bmello3610]

Wow this family had hits foreal 🙏🏾💐💜❤️💯

[@alexmungin278]

They are respectfully remembered by me . I am a 70"s person . I remember THE FIVE STAIR STEPS.

[@saundrabrown-um1xs]

I remember that song "All Night Thing". Back in the 1980's my uncle John was a teenager that would buy a new album seems like every other week when he would go to the mall and when he came home to play his record, we had to be quiet and say nothing but listen to the music 🤣😆😂. I had a awesome childhood in the fabulous 70's & 1980's.✊🖤🤎👏

[@TheTruthcometh]

FINALLY🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 Someone has done a video highlighting the first family of soul!

[@Nille0212]

Ohh Child is one of my absolute favorite songs!!! Being from Chicago I love these guys.

[@michele462]

Yessss. O-o-h child. Yesss. 😄

[@lorrainejohnson5461]

This song is the ish!! It is still being played today and the horns are amazing!

[@YasminE-dk6nf]

That song is my all time favorite, "Ooh child." They were extremely talented musicians!!! 🎤 🎶🎤🎵🎤🎶🎤🎵 🎤🎶 RIP to those that have transitioned. Great video!

[@gladysortiz4067]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING TTHE VIDEO INFO OF THE FIVE STAIR STEPS! May They all R.I.P.!

[@gladysortiz4067]

😔😥🙇‍♀️

[@sandraheggs]

The first time I saw the FIVE STAIR STEPS WAS IN THE 60TIES AT THE UPTOWN THEATER when they released their first album.What a pleasure it was to see them in the beginning of there musical experience 😀

[@soulsister2410]

The group belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. My favorite song OOH Child, because I remember hearing it, on Black radio, while in the car with my parents driving to visit my grandparents.

[@Kayla_Giirrl]

I never heard of this group before...so this video was much needed ❤️🙏🏽

[@PremyeDaernaerTi-nom]

​@@Kayla_GiirrlChances are you have heard covers and samples of their music without realizing it.

[@sandramills863]

11:34am. I love all of their songs. They should be inducted in rock and roll, soul train and any other organization to commemorate their trailblazing efforts. They laid the groundwork that so many were able to follow. So sad that most of them passed away. Great video keep up the good work❤

[@FranklinWilson-ev9dq]

R & B , Hall Of Fame, Of Course!!!!!!!!!!!!! And, Ooh, Child Is Still, THE CUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ernestobardwell146]

The 5 Stair Steps should Be In All Hall of Fames Love all they Songs Met Them Back in 71 and 72 they Really Deserve to be In All Hall Of Fames Music 🎶 🎵 Nyc

[@WashinRob]

I am surprised that they are not in one of the local city's hall of fame. They finally gotten the Spinners in the Hall of Fame last year!

[@djstorm40]

The Spinners are so underrated ....

[@pedward323]

The Spinners had hits after hits ,this group no mater how great they are,had only one most people are familiar with Ohh,Ohh Child despite years being in the business before this as children. The Spinners as a ground are legends just like other groups and have the hit songs ti back it up,the many tour they did,tv shows . The last surviving Spinner not too long passed,but their music remained and still will as I can repeatedly rattle off their hits .

[@Capricorn-mt1ke]

They have some good hits. Wow!

[@paytonbf1]

I remember as a kid that my uncle use to play and harmonize to the Five Stairsteps song "Ooo Child". So, I would say that this song is my favorite by the Five Stairsteps. I believe that the R&B Hall of Fame is where the Five Stairsteps should be inducted into. They were a talented family group!

[@deloresannwells]

@paytonbf1 Invisible Man’s Band All Night Thing n Kenny Burke’s Rising To The Top

[@paytonbf1]

@@deloresannwells I remember those songs, too. I had no idea that these songs were connected to the Five Stairsteps. I just remember they were good songs that made you want to boggie down!

[@jennifersmith8502]

World of fantasy was another favorite. This group is definitely underrated and unsong!!

[@c.b.jersey7304]

@@paytonbf1 neither did I. I just looked up who sang all night thing the other day and read about them on Wikipedia. They had all the same information as this.

[@EyESkeTch1]

Thanks for this jewel..💖 This Family's music still resonates till this day💯

[@sirvant1369]

This group deserves to be recognized for their years in the music industry. I would like to see them get an award for their contributions and talent.

[@dwainwilder7337]

My favorite 5SS song is; “Something is Missing”. As far as the hall of fame is concerned, if there is one for RnB and/or Soul Music, thats where I would put them. They deserve it!

[@Thomas-jy3hr]

ooh ooh child baby make me feel so good, love's happening world of fantasy and danger she's a stranger ❤🎉

[@sandramorris420]

The Five Stairsteps,Great Music,Outstanding vocals, “TALENTED FAMILY.” My Favorite Song is We Must Be In Love.

[@WashinRob]

I did a mix with the version the Impressions did and the 5 stairsteps. I must say I love the stairsteps version.

[@sandramorris420]

@WashinRob, I totally agree The Stairsteps version is a winner!!!

[@loisbrown1059]

The Hall of Fame. You deserve a Trophy 🏆 for recognizing and refreshing our memories of times when life was smooth and good music was the icing on the cake. I'm so thankful that I was able to experience those memories and moments in real time. What a BLAST!!!!!!!!! ❤❤ #THEFIVESTAIRSTEPS #THESTAIRSTEPS

[@dennislee4868]

Hall of fame. Favorite song. Hard to choose !!!!!!😊

[@rashawnda-professor2999]

Good Morning and Happy 2024 They need to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Soul Train Hall of Fame.

[@WanderingSpirit-ld1zc]

But, why?

[@ITsMiSSJ510]

💯💯💯👍🏽👍🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽I agree!! Super Talented. Class Act. Thank you for your contribution to US and The World!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🎊🎊🎊🎊🎉❤❤❤❤💖💖💖💖🤎🤎🤎🤎🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@terryv62]

They need to be inducted twice it just doesn't get any better then that. 🎩👒🎷📀💿🎵🎙💯💯

[@LittleGreyFoxx]

"Baby Make Me Feel So Good" is my favorite!🎵🎙

[@7186MUSICMYWAY]

R & B Hall of Fame. Ooh Child is one of my favorite songs! ❤

[@ontiveros1967]

Love these songs❤️

[@benjaminfrazier5419]

I have two favorites: “World of Fantasy” and “You Waited Too Long.”

[@tommorales8725]

This group was great and there music was great as well for being young they put it down and still bumping today 2024 thank u 5 stair steps

[@roynorvell7953]

Baby it feels so good was my favorite song 🎵

[@LeveUpwithDrLisaHoover]

Favorite hands down "ooh child" definitely rhythm and blues hall of fame.

[@pamelabailey6509]

Great group! My favorite song million to one and All night thang❤❤

[@dawnlosavio4593]

My favorite 🤩 song 🎵 from the Five Stairsteps is 😊”Ooooohhhhh Child” !!! 😊❤👍🥰💕🤗🌈☀️🎵

[@machinelearng]

Nice. I didn't realized they did so many good songs under different names. Especially The Invisible Man's Band and Keni Burke's Rising To The Top. Huge songs

[@RochelleThompson-e3t]

Only one under a different name " invisible man's band" keni had not been with the group for a very long time! He was solo when he released his song.

[@babygirldustin8876]

All night thing was always my favorite song to dance to in the club, ad soon as we walked in the DJ knew to play it a couple times throughout the night, to this day its in my favorites list and I still at 60 yes old listen and dance to the long version at least twice a week, I don't think it got as much air time that it should have. RIP 🙏🏼

[@horacepicou]

Love Keni Burke’s Risin’ to the Top. As a kid growing up in the 80s, I listened to it often and I still do today. I didn’t know Keni was apart of the 5 Stair Steps. This group is before my time and indeed were ahead of their time with their tight music arrangement, beautiful vocals and songs fulled with great messages. I believe the group deserves to be in the music hall of fame as the first family of soul. My favorite song by The Five Stairsteps is O-o-h Child. Oh and honorable mention, All Night Thing by The Invisible Man’s Band. That song is my Jam. The last part of the song is the icing on the cake. Don’t know why no one has sampled it yet.

[@c.b.jersey7304]

Yup, move and groove lol.

[@Jazfunk210]

Had no idea he was in the 5 stair steps either!!! DAMN that was a fire record 🔥

[@dawnpratt846]

You damb right my sister and i use to see them at shows in Philly at the uptown theater at Susquehanna and broad Street in North Philadelphia , also we seen them at the Nixon theater in West Philadelphia 52nd street .This was before the Johnny and the Jackson five . I mean they were the youngest group on tour with the Intruders Delfonics , Stylistics I mean their talent goes on and on . They belong in the RnB hall of fame and " ooh child , danger she's a stranger " ttuth be told i loved all their music . We were child seeking them at the philly shows @ 10 , 11 and 12 ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@theramden6025]

Facts. Saw them live. Amazing family act.

[@alexandradillard2077]

New Unsung episodes are airing in March. They’re featuring Candi Staton, but mostly hip hop and rap artists. What a shame! This group and many others need an Unsung. Another commenter said that our full history is not being reported (paraphrasing).

[@rashawnda-professor2999]

Happy 2024. Unsung did reach out to the survivng members about filming a documentary but the group has refused due to many of the members wanting to keep their lives private and not focus on the negative aspects that happned to their lives within the group,.

[@alexandradillard2077]

Thank you for the Update.

[@theramden6025]

Facts. When they Unsung the hip hoppers I don't even watch. Too many groups like the 5SS need to be done first.

[@theramden6025]

If not 5SS, there's plenty like Main Ingredient.

[@alexandradillard2077]

@@theramden6025 I agree with you wholeheartedly! They need to feature artists who really paid their dues!

[@meandmy2cents309]

The song Ooh Chile is the main reason they need to be included. That song is timeless and has shown up in I don’t know how many movie soundtracks. That alone more than justifying recognition! Excellent group!

[@anthonytaylor7928]

But why would they be inducted to any music hall of fame when they only had a few hits

[@anthonytaylor7928]

@@DLCOrganization like what other than ooh child is timeless?

[@c.b.jersey7304]

​@@anthonytaylor7928Rising to the top and All night thing.

[@veea4731]

Ooh ooh child. You reminded me of that song and now I can’t get it out of my head. The invisible man band had some of the best dance hits. I hope Kenny Burke earned residuals from all those hip hop artists!

[@sharonadams758]

Wow! Once again I've learned something!! Didn't know Keni Burke and Invisible Man's band members are from the 5 Stairsteps! Great video

[@ITsMiSSJ510]

That Was and Still IS My JAMMMM💯☺☺!!

[@TrikelaJones]

The songs "oooh child and you've waited too long" are my fav❤

[@kennethbledsoe8146]

MINE TOO.

[@laskyline]

My third favorite vocal group of all time, behind THE MIRACLES and THE TEMPTATIONS.

[@johngrier4331]

An excellent group from my time

[@brittlyle3523]

Great unsung group. They deserve to be included in all of them. Although not mentioned here, my favorite song by them is "Pasado" from the 2nd Resurrection album. Thanks!!!

[@kpitt1204]

They should be inducted into the R&B Hall of Fame. My favorite of theirs is Don't Waste Your Time. Come back is a runner up.

[@pedward323]

But you have to understand that is your favorite unlike the one song and only one song most are familiar with .

[@kpitt1204]

@@pedward323 Oh, I totally understand. To most of the world, they are a one hit wonder.

[@ritajohnson2954]

My big brother bought all their albums ans records! Thank you so much for this. The music in our era will never die. They are still being resong by younger groups. So much passion from them. I am still a fan. My children listent o them because they grew up on hearing us play their songs. So how can we get the ball to rolling for these LEGENDS!

[@theramden6025]

You Waited Too Long and World of Fantasy are my favorites. In the Disco Era some became the Invisible Man's Band and had a hit with All Night Thing.

[@jayskywalker5049]

YESSSSSS ALLLLLLLLLL Nighhhhhht THANG

[@latoniajackson1824]

I never knew about this lovely group of siblings! I am finding out today they were the ones who sing one of my favorite songs, and that is "Child Things are going to get Easier!" That may not be the title, but I used to love hearing that song!

[@aaronj.brooks1977]

This group definitely deserves to be in all of the hall of fames they have out there

[@4687878]

I lived 3 blocks from then in Chicago...when they lived on 99th & Martin Luther King DR.....we were like 5 and 6 years old when they left to California, I believe !!

[@susanbrissett9882]

The group's song oooh child and Ken's song, rising to the top

[@kimkelly2732]

My favorite song ooh child

[@dfinite1111]

Ooh Child is still one of my favorite songs. A Million To One is an exquisite song.

[@lakesiabeavers4161]

This was a great video, and I remember some of these songs.

[@autumnsmom1117]

I'm a day late listening to this story on Chicago's own and westside residents, The Five Stairsteps or Stairsteps. Never knew their father was a detective. Wow, they colaborated on a lot of musical artist albums. Favs by them were, Oooh Child, We Must Be In Love and others. Rising To The Top by Keni Burke is a classic Chicago's steppers cut. 👞👠🕴🏿💃🏿🎶🎼🎵 I'm listening to the ages when some of the bros died. They weren't that old. They should be inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame, RRHOF, and Song Writer's Hall of Fame too. Thanks for the Burkes story. #thefivestairsteps #stairsteps

[@marvinwhittaker]

I remembered on the movie "Crooklyn" when they were getting ready to go to their mother's funeral, the song "O-O-H Child" was playing and it was very sad. It was also used on the movie "Boyz N Da Hood" when Tre and Furious was coming home from a fishing trip and they saw Doughboy and his friend was getting arrested.

[@jayskywalker5049]

YESSSSSS

[@alexandradillard2077]

I hope they're getting royalties!

[@marvinwhittaker]

@@alexandradillard2077 They oughta gotten some royalty because their song was used in both movies.

[@alexandradillard2077]

@@marvinwhittaker And I believe some commercials, too!

[@marvinwhittaker]

@@alexandradillard2077 probably so.

[@athorpe630]

My all favorite group and song,Oh child.

[@myles1954]

They were featured a lot on ABC's show called , 'Where The Action Is" in the 60's

[@SuperCoolmack]

My Favorite song by The Five Stairsteps is "World of Fantasy." Favorite songs by Keni Burke are "Nothin But Love" and "Indigenous Love". They should be in the R&B Hall of Fame.

[@malcolmmilliner7827]

CHI TOWN CHICAGO ❤ CREATIVE GENIUS ARTIST

[@Odetta-c3y]

I loved Ooh Child, but my favorite was From Us To You. That song was slept on. That song got me through a very difficult childhood. I am 61 years old and I still listen to that song and it still gets me through. Thank you for posting

[@darryljackson4813]

Don't Change Your Love!

[@glovelace]

In the early 80s DJ Grandmaster Vic out of South Jamaica Queens made Keni Burke’s a NYC street classic and the Queens (NYC) anthem. He played that song continuously at hip hop parties, block parties and park jams. Rising To The Top played out of every luxury cars in Queens during the 80s which led to all the hip-hop producers wanting to sample that song. Thank you Keni Burke for blessing the culture with “Rising To The Top” and blessing South Jamaica Queens with its 80s anthem.

[@SembeneNathanyahu]

Phenomenal family and group. "Ooh, baby make me feel so good" is a heavenly sublime song. But these singers could make "Goo Goo, Gah Gah" sound good! Long live the mighty 5 Stairsteps/Stairsteps! @@@*** Sembene Nathanyahu, author and creator of the upcoming bestseller, "Whisper"s Getting Lpuder", in Chicago ***###

[@feeleffect]

Wow! I listen to "Rising to the top" on my motivation mix and I didn't know he was a former member of the 5 Stairsteps. "O-Oh Child" is another song I have on my motivation mix as well and that's my favorite song and my brother bought " All night thing" a bangin' party song from around 1980. I didn't know they did that one as well under a different name. Thanks for the bio. I didn't realize they were up in age as well. Go Chi-town sound!!

[@abarnes1306]

My favs ooh child and danger she's a stranger ❤ for Ooh child "The 5 Stairsteps" should definitely be inducted into the R&B hall of fame!!!!

[@crsmith845]

I absolutely love the five stairsteps Ooh Child is my favorite song🎤🎸🎵🎹. Thanks for sharing this story

[@cliffbriscoe866]

my favorite song is ❤“ Because I love you “ ❤️ it’s as if you couldn’t hear him crying. Full of emotions.

[@carolanestanley4030]

I saw them at the Apollo back in the 60s, and they were amazing. My favorite songs by them are You Waited Too Long and World of Fantasy. ❤

[@C.C.8441]

Thank-you for this!❤❤

[@PartnerBoss]

"All Night Long" and "Oooh Child" are my favorites by this awesome family of musicians!

[@deloresannwells]

Kenny Burke’s Rising To The Top N Invisible Man’s Band

[@jayskywalker5049]

YESSSSSS

[@deloresannwells]

@@jayskywalker5049 All Night Thing

[@lesleycarpenter9066]

All night thing and Rising to the top real classics 🎉🎉 you gotta wake up your body and move it around

[@gosperaproductions]

The only Five Stair Steps song I know is "O-o-h Child"... They were a little ahead of my time... Unfortunately, I never knew who they were... Thanks for sharing!😋

[@deniseandrews113]

🎼 Oooh-oo child, things gonna be much easier 🎶

[@karenbarnes3506]

They are early pioneers. My favorite song by them is Ooo child.

[@smnkhusahuakhuhenikfamnank1544]

Soul hall of fame

[@yvonnelewter-davis5823]

Lv, Lv, loved them..

[@terryv62]

Incredible just a class act all the way around I love all there songs ( Behind Curtains ) was my favorite song 🎩🎩🎩🎩🎩🎩👒🎶🎤📀💿📻🌹

[@terryv62]

I'm 74 yrs young and I have all their 45 records and album and still play them till thi s day... I saw them at The Apollo Theater back in the day amazing that's when music was music 🎶🎷📻💿📀🎤🎩👒....

[@terryv62]

I'm so glad that I was blessed to see The Five StairSteps what a gifted and talented family and always at their best 💥🎩🎩🎩🎩🎩👒🎶🎤🎷📻💿📀🌹

[@dreameryoung38]

was scrolling and curiosity got me .I thought I never heard of them but remember some of the songs played.This group definitely was very talented ,together or solo who belong somewhere in the hall of fame

[@jayskywalker5049]

WOW....INVISIBLE MANS BAND????? we use party hard to all night thing in Detroit Michigan

[@waynethompson8207]

Man I remember so well hooking school getting an older guy to buy me a bumper of colt 45 or a bumper of ole English a pint of Barcardi and a coke and sneaking my girlfriend in the house when my parents were at work playing the 5 stairsteps album and it was on for us. Bro with your knowledge of ole school you know how to make an old man wish for younger days. 😂

[@c.b.jersey7304]

Oh my gosh "ole English 800 it has the power" lol 🤭 I remember that beer. Strong stuff 😬🥴🍺

[@elwin38]

My 3 favorite Stairstep songs are: O-o-o Child, You've Waited Too Long, and Come Back!🎶🎶🧡 She's Just a Playgirl's Love and Danger She's a Stranger were great too.🎶🎶

[@kinglord7707]

At 6:34 Joe Jackson taking some notes from the 5 Stairsteps

[@errolthomas9426]

Pete Rock & CL Smooth also sampled Keni Burke's Keep Rising To The Top for Take You There. LL Cool J also sampled it again for Paradise

[@terrymathis1446]

I purchased “Ooh Child” at 9 years old from an actual record shop. Was always interested in their work before then. Some of the cuts I recognized from the radio, my constant companion growing up. But “Keep Rising to the Top” is on my Pandora today! As a jazz fan, I had no idea THIS is celebrated Keni Burke!❤ I think they should be alongside all the foundational RNB artists who are already there. Thank you, this was great🎉 New subbie! 💜✌🏽✨

[@roderickjones1283]

My mom and aunties grew up with them on 99th and King Dr. Back in the 60s

[@Elwrt455]

Stairsteps deserve induction into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame! This video documentary is heavy!!!

[@MoonlightNothing]

Ooh ooh Child! ❤

[@kathyrucker6945]

This was very interesting history of music....ooh child, was my favorite....the should be in the music hall of fame ... paving the way for other music artists...Thanks for the music history lessons.

[@judyemerson7375]

The r&b Hall of Fame and the my favorite song is ooh child.