- Will Starr
Will Starr (
April 27 ,1922 -March 6 ,1976 ) was a Scottish soloaccordion ist.Early life
Will Starr was born William Starrs in the mining village of Croy in Central
Scotland . The oldest son of a family of eight.At the age of two, Will attempted to play his first tune, "Poor Old Joe", on a
melodeon belonging to his father, Joseph Starrs. His family recognised the musical potential in young William and encouraged him to continue playing the melodeon. Later he progressed from the melodeon to the chromatic button accordion which he played for the remainder of his life.Will would frequently play at local events and social functions accompanied by his sister Rosie (a singer).
Teenage Years
At the age of thirteen, while making a solo guest appearance at a County Dinner in the Grand Hotel in
Glasgow , Will was introduced by Sir Ian Colquhoun to Jock Kilpatrick, the manager of the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow. Jock invited him to join the cast as a solo performer, and after being granted permission to leave school early, Will began his professional stage career.Will was seventeen when World War II broke out, and was eligible for military service in the armed forces, however, he was already working in the mines and so became a 'Bevin Boy’.
Will recorded his first 78 record for
Parlophone at the age of 18. The music was of his own composition and was named "The Jacqueline Waltz" after his then girlfriend.Adult Years
Although Will Starr travelled the world as an international performer, he would always return to Croy during his breaks from performing.
After losing a battle with cancer of the spine, Will Starr died in his home town of Croy on
March 6 ,1976 and was buried in the Starrs family grave in Howe Road Cemetery, Kilsyth, Stirlingshire.External links
* [http://www.musicinscotland.com/acatalog/Will_Starr_CDs.html Music in Scotland - Will Starr]
* [http://www.willstarr.com Tribute to Will Starr]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
