Charles Edwin Hatcher aka Edwin Starr!!!

[marv2]

This was the first song I heard by Edwin Starr way back in 1965: "Agent Double-O-Soul"

[theboyfromxtown]

Fay Jones and Pat Lewis went to pay their respect to Edwin just a few days ago. Edwin is buried in Nottingham England. 1942-2003

[TomatoTom123]

This was the first song I heard by Edwin Starr way back in 1965: "Agent Double-O-Soul"

Wow, LOVE that, thanks Marv
He looks so young!

[TomatoTom123]

My personal favourite from his Ric-Tic years...



Co-written by none other than Edwin Starr himself
"The Nicest Man In Showbiz"

[marv2]

Fay Jones and Pat Lewis went to pay their respect to Edwin just a few days ago. Edwin is buried in Nottingham England. 1942-2003

Oh, I did not know was buried there. I knew he had moved there in his later years.

[marv2]

This was the first record of Edwin's I bought. He appeared on local Detroit TV several times in those days. From 1969:

[arr&bee]

Nice post,i've always felt that edwin starr was somewhat underatted,a great singer whose version of[keep on trying]is a soul classic.

[marv2]

Nice post,i've always felt that edwin starr was somewhat underatted,a great singer whose version of[keep on trying]is a soul classic.

I agree. Edwin was one of those rare singers that could croon as well as he could shout.

[TomatoTom123]

Nice post,i've always felt that edwin starr was somewhat underatted,a great singer whose version of[keep on trying]is a soul classic.

YESSS, his version is the original and BEST!

[Luciano]

Great spotlight on Edwin Starr. My favorite is "25 Miles". I also like his cover of "Cloud Nine". One of my favorites is a song he wrote "At Last [[I Found A True Love" that Chuck Jackson just kills on.

[marv2]

YESSS, his version is the original and BEST!

You could always tell by just listening to Edwin that he loved singing.

[TomatoTom123]

You could always tell by just listening to Edwin that he loved singing.

Yes indeeeed

[marv2]

Edwin's monster hit.......WAR!!!! 1970

[Luciano]

Here another favorite by Edwin Starr

[marv2]

I remember "Hell Up in Harlem" from the movie of the same name. Edwin was doing soundtracks even way back then.

[TomatoTom123]

Edwin's monster hit.......WAR!!!! 1970

Hell yea...!

Thanks, Marv
I failed in my attempt at putting up a video of "War", Lol!

"What is it good for?"

"ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!"

"Say it again, y'all..."

[jsmith]

Edwin's grave ....
Attachment 11726

[marv2]

Great pic JSmith. God bless them. Thanks.

[arr&bee]

Another great one from edwin is-24 hours.

[TomatoTom123]

Thanks for the pic, jsmith

Another from the Soul Master...
This one is a TUNE!!!

[marv2]

Even when Edwin went Disco, it was high quality all the way.....................from 1978

[TomatoTom123]

YESSS, Marv!
Love that!!!

And this one...



Classic D-I-S-C-O

[marv2]

Hell yea...!

Thanks, Marv
I failed in my attempt at putting up a video of "War", Lol!

"What is it good for?"

"ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!"

"Say it again, y'all..."

Did you know that Edwin Starr's "WAR" was so popular in the early seventies that High Schools re-work the lyrics into a cheer for football and basketball games?

[marv2]

I liked H.A.P.P.Y Radio too,but "Contact just sounded funkier, more direct. LOL!

[TomatoTom123]

Did you know that Edwin Starr's "WAR" was so popular in the early seventies that High Schools re-work the lyrics into a cheer for football and basketball games?

Really? Lol
I always think of "War" being such an angry, aggressive song!

I liked H.A.P.P.Y Radio too,but "Contact just sounded funkier, more direct. LOL!

Yeah, you're right there
It's got a KILLER chorus...

"We've made...eye-to-eye..."

"CONTACT!!"

[marv2]

I am glad to know that he was so well received in England that he decided to make his home there.

[soulwally]

I can never get enough of My Weakness Is You. HOWEVER unlike the version above I always prefer the single version, the one I first heard. On this version the 'it's alright' is missing at the beginning, and Edwin's lead is slightly different. However, I think this version I found on youtube is speeded up. the version on the Ace Soul Master CD is the single

[marv2]

With the tom tom drums the intro reminds me a bit of "Going to a Go Go".

[theboyfromxtown]

[marv2]

I can never get enough of My Weakness Is You. HOWEVER unlike the version above I always prefer the single version, the one I first heard. On this version the 'it's alright' is missing at the beginning, and Edwin's lead is slightly different. However, I think this version I found on youtube is speeded up. the version on the Ace Soul Master CD is the single

Soulwally do you know if this, My Weakness was ever released as a single in America?

[TomatoTom123]

I am glad to know that he was so well received in England that he decided to make his home there.

Yes indeed

UK Chart Statistics Time!!

Both his songs "Stop Her On Sight [[SOS)" and "Headline News" made the UK Top 40 [[#35 and #39, respectively) in 1966
"SOS" was reissued in 1968 and was an even bigger hit, almost making the Top Ten and reaching #11
1969's "Twenty-Five Miles" landed Edwin another Top 40 hit [[#36)
"War" was an international smash hit and made #3 on the UK Charts in 1970
Then, almost a decade later, Edwin reappeared on the charts with a pair of brilliant disco hits, "Contact" and "HAPPY Radio", both of which made the UK Top Ten [[#6 and #9)

"Time" and "Back Street" were also Northern Soul favourites


I believe that Edwin moved to England around 1973, and continued to record and perform
He recorded loads of stuff and struck up a great friendship with Northern Soul DJ Ian Levine
He made many TV appearances and did great live performances on both TV [[Jools Holland, Jonathan Ross) and on stage
He was voted top in a 'Blues & Soul' Northern Soul Poll as "All-Time Favourite Artist" and "Best All-Time Live performer" in 2002

Marv, you are so right, it makes me so glad to know that he was truly loved in England - so much so he wanted to live [[and die, sadly) there

He has a great official website
http://edwinstarr.info
It tells you some of his personal likes, e.g. his favourite colour [[blue) and favourite song [["Unsatisfied" by Lou Johnson)

[jaybs]

What a true gentleman, the likes it was a joy to be in the company of, never saw him once unhappy and he was as happy chatting about you rather than himself. The radio station I worked for had Edwin in that many times for interviews, and whenever we staged soul events Edwin was the first one we booked. One was in a big marquee at what was the then largest three day show in Europe. Edwin always had the tightest band I have ever heard and he did an amazing set, to follow him were The Platters, but they were stuck on the motorway in traffic, after 15 minutes Edwin came to me, "John have The Platters not arrived yet?" told him what was happening with them, his fast response was "John give me five to get the boys together again and we will go back on stage" they did and stayed on until The Platters arrived, I said to Edwin I will arrange an extra fee for you, Thanks! but Edwin said "It was a true pleasure, nothing needed, you will offend me if you do" and he went into his chuckle as he did.

I loved Edwin on ballads as much as the up tempo tunes, his late albums with re recorded versions of songs was as good as the original vocal wise, you can't say that about many, one I have in my large collection had a live track of an O'Jays number Edwin had the audience eating out of his hands, every time I play it tears roll down my face as that is the Edwin I loves and always will do.

Just after his sad passing, far too early, I spoke to several about a book on his life, sadly it never got off the ground.

[grapevine]

My Man!

...my fave Edwin ...from 1970

Take Me Clear From Here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SuBa4_Le4w

X

[marv2]

Did any of you guys from the U.K. see the tour Edwin did with Mary Wilson and Martha Reeves back around 2000?

[honest man]

My Man!

...my fave Edwin ...from 1970

Take Me Clear From Here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SuBa4_Le4w
Have to agree with you Edwin And Chuck Jackson my 2 fave Motown male solos,ACE Really could do with a priority Lost AND Found set on Edwin ,polls show he is favourite Motown-Northern Act in UK,any chance of listening to us,cheers.
X

Have to agree with you Edwin And Chuck Jackson my 2 fave Motown male solos,ACE Really could do with a priority Lost AND Found set on Edwin ,polls show he is favourite Motown-Northern Act in UK,any chance of listening to us,cheers.

[theboyfromxtown]

Soulwally do you know if this, My Weakness was ever released as a single in America?

I'm not soulwally but.....

[theboyfromxtown]

Did any of you guys from the U.K. see the tour Edwin did with Mary Wilson and Martha Reeves back around 2000?

Yes. It was a really fun tour for fans. Mary in particular was full of fun...joining in with whoever was on stage. I remember one time when she was singing and also copying the dance moves of the backing singers.

[honest man]

Met Edwin in a pub 10 mins from me in early 90s the most unassuming,modest gentleman he was.Would love Motown Anthology with unreleased tracks thrown in or better still Lost AND fOUND ACE please.

[TomatoTom123]

Soulwally do you know if this, My Weakness was ever released as a single in America?

I'm not Soulwally either [[Lol), but I believe it was the B-Side [[a B-Side!!) to "I Am The Man For You, Baby", released on Gordy [[G 7071) in March of 1968

[marv2]

Yes. It was a really fun tour for fans. Mary in particular was full of fun...joining in with whoever was on stage. I remember one time when she was singing and also copying the dance moves of the backing singers.

I only saw brief clips of it on the entertainment news programs here.

[marv2]

My Man!

...my fave Edwin ...from 1970

Take Me Clear From Here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SuBa4_Le4w

X

I love that one Grapevine. Listen to Edwin give Wilson Pickett a run for his money LOL!

[marv2]

How could we have overlooked this one?

[TomatoTom123]

Found this version of "HAPPY Radio"



Dont know what it is or why it sounds different, but I LOVE IT!!

[marv2]

Found this version of "HAPPY Radio"



Dont know what it is or why it sounds different, but I LOVE IT!!

Those handclaps sound like they were added, in fact there are several elements of this remix
I've heard used in many dance records and it definitely works here!

[TomatoTom123]

Those handclaps sound like they were added, in fact there are several elements of this remix
I've heard used in many dance records and it definitely works here!

Yes, a "Disco Remix" or something! Love it...

[marv2]

I've been listening to "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio" I think it is going to be my "morning song" this week! LOL

[marv2]

Here is the original version and video:

[TomatoTom123]

I've been listening to "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio" I think it is going to be my "morning song" this week! LOL

Hehe, yes, it's so catchy!!

"H-A-P-P-Y..."

"We plan to help your day go by!"

[TomatoTom123]

Here is the original version and video:

Hehe, I think I'm almost enjoying it as much as Edwin!!