Northern Northern Soul, Northernsoulinoz, Northern, Soul, Soul Brother, Twisted Wheel, Wigan Casino, Steve Bardsley, Lambretta, Edwin Starr, 

            R.I.P. -  EDWIN STARR
     21 January 1942 - 2nd April 2003

The greatest of them all, Edwin's contribution to Northern Soul will never be forgotten. A true and fine example of Northern Soul, revered in England far more than in his home country, so much so he moved to England where he shared his dreams with his adoring fans. Edwin made a difference and his Northern Soul legacy will live on for ever. Thank You Edwin Starr.

Born Charles Hatcher, Edwin was the brother of soul singers Willie and Roger Hatcher. Edwin formed the Futertones group in 1957 who unfortunately recorded only one single before Edwin was drafted into the U.S. Army. After three years in the Army Edwin toured with the Bill Doggett Combo for around two years and then signed with Ed Wingate's Ric Tic label in 1965. Edwin was also a great writer as well as singer and performer, perhaps his most famous song being "Oh How Happy"

His first and one of his most famous singles with Ric Tic was "Agent Double O Soul" , written by Edwin for himself and so named after Edwin had become infatuated with the James Bond character. Interestingly Chuck Jackson offered to buy this song from Edwin for $15,000, fortunately the offer was declined and it was Edwin who became known as Agent 00 Soul.  This was quickly followed by Stop Her On Sight (S.O.S) and "Headline News" which brought Edwin a cult following in England and where he appeared many times at ground breaking soul clubs such as The Twisted Wheel.

Edwin went to  Motown when Berry Gordy bought the Ric Tic label. Although Edwin fitted in well at Motown and was already good friends with their moonlighting session musicians (The Funk Brothers) who had supported Golden World - Ric Tic artists for many years, Berry Gordy appeared not to like Edwin's "raw" soul style, preferring the "smoother" sound that Motown became famous for. Edwin therefore received little exposure with the Motown label. It was not until 1969 the drought was broken with "25-Miles" and  followed up with Norman Whitfield's and Barret Strong's "War" which was another track supported by the Funk Brothers and which went to No 1 on the US charts in 1970 (mainly due to it being adopted as a political anthem by objectors to the Vietnam war). Edwin left Motown in 1975 and due to his amazing versatility he was able to enthral the disco generation of the late seventies and early eighties with tracks such as "Contact" and "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio".

Edwin had deep moral principles and moved to England in the early 1980s' where he worked with Style Council on a record supporting the striking English Coal Miners, during this era he enjoyed hits on the UK "Hippodrome" label.  From 1989 to 1991 Edwin worked with Ian Levine's Motor City Records, recording remakes of his classic hits including "25-Miles".

R.I.P. Edwin Starr, you have and always will continue to bring joy to millions of people all over the World. Your Northern Soul legacy will live on forever, you made a difference to the world in a good way and that cannot be said of many.
Thank You.