Edwin Starr died on this day 22 years ago. Heart attack. He was 61 years old.
Starr (born Charles Edwin Hatcher) is most readily associated with his #1 hit “War,” released in 1970. The combination of the lusty power of Starr’s vocals, the tightness of of Norman Whitfield’s Motown/Psychedelic Soul production and public sentiments veering against America’s involvement in the Vietnam War all likely contributed to this song topping the charts. But what else do any of us know of Starr’s output?
Not many know or recall that coming right out of the gate he had a single that went to #21 with his first release in 1965. That would be "Agent Double-O-Soul."
That same year he came close to getting in the Top Forty — stalling at #48 — with “Stop Her on Sight (S.O.S.)"
If you know a Starr hit other than “War,” it might very well be “25 Miles,” which climbed to #6 on the pop charts in 1969.
Later in his career, Starr’s music was much celebrated by England’s northern soul scene. He moved to England’s Midlands in 1983 and lived the rest of his life there. Both of the following tunes were in the U.K. Top Ten in the late seventies (Get your roller skates out if you know where they are):
Total dance vibe on that one and this one, too. But it’s done right.
He released his final single in 1994. Here it is:
Seems a shame to go out without including his biggest hit. This is a fresh (versus predictable) and funky AF arrangement of “War,” courtesy of Starr’s appearance on “The Midnight Special” television series four years after he topped the charts with the song. Worth a listen.
Happy Hump Day to those who celebrate. See you tomorrow, hopefully.
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