Edwin Starr

Soul and Motown Singer Best Known for Anti-War Anthem War

Edwin Starr was an American soul and R&B singer who gained significant fame in the 1960s and 1970s. Born Charles Edwin Hatcher on January 21, 1942, in Nashville, Tennessee, he is best known for his powerful vocal delivery and socially conscious songs. Starr's career took off after signing with Motown Records' Gordy label, where he released a string of hits. His most famous single, "War," released in 1970, became a transcendent protest song against the Vietnam War and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track was part of his album "War and Peace." Starr's style combined the intensity of soul music with the rhythms of funk and was characterized by his impassioned vocal style. Over the course of his career, he continued to release albums and singles that resonated with audiences, though none reached the same level of success as "War." Starr continued to perform until his death on April 2, 2003.