His story: Lemar, 37, singer
When Angelo started in my band around 2003, it was shortly after I’d been on Fame Academy. The whole celebrity thing was quite raw for me. I was so caught up in the intensity and whirlwind of fame that I wouldn’t say I engaged with him immediately. But once it came to the rehearsals for my tour I knew he was someone I wanted around. He’s a beast on the guitar, with a calming personality. He’s been in my band for 12 years.
Where certain people in my team are fire, Angelo is water. He’s a thinker. He’ll take a moment, calm down, and then speak with emotion. When you’re trying to navigate the minefield of the music industry you have to use your brain.
He’s been in the industry since childhood. His brother was Edwin Starr, who was with Motown and had a massive hit with “War”. Angelo was around the greats – from Aretha to Marvin. I love hearing his stories. It’s helpful for me when he draws parallels between me and other artists – especially when we’re going through transitions, like we are now with a new label and management.
As confident and as positive as we come across on stage, you can still need reassurance from the right avenue. Listening to him gives me an inner confidence and helps me along my path. Personally, at the moment I’m trying to steer my sound to full-on soul, as opposed to compromising on a more pop sound. Angelo’s brother was full-on soul but experienced the intensity of having a big hit, so I ask him about that and how Edwin handled it.
Angelo’s aura is something that I try to take on board and use in my day-to-day dealings with people: like him, I want to use my brain and not my heart all the time.
His story: Angelo Starr, 56 musician
I had reached an impasse in 2003 when my brother Edwin passed away. Truthfully I didn’t even know if I still wanted to be in music. I came to the UK from the States because of him. Family and music was what I knew. It felt like the end of an era. But it was getting involved with Lemar and his band that helped me realise that I wanted to continue in music. I felt those family-type bonds from being in Lemar’s camp.
When we first met, Lemar was much more shy. Perhaps it was just because he didn’t know me. In the early days of any artist’s career you’ve got lots of people surrounding you, and for some artists that can make them look like a different person from who they really are. But I could tell he was the same guy he’s always been. He was just doing what he loves.
Through my brother I got the chance to see the Motown Revues with artists like Marvin Gaye. In Lemar I can see similarities to some of the artists I met then. There’s a difference in a true artist, somebody who is not just manufactured. It’s very difficult to put your heart in front of the world, to expose yourself the way he does through his music and lyrics.
I suspect there’s a large thank you that I need to give to Lemar for sticking by me. As an artist you have to have a certain level of control of your band, because new people will come in and suggest changes. But I’m still here, thankfully. It’s like a party that started 12 years ago and is still going on.
I would love for everyone to know Lemar as I do. The nice guy you think you see really is that guy. It’s not an act – it’s just who he is.
Lemar’s single ‘The Letter’ is out now
