Edward L. Starr

Birth date: May 9, 1956 Death date: Nov 21, 2003

Edward was employed by Granite City Steel as an Operator and was a member of the United Steelworkers AFL-CIO. He had also worked at Cerro Copper in Sauget, IL. He was an avid musician, song writer, lyricist, and proudly represente Read Obituary

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John Gifford

918w ago

Dear Nancy, Eddie, Steve:

Wow - I don't know what to say, though I must admit I found out from my dad several years ago about Eddie's passing......I'm ashamed to not have tried getting in touch with you guys sooner after hearing, but it seemed awkward as it was some time after it happened and I felt funny about trying to call -

Eddie (and you too, Nancy) were such great friends to me, and my "adoptive" family while I was at Parks College. We had a ton of laughs and good times that I'll never forget, and it was a privilege to have you guys at my wedding and to have Eddie sing "Longer" by DF was a memory we'll always cherish.

I dont have your contact information, so if you ever see this note, please email me at [email protected]. I'd love to catch up with you!

Much love!

John Gifford

Margaret Breslau

1066w ago

I still smile when I hear your music. Thank you for sharing your honesty, strength, and incredible talent with all of us.

Bill Gorrell

1120w ago

I was shopping for my copruducer's wedding on the labor heritage site when i stumbled onto the page about Eddie.

I met Eddie in decatur during the warzone years and was impressed with his musicianship, his lyrics, his humility, his voice and his solid sense of his working class identity.

All workers benefit from his work and his songs have often been used to brillianty express proworker ideas on "the illinois labor hour."

I regret learning of Eddie's death at such a late date. I know that many people in central illinois miss him and that hundreds of millions of workers who never heard of him are benefitting from Eddie's artistic battle with the bosses.

Bill Gorrell
Member, LIUNA Local 703
Co-host and commentator for "The Illinois Labor Hour"

Mike Perez

1126w ago

I became aware of Eddie through my friend, Vanessa Vargo, and my subsequent purchase of Eddie's Telegraph Roadsign recording. When I received my copy, I was charmed to find that he had included a complimentary cassette of his memorable labor-oriented performances.

I learned more about this important fellow at the Telegraph Roadsign website. The photos at that website -- Eddie sharing stages with Pete Seeger and, at another venue, the Cowsills -- clued me in to his unique mix of sunny melody, solid songcraft and idealistic social awareness.

We shared an occasional e-mail, chatting each other up about our mutual acquaintance, Peter Parisi, and Peter's memorable STL cable productions. I regret that I did not find the time to scoot down to Columbia IL during my last visit to STL, so that I could have met Eddie face-to-face.

I see that our mutual pal, Vanessa, has logged in to express her heartfelts about Eddie. "Vanessa Vargo" is the sort of recording that power pop aficionados will return to over and over again. Eddie was THAT good of a player and writer. He had a sharp eye for the ways in which pure idealism can manifest itself in real life and real people...people like Vanessa and Eddie himself.

Eddie's open-your-heart-to-yourself spirit permeates every track that I ever heard him play. He'll always be in my heart when I play his disc to get yet another boost skyward and away from those "another day another dollar" blues...

Miss you, Bud. Have fun playin' cards with Petey.

Vanessa Vargo

1127w ago

Dearest Eddie Starr, You left us way too soon. You were much too young and wonderful.

To his beloved family, I only met Eddie once at a concert. He was so nice and then he went home and wrote that beautiful song about me. I shall always appreciate it and cherish it! God bless you Eddie Starr and I hope you are in Heaven with God. I miss you and your simply wonderful talents! In GREAT APPRECIATION and terrible sorrow, Yours, VANESSA VARGO

Bill And Judy Clause

1128w ago

I just learned of Eddie's death. I am so sad. He was a wonderful spirit and a great performer and songwriter.

Kristin Woodrome

1148w ago

Starr Family- My family and I are so very sorry for your loss. When I think of Eddie, I have only fond memories. The Woodrome's have always thought of the Starr's as our family. I am so thankful that my dad had such a wonderful best friend. They sure seemed to click so well together. It seemed like they were long lost brothers. You don't find someone as special as Eddie very often. We were all blessed to have known him. We love you Nancy, and will be here if you need us. Just say the word.

Joel Rosenblit

1149w ago

Eddie was a wonderful spirit. He was a combination of John Lennon and Woody Guthrie. I enjoyed some great times with Eddie when he performed at Steelworker schools, when I was a labor educator at University of Missouri and at the labor jams in st. Louis. Now I'm a lawyer for SEIU Local 503 in Oregon and I heard the sad news in Anne Feeney's newsletter. I will miss Eddie's music and his energy. He once wrote me about his ancestry; he was a genealogist, too. This is a great loss to his friends, his family and the labor movement.

Larry Duncan

1149w ago

Eddie Starr was a talent of the
first rank, a uniquely creative
force, whose songs and voice
made a very big difference in
many battles for social justice.

Long live his memory and songs!

Larry Duncan
producer
Labor Beat cable tv series
(Chicago, Rockford, St. Louis)

Carol Ford-Duncan

1149w ago

I am so very sorry for your loss. I have listened to these wonderful songs for a few years now and wished I would have had the chance to meet the man who made me so proud to be a Proud Steelworker and active Union member. His music has and will make a difference to many of us! God bless you all and our thoughts and prayers are with you.

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