Edwin Starr

**Greg Wilson** · April 2nd, 2003, 02:22 PM

Just heard the sad news that Edwin Starr has died of a heart attack, aged 61. A Soul and Disco legend, Starr loss will be felt most deeply by the Northern Soul community, to whom he was like family.

God bless his soul.

**DISCODISK** · April 2nd, 2003, 02:53 PM

im DEVASTATED to read this,i couldnt read anything worse youre so right greg the northern soul community will miss him deeply we loved him and he loved us so much so he chose to move to england many years ago. here he earned [and deserved ]the reputation of 'the hardest working man in the buisiness'.to me this is made all the more bad as edwin has been going through some bad times financially due to bad management.
from ric-tic to gordy to 20th century to gto etc etc he made amazing records that will always pack the floor here you will never be forgotten R.I.P EDWIN STARR and THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING

**K-Bee** · April 2nd, 2003, 02:56 PM

I'm very well aware of his impact on the northern soul curcuit. I even recall him living in England during the latter years.
He was behind many a great track and even managed to flirt with HI-NRG with his "Whatever Makes Our Love Grow" in the mid 80's
He will be missed by many, I'm sure.
Another great artist for Bernie to add on the list, I'm afraid. :cry:

**NickNack** · April 2nd, 2003, 03:34 PM

Sad news indeed. "Agent 00 Soul" will be missed. I'm glad to hear the Northern Soul community embraced him big time.

**billywho** · April 2nd, 2003, 03:37 PM

I saw Edwin at the Wiltshire Festival "Party In The Park" in Swindon three years ago. I'm not really into Northern Soul, but it was a privilege to see him perform on stage.

http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/wil..._news18ZM.html

He's quoted in the article as saying: "I like Swindon very much. It is a good soul town"

I knew it!

**QUINNY** · April 2nd, 2003, 04:21 PM

This is sad news.
The one thing I loved about Edwin was his indomitable spirit and sheer professionalism. His voice sounded even better live than on record and his timing and phrasing was absolutely spot on when i once had the priviledge of working with him back in '86.
Sadly, I have to report that when he was a guest on Craig Charles' Radio 6 Funk Show a few months back he really sounded quite ill. His voice had almost totally gone, but this could have been due to some short term illness. I'll have to listen to my minidisc recording of that show (if I can find it) 'cos his warmness really shone through and it was really kinda uplifting to hear him.
He will be missed by many.

**HustleBaby** · April 2nd, 2003, 11:32 PM

This is a tragedy and may Edwin rest in peace. I remember him most from his two hits "Contact" and "Happy R.a.d.i.o." are there other songs that he made that I'm not aware of?? I heard that he was formerly part of the group WAR in the early 70's then eventually went solo - true or false?

R.I.P Edwin
*DISCO DELIGHT*

**K-Bee** · April 3rd, 2003, 01:03 AM

Hustlebaby.
Edwin Starr was never a member of War, but his biggest hit ever was entitled "War" (written by Norman Whitfield) and was also recorded by the Temptations in 1970. I believe it was intended as an anti Vietnam war song.

Starr had loads of hits before he went disco in the late 70's:
"Agent Double-O Soul" and "25 Miles" were probably the biggest ones.

**jazz_pilgrim** · April 3rd, 2003, 01:32 AM

Thank you for informing me of the news, Greg.

I am gutted, absolutely gutted. :cry: What a sad loss to the world.

I was listening to one of his songs, Easin' In (from the 1974 LP "Hell Up In Harlem"), on my MD into work only just this morning.

EDWIN STARR - thank-you for all the wonderful music you have made. Respect to a SOUL BROTHER.

**NickNack** · April 3rd, 2003, 11:13 AM

Hi Hustlebaby,

Here's a real short article on Edwin. It mentions his hits with Motown like "War" and gives the name of his original group.

http://apnews1.iwon.com//article/200...=home&SEC=news

You're probably too young to know Edwin from his Motown days. :)

**zeca azevedo** · April 3rd, 2003, 11:08 PM

As a MOTOWN fan, what more can I say about EDWIN STARR? Another soul legend is gone :cry: . He will be remembered for his big, great voice and music, especially for the records he made at MOTOWN in the 60's and early 70's. His recording of FUNKY MUSIC SHO NUFF TURNS ME ON is unbeatable, just like his classic rendition of WAR - it is quite sad that the man who sang this powerful anti-war song died when the world is on fire...

My favorite album by EDWIN STARR is the soundtrack for HELL UP IN HARLEM - I can't live without this one.

For those who don't know his music, I recommend the great comp THE VERY BEST BY EDWIN STARR, released by MOTOWN in 1998.

Edwin Starr, R.I.P.

zeca azevedo, a brazilian fan of the Agent Double-O-Soul

**SandraDee** · May 3rd, 2003, 10:54 AM

I was very saddened to hear this news too. K-Bee, I'm so pleased u mentioned 'Whatever Makes Our Love Grow' from '86. I love this record but nobody ever seems to know it when I mention it. Stock Aitken Waterman also tried to revive the 3 Degrees' career at the same time with the brilliant 'The Heaven I Need'. Anyone who thinks SAW are tacky & crass should listen to these 2 fabulous disco tracks. I loved the way Edwin moved with the times but never lost his soul & unique style. Another class act gone forever.