A happy Edwin Starr related story. Through 1986 and 1987 I was a a tech college in Solihull studing Graphic Design. All my class mates were from Chelmsley Wood, great bunch of guys, biggest piss takers ever, my best mate at colleage was a massive Prince fan, so abviously music was big.
Anyhow we got onto Edwin Starr and he says his brother is in his band here in the UK, he knew he lived in the midlands somewhere, so this was credable. So I asked if he could get a signed Photograph of Edwin, yep his brother can do that, it would be a pleasure for a real fan... This all took a few months, with regular updates; 'Edwin has your photo but needs time to sign', 'Edwin's wife has your photo but she is back in the States visting friends', 'its with his brother the drummer, who has been on holiday, but its on its way from Edwins', 'its in the post from Edwin's to his brother, but his brother expects it any day'. All this went on for two to three months, and I was hook, line and sinker!
Eventually it arrives on a Monday morning at college in a really neat cardboard envelope, its a photo copied period hand out print, which looked really good, signed "To Malcolm, my No.1 fan, Edwin Starr" and its my new prized possesion, its framed and it's on the wall !!!
So after two years at college on the very last day, everybody huddles round and the deceptions are announced. As it turned out I was not the only one, but they kept mine till last, you guessed it, my mates Brother had never seen a drum kit, he worked for a local supermarket in Chelmsley Wood
Still love that photo though, in your bedroom, Johnny Wyatt blaring out, Edwin on my wall, the business.
Edwin Starr still the Master!