Edwin Starr

[Guest rigs28]

sat at home this morning playing a few old records and put Edwin Starr-if my heart could tell the story.wow.forgot how good this was.so much emotion in his voice.my question is just how good was edwin starr as far as the northern scene goes.for me he is up there with the best.one of the best live acts i ever saw without doubt.

[okehgaz]

One of the best.... if not the best

[Ste Henderson]

The man was and is a LEGEND

My first memory of him was at the Casino about 77 and he sang Scotts on Swingers amongst others, seen him many times since, He never gave a bad performance whether it was his cabaret act or to a Northern crowd, one of the best live acts I have ever seen , he never seem to loose the passion for the music and unlike a lot of other artists his voice never cracked..

I also sang with him on stage when he had a few of us up doing a rendition of "war"

He will always be sadly missed by me and thousands of others.

Steve

[Guest outonthefloor]

Saw Edwin Starr many times in the 80's

Always a fantastic show and a great performer

Wish I had been a bit more with it to appreciate him but hey, it was the 80's!!

Sadly Missed, one of the greats imo

Helen

XXX

[Themoneyshot]

FIRST SAW THE GREAT MAN AT THE TWISTED WHEEL BLOODY AWESOME. THE BEST LIVE ACT I,V EVER SEEN, HE HAD THE WHEEL IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND. ABSOLUTE LEGEND. THE TWISTED WHEEL+EDWIN STARR NUFF SAID. LATER HOMBRES. ENZO

[De-to]

heres one from youtube the late great mr hatcher from my youth club days,25 miles great soul and voice a top man,

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

[kevinsoulman]

i have faith in you ,gives me goosebumps and shivers down my spine every time ,its been said a thousand times before he gave his all every time.must find time to visit his grave and pay my respects real soonas he is buried near nottm,as with jackie wilson hardly ever made a bad record

kev

[billb]

The man was and is a LEGEND

Here here Ste, saw him at Baileys in Oldham 79/80ish, I think he enjoyed it as much as we did.

25 miles, Time & My Weakness Is You will always be floor fillers

My favorite, Love The Lonely Peoples Prayer

Back Street, just about sums the scene up to me?

I've been living off of Main Street

Where society is the thing

But people that live on Main Street

They don't know how to swing

But the people on the back street

They swing, all night long

Although I live on the main street

The back streets is where I belong

Amen

Edited March 28, 2008 by billb

[Bazza]

sat at home this morning playing a few old records and put Edwin Starr-if my heart could tell the story.wow.forgot how good this was.so much emotion in his voice.my question is just how good was edwin starr as far as the northern scene goes.for me he is up there with the best.one of the best live acts i ever saw without doubt.

Yes he is a legend ,saw him a few times in the 70's notts Palais, brilliant, I was going to go and see him just before he passed on , in chesterfield,I could'nt make it,I was gutted

A true embassador for our scene, if not THE embassador

Bazza

[Guest]

Must say Edwin Starr was one of my all time favourite live performers. I think we all took him for granted, and thought he'd be around forever.

Sadly missed!!

Chris

[Cheapsiderecords]

Saw him many times as well but the one that sticks out was supporting Marvin Gaye at the Royal Albert Hall? To be honest I thougth he was a strange choice as I had only seen him before at niters but in true Edwin style he gave a superb show.

[max millward]

Saw him many times as well but the one that sticks out was supporting Marvin Gaye at the Royal Albert Hall? To be honest I thougth he was a strange choice as I had only seen him before at niters but in true Edwin style he gave a superb show.

first met edwin back in 1973 yes a long time ago! i have seen him quite a few times over the years, as if he could have got any better!! well i think he did, he seemed to mature with age. always found him to be a perfect gentleman & so very humble!! we lost one of if not the best live soulman of all time!!!

max..

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

A truely legend but i also did see him live few years back before he passed away but i wasn't sure how good it was live cause i re-call i am sure he was singing to backing tracks not so much live.

I think you lot prob saw him years ago when he had live bands etc

[45cellar]

A truely legend but i also did see him live few years back before he passed away but i wasn't sure how good it was live cause i re-call i am sure he was singing to backing tracks not so much live.

I think you lot prob saw him years ago when he had live bands etc

I remember a TV appearance on Pebble Mill at One, in the 70's

Dinner time show, and he just Excelled, at the Top of his profession and it showed,

in total control of The Voice, The Energy & the Audience. Wow!

I can't recall anyone ever saying that he gave a bad performance, a Rare Star r indeed.

Even though he was taken far too soon, he will continue to shine.

His "Feelgood Music" does just that, in the early days his music hit me and it continues to do so.

One of the Greats would be a true statement, yet he was even better than that.

"The Greatest".

Well there must only be a handful who thoroughly deserve that Title, & Edwin Starr definitely does.

Edited March 29, 2008 by 45cellar

[Mark Bicknell]

Like with most comments here I saw Edwin Starr perform many times over the years and had the pleasure of meeting him several times, he was a gentleman and even remembered my name when we met, one of my proudest moments was when he performed at The Ritz in Manchester I was asked to DJ back in the early 90's , I arrived at the venue before the gig started as his coach arrived infact as I walked into the venue he simply said 'Hello Mark' priceless, he was without question one of the greatest live performers and made some outstanding records.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

This framed poster of that Ritz gig hangs pride of place in my hall way.

Edited March 29, 2008 by Mark Bicknell

[Jim Elliott]

'Stay with me' on Granite, need I say more?

Regards

Jim.

[Chalky]

The Greatest? Not IMHO, far from it but he was an excellent showman and knew how to work a crowd.

[Guest Soulshake]

A True gent and a fantastic performer!!

Like a few have said perhaps not the greatest, but many would have longed for that powerfull growling vocal and stage craft that made the man a must see live show and a must have in any record collection.

I was fortunate enough to support edwin with my band in the isle of white a while back and he still delivered some fantastic vocal performances, whilst may i add on stage signing autograph's. He only lived down the road from me too for quite some time, and my old man did a fair bit of work in the soulman's garden

God bless you edwin....

[Wilxy]

Edwin Starr was the first live Soul artist I had the pleasure of seeing/hearing, so the memory will be with me until my time is up. It was either 1974 or 5 at Tiffany's Durdham Down (Bristol) and I recall being in awe of a superb "craftsman at work" throughout his performance I attended several of his appearances over the years, and the last time I saw him was at Stoke in the late 90,s and recall the backing tracks going tits up so he started singing accapella.......an amazing voice that never seemed to lose any quality,and equally a much loved character that is sorely missed!

[Guest ScooterNik]

I met him twice, the first time at an open air concert at Clitheroe castle. I'd had a few pints and maybe a couple of hand rolled too when he came on. One of my mates bet me I couldn't get on stage and so....... quick run and hurl myself onto the stage. Matey grabs a photo or two of me with my arm round his shoulder and i jump back off the stage only to meet a security mans fist on the way down.

After his set Edwin came out front and found me and apologised for the security's behaviour. You can't argue with that....

The second time was only really in passing at Blackburn King Georges Hall where he was appearing in caberet. It was a mates 30th that weekend so we thought we'd pile down in good scooterist style, get slaughtered and watch Edwin. Arriving we realised we may have made a mistake - maybe 20 of us in denims, flight jackets and boots and the rest of the audience were in suits and evening dresses.

Ah, cabaret.. we didn't think it through did we? Never mind, hit the bar and wait for him to come on. A few beers later, Edwin comes on to mass indifference from most there and roars of (fairly drunk) cheers from our corner. Two songs in and we're on the dance floor, the 'normal' people are watching us as much as Edwin as we had one or two good 'Northern' style dancers with us. About now Edwin seems to decide that he's going to start dedicating songs "To the scooterists down here as they seem to be having a good time" and similar for the rest of his set :lol:

After he'd finished we decided to have another quick one then hop a taxi back to the clubs pub as they'd serve til the last man fell. As we were about to leave Edwin came through from the changing rooms and headed over to our tables and shook hands and thanked us for (I may be paraphrasing his words here but you get the jist) 'livening the evening up unlike those miserable sods just tapping their fingers'.

Its a sign of an artist with his feet on the gound when they appreciate the crowd as much as the crowd appreciates them.

Thanks for all the good times Edwin.

[Guest nubes]

I remember when Edwin Starr...gigged at the Northampton show twice.....he played a storming set...the first time..my sis Viki and i..took our Mother with us...who absolutely loved it...I remember him coming over to Viki and myself..saying hello ..and complimenting our Mum....saying he could see where my Sis and Myself got our good looks from ...Mother then asked him..if he knew Marvin Gaye....because she had really fancied him but and i quote...."you are not bad" ...my Sis and myself was mortified.....Edwin.....God Bless Him...took this all in his stride and just laughed....twas like losing a family member when he passed ......Delxxx

[45cellar]

heres one from youtube the late great mr hatcher from my youth club days,25 miles great soul and voice a top man,

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

I still buy his records, by sheer coincidence this one arrived from the States Saturday Morning.

Edited March 30, 2008 by 45cellar

[Guest Una Scot-Oz]

I saw him in '77 at Wigan and I think he was one of the best live acts I've seen. I caught his shirt when he threw it in to the crowd and my regret now is that I cut it up into squares for my friends - anyone still have a piece? I should have kept it and my hubby could have worn it now!

I think Edwin Starr, Junior Walker and JJ Barnes were the three top Northern Soul live acts for me.

[Guest rigs28]

great to hear so much positive feedback about the great man,although i cant imagine him ever singing to backing tapes as one reply states.a true legend.

[Guest Brett F]

Saw Edwin Starr live at Clifton Hall, early 80's, and on numerous other occasions, great singer.Best track for me is the one on 'Granite'. 'I'll Never Forget You'

Edited March 30, 2008 by Brett F

[Guest souliegirlie]

Never saw him first time round, but he played a set at our caravan park a month or so before he died and he was awesome - such a powerful voice for an "old timer" and a connsumate performer. He had my partner and myself up on stage as backing group for one song (it may, too have been "War") and we were kicking ourselves for not having a camera with us. Not a backing tape in sight...

[Chris Anderton]

I Loved Edwin, Great artist and a lovely man too.

I always think we took him for granted a little because he lived so close (well, about 20 miles from me) but he deserves total respect and in my opinion he is as good as anyone you care to mention when it comes to quality northern sides.....Jackie Wilson included!

Chris

[Dazcymru]

great to hear so much positive feedback about the great man,although i cant imagine him ever singing to backing tapes as one reply states.a true legend.

Edwin was the true "Soulmaster". Saw him live many times the last being at Liverpool Philly just two weeks before he died (along with Geno Washington). His performance with his band and backing singers (The Team) was just out of this world, they knew exactly what he was doing when to extend or finish a song etc. Sometimes I wondered if there was a playlist or if everything was done according to the audience.

Edwin did also perform with playback (backing tapes, no band). I guess this was purely down to cost although his band could vary from about 6 to 12 people (I think) playback is considerably less and was reflected in the price charged. It also enabled him to play smaller venues and perform twice in one night (one with playback one with The Team).

I only saw him once on playback which was OK (as it was mid week and free to get in!) and he did his usual trick of claiming that the sound system had developed a fault and sang without backing. His set on playback was also shorter than full band (about 40 mins compared to over an hour).

The best live song I have ever heard was when Edwin sang Tracks Of My Tears on the Dancing In the Streets Tour in 2000. Still sends a shiver down my spine.

Edited March 31, 2008 by DazCymru

[Chris Anderton]

I once promoted an event in Burton and we had Edwin on live...siging to backing tapes, it was a cash in hand deal but i put together his play list, no Contact, no happy radio, not even sos...He did everything you ever wanted him to do, There you go, I have faith in you (acepella), scots on swingers, 24 hours to find my baby, backstreet, soul master etc etc. There were 500 in and he brought the house down...

I remember following him and saying into the mike "How can i ever follow that, all I`ve got is a box of records"!!

Chris

[Dave Rimmer]

I once promoted an event in Burton and we had Edwin on live...siging to backing tapes, it was a cash in hand deal but i put together his play list, no Contact, no happy radio, not even sos...He did everything you ever wanted him to do, There you go, I have faith in you (acepella), scots on swingers, 24 hours to find my baby, backstreet, soul master etc etc. There were 500 in and he brought the house down...

I remember following him and saying into the mike "How can i ever follow that, all I`ve got is a box of records"!!

Chris

And they were shite Disco records as well

[Chris L]

And they were shite Disco records as well

Dave

Edwin sang once in your kitchen didn't he ? Was he trying to get out of doing the washing up

Saw him once circa 1969, at the Agincourt in Camberley, midweek. The tour was on the back of those

re-releases that had started (and of course launched the NS scene - that's another story) he invited

2 people on stage, me and girl sang "If I had a hammer" with him, super bloke. I saw him last time on US TV during a revival concert, I believe it was Pittsburgh, think he died a few weeks later.

I regulary play his stuff in the car and at home, very much the sound of young America. It just

reinforces the edict "go see 'em while you can"....................'cos when they've gone, they've gone

Chris L

[Chris Anderton]

And they were shite Disco records as well

.................

No, as this was about 15 years ago they were probably the records that make up 90% of your spot now!!

Chris

[Jellybean]

sat at home this morning playing a few old records and put Edwin Starr-if my heart could tell the story.wow.forgot how good this was.so much emotion in his voice.my question is just how good was edwin starr as far as the northern scene goes.for me he is up there with the best.one of the best live acts i ever saw without doubt.

Top top man with an oh so soulfull voice

JB xxxKTFxxx

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

Well thanks for someone to clear up that he has sang with backing tapes cause it was when i saw him live, he came to a nightclub in Peterborough in week and i knew when i saw and heard it wasn't so much live not that it was bad cause he was great but considering i have seen Geno Washington, Jimmy James, Jaki Graham, Heatwave, Velvelettes, Real Thing, Clem Curtis, Dean Parrish who have all sung live when i seen them

[Dazcymru]

Well thanks for someone to clear up that he has sang with backing tapes cause it was when i saw him live, he came to a nightclub in Peterborough in week and i knew when i saw and heard it wasn't so much live not that it was bad cause he was great but considering i have seen Geno Washington, Jimmy James, Jaki Graham, Heatwave, Velvelettes, Real Thing, Clem Curtis, Dean Parrish who have all sung live when i seen them

His singing was live, just music and maybe backing vocals on tape.

[Arabica]

sat at home this morning playing a few old records and put Edwin Starr-if my heart could tell the story.wow.forgot how good this was.so much emotion in his voice.my question is just how good was edwin starr as far as the northern scene goes.for me he is up there with the best.one of the best live acts i ever saw without doubt.

Allways been a fan of Edwin, very fortunate to have a meal with him, where he shared with me how he made some of his records,great memories, my favourite tracks, TIME, BACKSTREET, MY WEAKNESS IS YOU, EYE TO EYE CONTACT, when i am out i love to hear an Edwin tune just rush to the floor, seen him live loads a times very powerfull artist ( i remember Jules Holland was a big fan) Edwin was voted THE MOST FAVOURITE NORTHERN SOUL PERFORMER, `He said how much that meant to him he loved his fans and we love him in fact at my venue tommorow i will ask the guys to spin an Edwin.

Regards Mall Redman Federation & Central Soul Clubs Nottingham

[Dave West]

saw Edwin many many times, met the man and he autographed my records. He was in my opinion the number one soul performer on the Northern scene in the seventies with the Major a close second.

Motown Westy

[Dave West]

Edwin was always proud of the fact his name was on the billboard in the film SHAFT

MOTOWN WESTY

[Guest mel brat]

I think I saw Edwin "live" first in 1973, or perhaps 1974? - following that I must have seen him about 8 or 9 times at various venues around the country (I lost count!) We became friends after I sent him a tape of Ric-Tic recordings, including his own, following which Lilian sent me a lovely letter of thanks saying how pleased he was to receive it as he "hadn't heard some of the songs for many years!"

I can honestly say that I was never disappointed with Edwin's live performances, despite the fact that (I blush to admit it), occasionally I just wasn't in the right mood, having seen his show so often! Nonetheless, he was always totally "involved" and soon got me "involved" too, to the extent that I felt completely drained and uplifted afterwards - which is surely what being a true Soul performer is all about?

Besides his obvious stage presence, Edwin was simply an all-round terrific guy, as anyone who knew him will attest. A true "Soul Man" in every sense, who went out of his way to please his fans, and seemed to remember the name of everyone he spoke to! - a not inconsiderable feat, if like me, you have trouble remembering your own name sometimes!! He must have signed millions of autographs over the years, yet even in the early hours of the morning following an exhausting show, I never saw him without that famous broad smile on his face - which I trust we all remember as his "trademark"!

The last time I spoke to him was at a gig at the 'Q Club' in Birmingham. He had turned up to a live show featuring Bobby Taylor and Carolyn Crawford (bringing Martha Reeves and Mary Wilson with him!!) I overheard someone at the bar mention that it was Edwin's birthday and, since I hadn't seen him in a while, I sought him out specifically to wish him a "Happy Birthday" and decided to take that opportunity to actually tell him what a nice guy I thought he was, and how much I appreciated knowing him over the years. I am so glad I did, as I never saw him again. I was deeply saddened by his death, and although I didn't perhaps know him as well as many people on here, I felt a great personal loss when he passed on which I still feel, as I'm sure do we all.

As an all-round performer and entertainer, Edwin ranked with the highest calibre Soul artists I have had the pleasure of seeing over the years, and that includes many, many greats of our music. Edwin was "the man". He was loved and admired by all who met him and the North in particular owes him a huge debt of gratitude for "keeping the faith" with us, as we did with him.

[Guest]

edwin legend in every way running back and forth --say no more should be still getting spins today great track by a great artist

[Tomangoes]

Look, we are trying to keep the music going which is more than most are doing. I've not once slagged anything about the scene just stressing that there needs to be a fresh approach in order to encourage a younger crowd. We don't want to be the 'cool' kids of the week. We want to gat a sucessful club going filled with soul music lovers.

I admire the old guys for keeping their scene going all these years. It shows a real passion and commitment and I'll always love going to nighters. But it will always belong to an older audience because if we're being truthful, noone wants an influx of young people. Noone wants to take the time needed to show them what the craic is. Noone wants to tolerate a few drinks on the dance floor. So we're just trying to put on our own night and hope that we get a nice monthly crowd of people who appreciate what we're trying to do and stick by us.

Why do people on here feel the need to knock anything that the younger soul crowd try to do. If they dance in a video then its shit. If they put a night on then the only reason they're doing it is to be 'cool' and its never going to work.

There's a lot more young people into this music than people realise and there's definitely enough to keep a few good nights going throughout the country. Just because they don't attend the nights you lot attend it doesn't mean they don't exist.

We just want to do our own thing with people our own age in an environment that suits us a bit more. Is that so wrong. Knowing people on here the answer is probably yes.

Thats a fair few comments. I hope you can generate a scene that was just as good as the one I enjoyed starting in 1975. Even then there were guys who had started 10 years earlier not too happy about youngsters coming onto a scene already well established.

The music is timeless, and also not the sole property of any generation, but you have to understand its not something you grow out of and its a fact that within 10 years or so many pensioners will make up a big part of the scene and you will have kids looking at your generation saying the same things to you as you are saying to us. Frightening.

Ed

[Guest east rob]

I think I saw Edwin "live" first in 1973, or perhaps 1974? - following that I must have seen him about 8 or 9 times at various venues around the country (I lost count!) We became friends after I sent him a tape of Ric-Tic recordings, including his own, following which Lilian sent me a lovely letter of thanks saying how pleased he was to receive it as he "hadn't heard some of the songs for many years!"

I can honestly say that I was never disappointed with Edwin's live performances, despite the fact that (I blush to admit it), occasionally I just wasn't in the right mood, having seen his show so often! Nonetheless, he was always totally "involved" and soon got me "involved" too, to the extent that I felt completely drained and uplifted afterwards - which is surely what being a true Soul performer is all about?

Besides his obvious stage presence, Edwin was simply an all-round terrific guy, as anyone who knew him will attest. A true "Soul Man" in every sense, who went out of his way to please his fans, and seemed to remember the name of everyone he spoke to! - a not inconsiderable feat, if like me, you have trouble remembering your own name sometimes!! He must have signed millions of autographs over the years, yet even in the early hours of the morning following an exhausting show, I never saw him without that famous broad smile on his face - which I trust we all remember as his "trademark"!

The last time I spoke to him was at a gig at the 'Q Club' in Birmingham. He had turned up to a live show featuring Bobby Taylor and Carolyn Crawford (bringing Martha Reeves and Mary Wilson with him!!) I overheard someone at the bar mention that it was Edwin's birthday and, since I hadn't seen him in a while, I sought him out specifically to wish him a "Happy Birthday" and decided to take that opportunity to actually tell him what a nice guy I thought he was, and how much I appreciated knowing him over the years. I am so glad I did, as I never saw him again. I was deeply saddened by his death, and although I didn't perhaps know him as well as many people on here, I felt a great personal loss when he passed on which I still feel, as I'm sure do we all.

As an all-round performer and entertainer, Edwin ranked with the highest calibre Soul artists I have had the pleasure of seeing over the years, and that includes many, many greats of our music. Edwin was "the man". He was loved and admired by all who met him and the North in particular owes him a huge debt of gratitude for "keeping the faith" with us, as we did with him.

I FIRST SAW EDWIN AT MIDDLETON CIVIC, ABOUT 1976, & MANY MORE TIMES THRU 70,S & 80,S

WIGAN, ETC THEN SCOOTER DO,S. THE MAN WAS THE GREATEST LIVE ACT I EVER SAW, A TRUE LEGEND.

THE LAST TIME I SAW HIM WAS AT EASTBOURNE PIER, AROUND 5 YEARS AGO, IT WAS A SEVENTIES DISCO, NOT MANY "SOUL" PEOPLE THERE, MOSTLY P*SSHEAD LOCALS.

EDWIN WALKED IN, ALONE, AND THRU THE CROWD MADE HIS WAY TO THE DJ. HE WAS USING A BACKING TRACK. HE BEGAN SINGING, DID ABOUT 3 SONGS, AND THE BACKING PACKED UP. SO WHILE DJ PANICKED, EDWIN DID AN ACAPALA SET OF MOTOWN TUNES, GRAPEVINE, IM LOSING YOU, GET READY, ETC. TILL THE MUSIC KICKED IN AGAIN THEN HE CARRIED ON HIS SPOT.

I AS LUCKY ENOUGH TO WITNESS THIS, ATRUE SHOWMAN, . SADLY MISSED.

MY FAVE EDWIN TUNE- RUNNING BACK &FORTH. CLASS..

CHEERS, ROB