“War”


Edwin Starr - “War”

Related Lessons

lesson:
Musical Reactions to the Vietnam War

Grades: High, Middle
Subjects: Social Studies/History

How were American’s divisive opinions over the Vietnam War articulated by musicians in the 1960s and early 1970s?

Related People

people:
Edwin Starr

(1942 – 2003) Though his career stretched from Doo-Wop to Disco, Edwin Starr will best be remembered for his groundbreaking hit “War,” one of the first Soul records to deliver serious social commentary along with the beat.   Born Charles Edwin Hatcher, Starr pursued a musical career in Detroit after serving in the army, adopting his stage name and signing to the local Ric-Tic label. Starr recorded a series of moderately successful singles for Ric-Tic; then he became a Motown artist when Motown owner Berry Gordy bought the label in 1968.  Though Starr’s rough vocal style was atypical for Motown, his...