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Edwin Starr: His hit song `War' was protest anthem
April 3, 2003
BY THOMAS WAGNER
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LONDON -- Edwin Starr, the soul singer who produced No. 1 hits for Motown such as "War" in 1970, died in England on Wednesday. He was 61.
Mr. Starr died at his home near the city of Nottingham, apparently of a heart attack, said his manager, Lilian Kyle.
Mr. Starr -- who was born Charles Hatcher in Nashville, Tenn. -- formed his first group, the Future Tones, in 1957, recording one single before his three-year army service. In 1965, he was offered a solo deal.
His early U.S. hits included "Agent Double O-Soul" and "Stop Her On Sight (S.O.S)."
But his biggest success came with his outspoken single "War," a U.S. No. 1 hit during a time of growing protests against the Vietnam War. Other Top 10 hits included "Contact" and "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio."
In 1984, he recorded a tribute album to Marvin Gaye for the Streetwave label in England.
Mr. Starr, who made a brief comeback during the disco craze, later spent most of his time touring Europe on the oldies circuit. Last weekend, he performed at two shows in Stuttgart, Germany.
Seventies rock star Suzi Quatro, 52, praised Mr. Starr, whom she had known since since her teenage years.
"He was the best," she said Wednesday. "There was nobody better on stage, and he was the nicest man you could ever wish to meet."
In England, Mr. Starr took part in an award-winning British Broadcasting Corp. radio series on the U.S. civil rights movement. In 1995, he was featured on a Walt Disney children's workout album titled "Mousercise."
"His death has come as a total shock," said Paul Carvell, a friend. "His health hasn't been brilliant recently, but he kept that away from most people and continued to give it his all when he performed.
"There is one more star in heaven tonight."
April 3, 2003
BY THOMAS WAGNER
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LONDON -- Edwin Starr, the soul singer who produced No. 1 hits for Motown such as "War" in 1970, died in England on Wednesday. He was 61.
Mr. Starr died at his home near the city of Nottingham, apparently of a heart attack, said his manager, Lilian Kyle.
Mr. Starr -- who was born Charles Hatcher in Nashville, Tenn. -- formed his first group, the Future Tones, in 1957, recording one single before his three-year army service. In 1965, he was offered a solo deal.
His early U.S. hits included "Agent Double O-Soul" and "Stop Her On Sight (S.O.S)."
But his biggest success came with his outspoken single "War," a U.S. No. 1 hit during a time of growing protests against the Vietnam War. Other Top 10 hits included "Contact" and "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio."
In 1984, he recorded a tribute album to Marvin Gaye for the Streetwave label in England.
Mr. Starr, who made a brief comeback during the disco craze, later spent most of his time touring Europe on the oldies circuit. Last weekend, he performed at two shows in Stuttgart, Germany.
Seventies rock star Suzi Quatro, 52, praised Mr. Starr, whom she had known since since her teenage years.
"He was the best," she said Wednesday. "There was nobody better on stage, and he was the nicest man you could ever wish to meet."
In England, Mr. Starr took part in an award-winning British Broadcasting Corp. radio series on the U.S. civil rights movement. In 1995, he was featured on a Walt Disney children's workout album titled "Mousercise."
"His death has come as a total shock," said Paul Carvell, a friend. "His health hasn't been brilliant recently, but he kept that away from most people and continued to give it his all when he performed.
"There is one more star in heaven tonight."
Q
