Protesting politics and especially war during the Vietnam era, psychedelic soul singer Edwin Starr more than made his contribution to the ‘60s and ‘70s with a soundtrack including war protest favorites like "War" and "Stop the War Now." The funky Motown legend will go down in history next to the names James Brown and Marvin Gaye, his incredible musical style finding exactly the right generation for an explosive career.

Starr was born in Nashville, Tennessee with the name Charles Hatcher, but being a star(r) was always in the cards for him. The cousin of renowned soul singer Roger Hatcher, Starr began his phenomenal career in Cleveland with the doo wop quintet the FutureTones. Still in high school, Starr led the FutureTones to success with a small recording contract, but everything changed when he was drafted into the military in 1960. Returning in 1962, the vocalist made a cameo in Bill Doggett's group for two years before branching off on his own with the hit song "Agent Double-O-Soul," a spy-themed play on James Bond. The song proved that Edwin Starr had finally made the big leagues, but he wasn't done yet.

His follow-up single "Stop Her on Sight (S.O.S.)" was a Top Ten hit, and soon he was cast among the stars. Producer Norman Whitfield co-wrote the anti-war protest song "War," which Starr made a number one hit on the pop charts in 1970. The song was an instant nationwide favorite, and his follow-up single "Stop the War Now" also made the R&B Top Five. Already conquering the pop and black audiences, Starr went on to become a disco icon, as well, with songs like "Contact" and "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio." Edwin Starr eventually moved to the U.K. in the 1980s, participating in a grab bag of musical activities including a Marvin Gaye tribute album before his death in 2003.