Edwin Starr...did We Take Him For Granted?

[Mark Jones]

Just a question really rather than a profound point of view...just now he's gone thought I'd ask the question of us all really....saw him many times and probablly because he lived in Stoke rather than Detroit anymore I always had the opinion... oh bugger I missed him this time but will catch him next time!....and now feel what a mistake that opinion was .

I remember chatting to Charles Hatcher (aka Edwin Starr for those who don't know) about his life and his cousin Roger for that matter...such a lovely genuine man...he made everyone who met him feel special and never took his northern "fame" for granted. It was just as important to him that you liked his music and performance as much as he was pleased with it...he never forgot his fans...yes I know I'm stating the obvious for those who knew Edwin a lot better than me.

It's not until i search youtube and realise that there's no recording of him singing "If my heart could tell the story" "I have faith in you" etc etc that maybe we all missed out on a golden oppurtunity even though we all probably saw him many times.

Miss you Edwin

Jonzy

[John Al]

Just a question really rather than a profound point of view...just now he's gone thought I'd ask the question of us all really....saw him many times and probablly because he lived in Stoke rather than Detroit anymore I always had the opinion... oh bugger I missed him this time but will catch him next time!....and now feel what a mistake that opinion was .

I remember chatting to Charles Hatcher (aka Edwin Starr for those who don't know) about his life and his cousin Roger for that matter...such a lovely genuine man...he made everyone who met him feel special and never took his northern "fame" for granted. It was just as important to him that you liked his music and performance as much as he was pleased with it...he never forgot his fans...yes I know I'm stating the obvious for those who knew Edwin a lot better than me.

It's not until i search youtube and realise that there's no recording of him singing "If my heart could tell the story" "I have faith in you" etc etc that maybe we all missed out on a golden oppurtunity even though we all probably saw him many times.

Miss you Edwin

Jonzy

Hi Jonzy,

In short, yes we did take him for granted. Like you I saw him many times and became blas about it, even went somewhere else when he was on. I shouldn't have.

Remember seeing him sing "Just Be Good To Me" and being moved beyond belief at his interpretation of the song. He was a supreme talent an we should cherish the memories we have.

Best,

John.

[John Al]

Just a question really rather than a profound point of view...just now he's gone thought I'd ask the question of us all really....saw him many times and probablly because he lived in Stoke rather than Detroit anymore I always had the opinion... oh bugger I missed him this time but will catch him next time!....and now feel what a mistake that opinion was .

I remember chatting to Charles Hatcher (aka Edwin Starr for those who don't know) about his life and his cousin Roger for that matter...such a lovely genuine man...he made everyone who met him feel special and never took his northern "fame" for granted. It was just as important to him that you liked his music and performance as much as he was pleased with it...he never forgot his fans...yes I know I'm stating the obvious for those who knew Edwin a lot better than me.

It's not until i search youtube and realise that there's no recording of him singing "If my heart could tell the story" "I have faith in you" etc etc that maybe we all missed out on a golden oppurtunity even though we all probably saw him many times.

Miss you Edwin

Jonzy

Hi Jonzy,

In short, yes we did take him for granted. Like you I saw him many times and became blas about it, even went somewhere else when he was on. I shouldn't have.

Remember seeing him sing "Just Be Good To Me" and being moved beyond belief at his interpretation of the song. He was a supreme talent an we should cherish the memories we have.

Best,

John.

[Mark Jones]

In short, yes we did take him for granted. Like you I saw him many times and became blasé about it,

Yes John agree with you...and thanks for your honest reply...think we all took him for granted as he was in our midst...miss his talent and still have a 100 questions to ask the guy!

Edited September 24, 2010 by soulechoes

[Guest Paul]

Yes we certainly did, and so did Motown I think.

Edwin was one of the most expressive and dynamic soul singers of all but I think he got second class treatment at Motown and, sadly, he recorded some inferior material in later years.

But his good stuff was excellent.

[Mark Jones]

Yes we certainly did, and so did Motown I think.

Edwin was one of the most expressive and dynamic soul singers of all but I think he got second class treatment at Motown and, sadly, he recorded some inferior material in later years.

But his good stuff was excellent.

Can't imagine anyone having anything bad to say about the guy...one of my favourite songs by Edwin

edwin starr - if my heart could tell the story -

Edited September 25, 2010 by soulechoes

[Guest Paul]

Here are my favourite Edwin Starr tracks, in no particular order. I'll never get tired of them...

If My Heart Could Tell The Story

I'm Still A Struggling Man

I Can't Escape Your Memory

Twenty Four Hours (To Find My Baby)

Soul City (Open Your Arms To Me)

She Should Have Been Home

Backyard Lovin' Man

I Am Your Man

Running Back And Forth

Stand

Take Me Clear From Here

Love (The Lonely People's Prayer)

I'm So Into You

Storm Clouds On The Way

Twenty-Five Miles

Harlem

I Have Faith In You

Headline News

Stop Her On sight (SOS)

Back Street

Agent Double-O Soul

[dthedrug]

Just a question really rather than a profound point of view...just now he's gone thought I'd ask the question of us all really....saw him many times and probablly because he lived in Stoke rather than Detroit anymore I always had the opinion... oh bugger I missed him this time but will catch him next time!....and now feel what a mistake that opinion was .

I remember chatting to Charles Hatcher (aka Edwin Starr for those who don't know) about his life and his cousin Roger for that matter...such a lovely genuine man...he made everyone who met him feel special and never took his northern "fame" for granted. It was just as important to him that you liked his music and performance as much as he was pleased with it...he never forgot his fans...yes I know I'm stating the obvious for those who knew Edwin a lot better than me.

It's not until i search youtube and realise that there's no recording of him singing "If my heart could tell the story" "I have faith in you" etc etc that maybe we all missed out on a golden oppurtunity even though we all probably saw him many times.

Miss you Edwin

Jonzy

Hi All...When I worked for him in the mid 7ts all was fine, However he made a big mistake with his money, and became a worker holic! it's a shame, but true, This was his downfall, and he worked himself to Death, a Realy nice man RIP

DAVE KIL

[Premium Stuff]

edwin starr - back street -

[Guest Dave Turner]

I certainly took him for granted. It wasn't until after he died I realised he lived about 300yds (as the crow flies) from my in-laws.

Anyway, he's buried in Nottingham's Wilford Hill cemetery ...... NG2 7FE

About 50yds to the right of the main building at the top of cemetery.

Regularly pass it so called in one day. There were two vases on it that were standing on plastic mats that were repro's of Ric-Tic sides.

Edited September 24, 2010 by Dave Turner

[Mark Jones]

I need to go and pay my respects.

Miss you Edwin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhB0msCGZiY

Edited September 25, 2010 by soulechoes

[Mark Jones]

My god....Edwin..so good...

[Mark Jones]

showing the talents we always were aware of but like me never heard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKd-cTyEsRQ&p=E08FEBCC2AA60423&playnext=1&index=28]

Edited September 25, 2010 by soulechoes

[Mark Jones]

like most we forgot that Edwin and Blinky were supposed to be the new Marvin and Tammi...just talent pure talent

omfg this is good!

another record to show off their partnership.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Q_W1jszGo

Edited September 25, 2010 by soulechoes

[Guest Dave Turner]

Docu (despite the title of the clip) of Edwin Starr when he lived at Polesworth Hall, Warwickshire.

Edited September 25, 2010 by Dave Turner

[Mark Jones]

Docu (despite the title of the clip) of Edwin Starr when he lived at Polesworth Hall, Warwickshire.

Wow!

[Soulfinger]

Thanks for that. It was fabulous. I think Edwin was taken for granted; mainly because he was so accessible. It seemed he performed within half an hour of wherever you lived every week. He lit up some of the dodgy cabaret venus in the North West whenever I saw him.

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Here are my favourite Edwin Starr tracks, in no particular order. I'll never get tired of them...

If My Heart Could Tell The Story

I'm Still A Struggling Man

I Can't Escape Your Memory

Twenty Four Hours (To Find My Baby)

Soul City (Open Your Arms To Me)

She Should Have Been Home

Backyard Lovin' Man

I Am Your Man

Running Back And Forth

Stand

Take Me Clear From Here

Love (The Lonely People's Prayer)

I'm So Into You

Storm Clouds On The Way

Twenty-Five Miles

Harlem

I Have Faith In You

Headline News

Stop Her On sight (SOS)

Back Street

Agent Double-O Soul

...What, no 'I'll Love You Forever', Paul?

Sadly, Edwin's non-obscurity has tended to devalue his worth as an artist in the eyes of the unenlightened. The same thing can be said about another great vocalist who many took for granted during his lifetime, Arthur Conley.

Both these men deserved to get their flowers before they got to the graveyard.

The aforementioned Holidays 45 "I'll Love You Forever", with Edwin as lead singer, is probably my favourite Edwin record in what, like Paul's, is a pretty big list of favourites...

...But I'd also like to reserve a place near the top for the fabulous "It Ain't Fair", which came out on Peter Stringfellow's short-lived Hippodrome label in the mid-80s.

If ever there was a record deserving of its day in the sun, there's one....

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

Edwin Starr was great and shame that we didn't pay more to him for what he done. Although i must have caught him on an off day when he came to one of the night clubs here to perform live, I admit i wasn't impressed but then he was not playing with a band it was mostly 70's and 80's stuff with backing tracks. My mistake was not going to see him after, dad took cd of his motown greatest hits to be signed and i said i will wait here now i wish i had gone to meet him.

managed to see his brother Angelo Starr few weeks back and he did some Edwin Starr stuff not a bad job either. i met him after and he signed the same Edwin Starr greatest hits CD

[Gigs]

Yes I miss Edwin Starr too,when I used to work as a follow spot operator,in a local caberet club(gone now) Edwin used to appear do his turn,which was always faultless,I used to go to his dressing room,and talk with him,he was really easy to talk to,especially about Northern soul,He used tell about when he appeared at the Torch and Wigan Casino,and always gave me promotional photo's to give out,he even signed one and dedicated it to me personally,but back to the question,yes we did take him for granted

ATB Gigs

[Guest Ivor Jones]

...What, no 'I'll Love You Forever', Paul?

Sadly, Edwin's non-obscurity has tended to devalue his worth as an artist in the eyes of the unenlightened. The same thing can be said about another great vocalist who many took for granted during his lifetime, Arthur Conley.

Both these men deserved to get their flowers before they got to the graveyard.

The aforementioned Holidays 45 "I'll Love You Forever", with Edwin as lead singer, is probably my favourite Edwin record in what, like Paul's, is a pretty big list of favourites...

...But I'd also like to reserve a place near the top for the fabulous "It Ain't Fair", which came out on Peter Stringfellow's short-lived Hippodrome label in the mid-80s.

If ever there was a record deserving of its day in the sun, there's one....

Absolutely................That picture of Edwins gravestone earlier in the thread has choked me up,i can tell you.......He definately was taken for granted,especially as he`d chosen to live here.........Brilliant singer in every respect,

Ivor

[Guest Paul]

Here's a film of Edwin doing the recut of 'I Have Faith In You'.

I was very proud in 2005 to obtain a 50% sub-publishing interest in 'I Have Faith In You' (and a few other songs) for Millbrand Music from the owners of Maltese Music.

And I'm grateful to Ian Levine for making this video and for sharing it with us all on youtube.

Edited September 25, 2010 by Paul

[Guest Paul]

And a nice version of 'Darling Darling Baby'...

[Guest Paul]

...What, no 'I'll Love You Forever', Paul?

Sadly, Edwin's non-obscurity has tended to devalue his worth as an artist in the eyes of the unenlightened. The same thing can be said about another great vocalist who many took for granted during his lifetime, Arthur Conley.

Both these men deserved to get their flowers before they got to the graveyard.

The aforementioned Holidays 45 "I'll Love You Forever", with Edwin as lead singer, is probably my favourite Edwin record in what, like Paul's, is a pretty big list of favourites...

...But I'd also like to reserve a place near the top for the fabulous "It Ain't Fair", which came out on Peter Stringfellow's short-lived Hippodrome label in the mid-80s.

If ever there was a record deserving of its day in the sun, there's one....

Hello Tony,

Yes I like 'I'll Love You Forever' and 'It Ain't Fair' too, both spanning so many years.

I first met Edwin Starr in 1974 when I was 16. His new record was 'You've Got My Soul On Fire' and his band was TCU (Total Concept Unlimited) some of whom later became Rose Royce.

I was already a huge fan but meeting him was special because he was such a warm and friendly man.

[Garswood]

only saw him 3 times, twice at leigh casino(ruebens) and another time at an allniter at Parr Hall in warrington,early 80's, at the warrington gig i managed to have a chat with him for about 3 minutes and in that 3 minutes or so i got the impression that here was a man who loved his craft and didn't take his audience for granted even if a lot of the fans did, sadly missed...if i had to choose a track..."running back and forth"

edwin starr - running back and forth -

[Guest]

On the occasions I was fortunate to be in the company of Edwin , I always found him to be a genuine and amiable man , who always had time to have a chat , showing interest in that conversation he had with you : a statement I am sure will be echoed by all those who also were fortunate to do the same .

We miss your voice and your smile Edwin ...... you are still the man

Malc

Edited September 25, 2010 by Malc Burton

[paup-ine]

Tear Drops - I love that amongst others;)

P:)

[John Al]

Is that Just Be Good To Me- S.O.S. Band.............if so l'd loved to have heard that

Yes mate, one and the same track. Still makes me reflective now, after all this time. Wish he'd recorded it.

Best,

John.

[Guest isis]

Just a question really rather than a profound point of view...just now he's gone thought I'd ask the question of us all really....saw him many times and probablly because he lived in Stoke rather than Detroit anymore I always had the opinion... oh bugger I missed him this time but will catch him next time!....and now feel what a mistake that opinion was .

I remember chatting to Charles Hatcher (aka Edwin Starr for those who don't know) about his life and his cousin Roger for that matter...such a lovely genuine man...he made everyone who met him feel special and never took his northern "fame" for granted. It was just as important to him that you liked his music and performance as much as he was pleased with it...he never forgot his fans...yes I know I'm stating the obvious for those who knew Edwin a lot better than me.

It's not until i search youtube and realise that there's no recording of him singing "If my heart could tell the story" "I have faith in you" etc etc that maybe we all missed out on a golden oppurtunity even though we all probably saw him many times.

Miss you Edwin

Jonzy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g7guCXmlCohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g7guCXmlCo

[The Tempest]

Whilst serving in the army , me and my mates eneded up in Magaluf for my 25 th birthday , early 90's , after a week of mayhem in the resort , we'd booked for 10 days , I was well and truly knackrd ! and needed a holiday from the one I was on !!!

I decided to have a quiet night , whilst the other 12 ! , went off like the vikings into town for another raid ! , me and another lad I was with found a nice quiet bar a stones throw from the strip ,

As soon as I walked in I saw a big black jovial guy at the bar laughing and chatting with the staff , they were teasing him to sing , he was declining , but enjoying the banter , saying he was on at a main club in a few hours time , and was saving his voice for later ,

I recognised him as Edwin Starr , having seen him a few times in the 80's , I approached him , on his own , asked if I could buy him a beer and thanked him for his music , performances over the years .....

After about 20mins he said , " I need to warm up anyway , what's your song choice " , I said 25 MILES and he climbed onto a tiny stage in front of about 40 customers ! ,and belted it out , accapella along with war and eye to eye contact , I got the signed t shirt off his back , literally , plus vip admission to the club later that night for me and my entire party , 12 guys , free drinks all night ,

DID WE TAKE THIS GUY FOR GRANTED ???

TOO BLOODY RIGHT WE DID !!!!!!

I can't wait till my kids grow up and bump into Lady Ga Ga on the piss and her entourage !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[grantdyche]

Told this once before here on SS

Many years ago about 91-92

I was managing Legends nightclub in Preston and I booked Edwin for a playback show (no live band just backing tracks)

Before the show I sat and ate chicken tikka with him and talked about the Northern Scene,

He was truly and utterly in debt to this scene in his words "It kept me alive and it fed me"

The opening of "SOS" brought him on stage and it was electric,Half way though his set Edwin seeing me dancing at the side of the stage,Asks me to join him and tells the crowd "This is how to dance", And then "Conact" starts up and so I dance on stage with Edwin Starr singing and stood next to me(to be honest I never liked Contact it was a disco track to me but if Edwin says dance,Well what more can I say)

The most memorable part of the night half way through his set,Some blokes start shouting that he is miming,

Edwin hears it and says "Stop the music"

Yeah you're miming say the blokes,

Edwin replies "I've NEVER mimed in my life,What do you want me to sing,I will sing anything"

At the time the Passadenas had done a version of "I'm doing fine now"

Well Edwin sang it live with no backing track,

ELECTRIC,

Hairs on the back of your neck stuff,

Taken for granted?? ,Maybe

Forgotten NEVER

[Mrtag]

Hi Jonzy, A true gent always had time to talk to you and some great tunes one of my favourites was " Gonna Keep On Tryin Til I Win Your Love" last saw him perform at Preston Guild Hall!! Gone But Not Forgotten. RIP John.

[Mick Howard]

I really don't have a story to match the ones here (the one in the bar was brilliant) but just to stick my tuppence worth in.

Edwin was the first live Soul artist I saw back in the mid 70's (Peterborough or St Ives I think) and I then saw him a few more times over the years and I have to say that he most definitely was the most consistent of them all. I don't think his shows were ever 'bad' so the mans' professionalism and dedication to his craft cannot be questioned.

I would have to say that because he lived in the UK and because he therefore was on more than the artists back in the States then yes of course we took him for granted but 'aint that the way of things?

Here are some photos I took at Hinckley back in the early 80's - perhaps his outfit 'aint as good as the musical notes one in the documentary but hey...

[Guest Brett F]

Saw him a few times in the 80's at Clifton Hall, Ritz, and at Sheffield's City Hall, although the city hall date wasn't that good to be truthful, every song seemed to be speeded up to 100 miles an hour, i left before the end .. But for me my personal favourite is his Granite 7" ' I'll Never Forget You".

Brett

[Mike Lofthouse]

Absolutely................That picture of Edwins gravestone earlier in the thread has choked me up,i can tell you.......He definately was taken for granted,especially as he`d chosen to live here.........Brilliant singer in every respect,

Ivor

the end of the following clip - from 4:07 - always has the same effect on me Ivor...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_PiLl3Ql3g&feature=related

Mike

[Guest eringobrath1965]

[Guest Paul]

This thread has been a wonderful excuse for us all to stop and think about Edwin Starr again and to continue listening to his wonderful music.

It's what soulsource is best at.

[Guest Dan]

Edwin was a lovely, lovely bloke. When I was a little scooter boy living about five miles from him in the early 80s, me and my mates used to go up to his little castle (actually Pooley Hall I think Arkwright, not that it matters) and he'd let us all in, listen to our nonsense etc.

Took me up onto his battlements one day. Great view of Polesworth and the B5000.

[Guest Dave Turner]

Edwin was a lovely, lovely bloke. When I was a little scooter boy living about five miles from him in the early 80s, me and my mates used to go up to his little castle (actually Pooley Hall I think Arkwright, not that it matters) and he'd let us all in, listen to our nonsense etc.

Took me up onto his battlements one day. Great view of Polesworth and the B5000.

Yup, my error mate. Pooley Hall, Polesworth.

[Xss]

Just got to say Sad lose to the soul scene Edwin was one of the best people i've ever danced on the stage with i first dance with Edwin when i was 15 years old, at Hinckley Allnighter he picked me out of the crowd and i danced my heart out to ,Contact and Time. no one can take that a way from me AND STILL DANCING TO THEM TUNES HE HIS A LEGEND. AND HIS MUSIC WILL ALWAYS LIVE ON ..... R.I.P. EDWIN ALWAYS IN OUR HEART AND MINDS. Soulfun and Love Sam Evans .

[funkyfeet]

Saw Edwin about a dozen times maybe more never missed him when he was on locally, and I've still got his first appearance at the Casino on tape somewhere , a true artist sadly missed.

[Garswood]

This thread has been a wonderful excuse for us all to stop and think about Edwin Starr again and to continue listening to his wonderful music.

It's what soulsource is best at.

totally agree, since this thread started i,ve been listening to all my edwin material, couple of tracks he did on Granite, forgot i had, i,ll never forget you, and beginning, two great tracks and a long way from his ric tic / gordy days, just shows the diversity of the man........great thread btw

[Guest oldsoulgit]

Saw him several times, last time was in Birmingham about ten years ago with i think Steve Mancha & JJ Barnes, he was brill every time,

I got him to sign my ticket Charles Hatcher he was a gent, my two favourites are My Kind Of Woman & Youre My Mellow on Ric - Tic RIP Edwin

Jim.

[Mick Howard]

Just got to say Sad lose to the soul scene Edwin was one of the best people i've ever danced on the stage with i first dance with Edwin when i was 15 years old, at Hinckley Allnighter he picked me out of the crowd and i danced my heart out to ,Contact and Time. no one can take that a way from me AND STILL DANCING TO THEM TUNES HE HIS A LEGEND. AND HIS MUSIC WILL ALWAYS LIVE ON ..... R.I.P. EDWIN ALWAYS IN OUR HEART AND MINDS. Soulfun and Love Sam Evans .

Sam

Is that you with the eagle tattoo in the 3rd photo in my earlier post?

Mick

[Phil_H]

I certainly took him for granted. It wasn't until after he died I realised he lived about 300yds (as the crow flies) from my in-laws.

Anyway, he's buried in Nottingham's Wilford Hill cemetery ...... NG2 7FE

About 50yds to the right of the main building at the top of cemetery.

Regularly pass it so called in one day. There were two vases on it that were standing on plastic mats that were repro's of Ric-Tic sides.

Bought tears to my eyes to

sos (stop her on sight)

[dthedrug]

Bought tears to my eyes to

sos (stop her on sight)

Hi All & Phil Great stuff mate, it ort to be HEADLINE NEWS DAVE KIL

[dthedrug]

Bought tears to my eyes to

sos (stop her on sight)

Hi All & Phil Great stuff mate, it ort to be HEADLINE NEWS DAVE KIL

[Guest turntableterra]

thank you for this, a good reason to visit nottingham,

to many good tunes to say, but probably s.o.s.

[Guest Dave Turner]

Dug out photo of myself (with specs) and a couple of local guys when we called in.

You can just see the Ric-Tic vase mats which I mentioned earlier

[Guest Ste Brazil]

Simply an amazing performer, i have so many good memories connected with his music and live performances i was lucky enough to see over the years.

R.I.P. Edwin.

Ste.