Stedman Pearson
Encyclopedia
Stedman Pearson is an English
singer and dancer, most notable for being a member of the pop group Five Star
with his four siblings.
s, and he studied both dance and fashion at college prior to embarking on a career in music. In 1983, Pearson (then aged 19) joined his teenaged brother and sisters in Five Star, which was created and managed by their father, former musician Buster Pearson
. In addition to performing backing vocals, Stedman's interest in dance and fashion would play an integral role in the group and he began designing some of the outfits that would ultimately become the group's trademark matching stage costumes. The glittering costumes coupled with their synchronised dance routines often led to comparisons with The Jackson Five. The group achieved huge commercial success in the mid 1980s, with their second album Silk & Steel reaching no.1 and selling in excess of 1.2 million copies in the UK alone. By the end of the decade, they had achieved fifteen UK Top 40 hit singles and four Top 20 albums (three of them reaching Platinum status). Pearson would join his four siblings on stage at the 1987 Brit Awards
where they won the category for "Best Group". However, their popularity declined and did not continue into the 1990s, even though the group continued to record.
In 1989, amid reports of bankruptcy, Pearson and his family were forced to move out of their opulent Berkshire mansion which they had bought in 1987. They moved first to Hatfield
and then over to the United States
in an attempt to revive their career. However, further commercial success eluded them throughout the 1990s, and by 2001 the group had downsized to a trio, with Stedman, Denise
, and Lorraine Pearson
being the only remaining members. This version of the group performed on the Here and Now Tour
in 2002 along with various other pop acts of the 1980s. Pearson would continue to appear with sister Denise and three backing dancers billed as Five Star up until 2008, making appearances at Butlins Holiday Camps
in the UK.
Though not primarily a songwriter, Pearson gained a writing credit for the B-side tracks "Pure Energy" (1986) and "Stone Court" (1987), an instrumental track named after the Berkshire mansion the family had moved into. He also co-wrote the track "Feelings" with sister Doris
for the group's 1990 self-titled album
.
hire service and also taught dance at a school in London. In September 2006, Pearson utilised his dance skills and appeared as a contestant on the UK
Channel 5 programme The All Star Talent Show
in which he finished in third place. In 2007, Pearson announced that he was recording his first solo album, although this yet remains to be released. In 2008, Pearson was one of the contestants on the BBC reality show Celebrity Scissorhands
, in which celebrities become hairdressers in aid of Children In Need
. In September 2009, after already teaching dance at a school in London, Pearson began working at the Derngate Gym in Northampton
, holding a weekly 'jazz dance' class at the facility.
after being arrested in a public toilet in New Malden
in London.
In July 2007, it was reported that police had been called to Pearson's home after he claimed to have received death threats from his father and former manager, Buster Pearson
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
singer and dancer, most notable for being a member of the pop group Five Star
Five Star
Five Star are a British pop / R&B group, formed in 1983. Comprising siblings Stedman, Lorraine, Denise, Doris and Delroy Pearson, they were known for their flamboyant image, matching costumes and heavily choreographed dance routines...
with his four siblings.
Career
Pearson is the eldest of five siblingSibling
Siblings are people who share at least one parent. A male sibling is called a brother; and a female sibling is called a sister. In most societies throughout the world, siblings usually grow up together and spend a good deal of their childhood socializing with one another...
s, and he studied both dance and fashion at college prior to embarking on a career in music. In 1983, Pearson (then aged 19) joined his teenaged brother and sisters in Five Star, which was created and managed by their father, former musician Buster Pearson
Buster Pearson
Buster Pearson is the father and former manager of British pop group Five Star. He also owns and runs Tent Records. He moved to the UK in the late 1960s and toured as a guitarist with the likes of Otis Redding, Jimmy Cliff, Wilson Pickett and Desmond Dekker...
. In addition to performing backing vocals, Stedman's interest in dance and fashion would play an integral role in the group and he began designing some of the outfits that would ultimately become the group's trademark matching stage costumes. The glittering costumes coupled with their synchronised dance routines often led to comparisons with The Jackson Five. The group achieved huge commercial success in the mid 1980s, with their second album Silk & Steel reaching no.1 and selling in excess of 1.2 million copies in the UK alone. By the end of the decade, they had achieved fifteen UK Top 40 hit singles and four Top 20 albums (three of them reaching Platinum status). Pearson would join his four siblings on stage at the 1987 Brit Awards
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
where they won the category for "Best Group". However, their popularity declined and did not continue into the 1990s, even though the group continued to record.
In 1989, amid reports of bankruptcy, Pearson and his family were forced to move out of their opulent Berkshire mansion which they had bought in 1987. They moved first to Hatfield
Hatfield
- Places :Hatfield is the name of several places around the world. It comes from O.E. Haeth field , meaning field of heather.In Australia*Hatfield, New South Wales, located in the Electoral district of Murray-DarlingIn England:...
and then over to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in an attempt to revive their career. However, further commercial success eluded them throughout the 1990s, and by 2001 the group had downsized to a trio, with Stedman, Denise
Denise Pearson
Denise Pearson is an English singer-songwriter. She is best known for being the lead vocalist with the British pop/R&B group Five Star, which comprised herself and her four siblings. The group was created and managed by their father, Buster Pearson, in 1983...
, and Lorraine Pearson
Lorraine Pearson
Lorraine Pearson is a British singer and a member of the pop group, Five Star. Pearson does most of the talking in interviews, and is regarded as spokesperson of the group...
being the only remaining members. This version of the group performed on the Here and Now Tour
Here and Now Tour
The Here and Now Tour is a series of concert tours, which began in 2001, featuring groups and singers famous in the 1980s. The Tour takes in arenas and theatres around the UK and still runs today. The tours are organised by Tony Denton Promotions...
in 2002 along with various other pop acts of the 1980s. Pearson would continue to appear with sister Denise and three backing dancers billed as Five Star up until 2008, making appearances at Butlins Holiday Camps
Butlins
Butlins is a chain of large holiday camps in the United Kingdom. Butlins was founded by Billy Butlin to provide affordable holidays for ordinary British families....
in the UK.
Though not primarily a songwriter, Pearson gained a writing credit for the B-side tracks "Pure Energy" (1986) and "Stone Court" (1987), an instrumental track named after the Berkshire mansion the family had moved into. He also co-wrote the track "Feelings" with sister Doris
Doris Pearson
Doris Pearson is an English singer and ex member of the pop group, Five Star.-Career:...
for the group's 1990 self-titled album
Five Star (album)
Five Star is the name of a 1990 album by the British pop group of the same name. The album was only released in the United States where sales were poor in comparison to earlier releases. The UK release of the album was scrapped after the two lead singles, "Treat Me Like A Lady" and "Hot Love", both...
.
After Five Star
After his years of success with Five Star, Pearson diversified with other business interests. For a time, he ran a limousineLimousine
A limousine is a luxury sedan or saloon car, especially one with a lengthened wheelbase or driven by a chauffeur. The chassis of a limousine may have been extended by the manufacturer or by an independent coachbuilder. These are called "stretch" limousines and are traditionally black or white....
hire service and also taught dance at a school in London. In September 2006, Pearson utilised his dance skills and appeared as a contestant on the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Channel 5 programme The All Star Talent Show
The All Star Talent Show
The All Star Talent Show is a 2006, television programme which aires on Five. It is presented by Andi Peters and Myleene Klass, with Julian Clary making up the judging panel alongside 2 guest judges. Each 6 celebrities perform with the winner at the end of each episode going into the final at the...
in which he finished in third place. In 2007, Pearson announced that he was recording his first solo album, although this yet remains to be released. In 2008, Pearson was one of the contestants on the BBC reality show Celebrity Scissorhands
Celebrity Scissorhands
Celebrity Scissorhands is a reality show that is part of the BBC's Children in Need charity campaign, in which celebrities attempt to cut people's hair to raise money for the campaign while trained and watched by professional hairdresser Lee Stafford...
, in which celebrities become hairdressers in aid of Children In Need
Children in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
. In September 2009, after already teaching dance at a school in London, Pearson began working at the Derngate Gym in Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
, holding a weekly 'jazz dance' class at the facility.
Controversies
In October 1990, Stedman Pearson appeared in court and pleaded guilty to a charge of public indecencyPublic indecency
Public indecency refers to conduct undertaken in a non-private or publicly-viewable location, which are deemed indecent in nature, such as indecent exposure and sexual intercourse or masturbation in public view. Such activity is often illegal...
after being arrested in a public toilet in New Malden
New Malden
New Malden is a town and shopping centre in the south-western London suburbs, mostly within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and partly in the London Borough of Merton, and is situated from Charing Cross...
in London.
In July 2007, it was reported that police had been called to Pearson's home after he claimed to have received death threats from his father and former manager, Buster Pearson
Buster Pearson
Buster Pearson is the father and former manager of British pop group Five Star. He also owns and runs Tent Records. He moved to the UK in the late 1960s and toured as a guitarist with the likes of Otis Redding, Jimmy Cliff, Wilson Pickett and Desmond Dekker...
.