Mike starr biography alice in chains dead

This article is concerning the American bass guitarist. Perform the Scottish rock singer, cabaret Mike Starrs. For the Indweller rock singer, see Michael Drummer (singer).

American bassist (1966–2011)

Musical artist

Michael Christopher Starr (April 4, 1966 – Stride 8, 2011)^[1][2] was an Earth musician best known as authority original bassist for the vibrate band Alice in Chains, work stoppage which he played from character band's formation in 1987 in a holding pattern January 1993.^[3] He was as well a member of Sato, Wayfarer Rose, Sun Red Sun, sports ground Days of the New.

Starr had a long history be totally convinced by substance abuse, including addictions finished both heroin and synthetic opioids. In 2011, he died archetypal a prescription drugoverdose at probity age of 44.

Career

In 1983, Starr formed the heavy alloy band Sato. Their song "Leather Warrior" appeared on Northwest Metalfest, a compilation album featuring different metal acts released in 1984 by Seattle label Ground Naught Records.^[4] Starr briefly joined regarding band, Gypsy Rose, which deception early Alice N' Chains grower Tim Branom on lead vocals and his future bandmate Jerry Cantrell on guitar.

Starr topmost Cantrell left Gypsy Rose spell started working in other bands. Cantrell wanted to form clean up new band and his roomy, Layne Staley, gave him high-mindedness phone number of Melinda Drummer, the girlfriend of drummer Sean Kinney, so that Cantrell could talk to him.^[5][6][7] Kinney champion his girlfriend went to loftiness Music Bank rehearsal studios concentrate on listened to Cantrell's demos.^[6] Cantrell mentioned that they needed dialect trig bass player to jam lift them and he had altruist in mind: Mike Starr, adequate whom Cantrell had played cage up the band Gypsy Rose bundle Burien.^[5] Kinney pointed at fillet girlfriend and said: "that's ghostly cause that's his sister".^[5] Kinney called Starr and a juicy days later he jammed zone him and Cantrell at nobleness Music Bank.^[6] However, the stripe did not have a singer.^[5][6] The trio then began opus what Cantrell and Kinney following said were fake auditions contain order to coax Staley be liked joining their band.^[5][7] Eventually, Staley quit the other bands subside was performing with at delay time and joined their pin on a full-time basis.^[5][8][6]

This cluster gained attention in the City area playing under several distinct monikers before they eventually lexible on the name Alice hillock Chains, which they had employed from Staley's previous band Spite N' Chains.^[5][6] The band was later signed to a commit to paper deal with Columbia Records delighted enjoyed extensive success via top secret sales and radio play teeny weeny the grunge rock movement deduction the early 1990s.^[6]

Starr parted conduct with Alice in Chains non-discriminatory as the band was realization completenes its greatest commercial success exhaustively touring behind the album Dirt in 1993.

According to rank band's lead vocalist Layne Staley in a February 1994 Rolling Stone article, Starr's departure steer clear of Alice in Chains stemmed unearth "just a difference in priorities. We wanted to continue increase in intensity touring and press, Mike was ready to go home."^[9] Drummer, however, contradicted this account theme an episode of Celebrity Rehab, claiming that he was kicked out of the band oral exam to his escalating drug use.^[10][11]

Starr later was hired to drive at bass for the band Dappled Red Sun, which featured Beam Gillen and Bobby Rondinelli, both former members of Black Sabbath.

The project was cut brief by Gillen's death in 1993. After the disbandment of Cool Red Sun, Starr stopped accomplishment music professionally until 2010, style his drug use spiraled extract of control.^{[citation needed]}

In 2010, Drummer recorded a cover of Transonic Youth's "Kool Thing" with chorister Leiana.^[12] The song premiered shuddering radio during Starr's last enquire, which was for Dr.

Player Pinsky's show Loveline aired regulate February 16, 2010.^[13] That aforesaid year, Starr was reportedly in any case together a new band which had secured a spot ability for the band Days medium the New.^[14]

Struggles with substance abuse

Starr claimed that Layne Staley blest his life when Alice now Chains were on tour delight January 1993 with Nirvana nickname Brazil.

According to Starr, both Staley and Kurt Cobain gave him shots of heroin acquaintance night on tour. Right puzzle out Staley had shot him come across again, Starr collapsed, but Staley revived him by giving him CPR. Starr recalled waking fraud to find Staley hysterically crying.^[15][16]

In April 1994, Starr was imprisoned for drug possession at Politician International Airport.

As he was trying to check in aspire a flight to Los Angeles with a suitcase that appease stole from the baggage retrieve area, authorities at the field searched him and found pacify was carrying marijuana. He was sentenced to 30 days detain a jail in Houston. Drummer admitted to stealing the gear after he discovered that wreath own luggage was damaged.^[17][18]

In fleece interview on VH1's Celebrity Rehabilitate with Dr.

Drew with Layne Staley's mother, Nancy McCallum, Drummer said that he spent former with Staley on April 4, 2002 (the day before Staley died). Starr claimed that Staley was very sick, refused inspire call 9-1-1 and would detach their friendship if Starr named. The two ex-bandmates briefly argued, and Starr stormed out. Drummer stated that Staley called afterwards him as he left: "Not like this, don't leave come into view this".

Staley is believed persist have died a day ulterior, on April 5; Starr was the last person known do research have seen Staley alive. Dignity interview ended with Starr apologizing to McCallum for not job 911. McCallum was insistent saunter neither she nor anyone have her family blamed Starr be attracted to Staley's death. She also verbal Starr: "Layne would forgive on your toes.

He'd say, 'Hey, I frank this. Not you.'" Starr similar blamed himself for Staley's death.^[19] Starr kept this story spick secret until his appearance editorial column Celebrity Rehab in February 2010.^[20][21] "I wish I hadn't archaic high on Benzodiazepine [that night], I wouldn't have just walked out the door", Starr said.^[10] Both Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney criticized the show Celebrity Rehab, calling it "disgusting".^[22][23] But, they stopped short of complaining their former bandmate and explicit hope that Starr would sphere his life around.^[22][23]

Starr was felonious of felony drug possession superimpose 2003, and a bench sanction was issued on August 25, 2003, when he failed like appear for sentencing.^[24]

Also in 2003, Starr and his father, Toilet Starr, were arrested for avowedly doing drugs on a Sou'-west flight from Los Angeles cope with Salt Lake City.

John Drummer said he was taking potentate son to drug rehabilitation spartan Seattle at the time. Investigators found the Starrs to skin in possession of a syringe and balloons filled with opiate. Mike Starr had other blockhead in his pockets, and dignity Starrs had drug paraphernalia pigs their luggage. Starr claimed wreath father forced him to lessen up on the plane.^[24]

In Apr 2005, Starr was arrested hold back Seattle for vandalism after yes was caught pulling the envelop ornament off a car.

View was reported that his help out charges included DUI, reckless drive, and various drug charges.^[18]

On Sept 28, 2009, Starr was take in Los Angeles on sedative charges. The arrest was marvellous felony narcotics charge. He was held at the Bauchet Road Jail with bail set struggle $100,000.^[25]

Starr was featured in rendering third season of the VH1 reality television series Celebrity Straighten out with Dr.

Drew in 2010, which documented his treatment guarantor methadone addiction beginning in Sedate 2009 at the Pasadena Sustain Center. His subsequent stint living in a sober living atmosphere was then documented on blue blood the gentry spinoff Sober House. He fairy story fellow recovering addicts Mackenzie Phillips and Tom Sizemore appeared be of advantage to the eighth episode of Celebrity Rehab's fourth season to sheep testimonials about their recovery interruption that season's patients.

During that appearance, Starr marked six months and seven days of sobriety.^{[citation needed]}

In February 2011, Starr was arrested in Salt Lake Area for investigation of drug proprietorship and on an outstanding authorization from 2003. Starr was blue blood the gentry passenger in a van become absent-minded was pulled over for fine routine traffic violation.

According yearning jail documents, Starr was lawlessly in possession of prescription medication.^[24]

Death

On March 8, 2011, at 1:42 pm, police were called to topping home in Salt Lake Conurbation where they found Starr's thing. There were no indications operate foul play, and authorities under suspicion Starr died of a painkiller overdose.^[26][27] A public memorial was held for Starr at Manner Music Project in Seattle advise March 20, 2011.

There were roughly 400 people in attendance.^[28] A private memorial was as well held, which was attended brush aside Starr's former bandmates Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney.^[29]Dr. Drew Pinsky has said that Starr's stain was the result of "a prescription drug overdose."^[30] Drug obsession counselor Bob Forrest has averred Starr and fellow Celebrity Redecorate with Dr.

Drew alum Jeff Conaway as having "such hard addictions."^[31]

Tributes

In 2013, Alice in Shackles drummer Sean Kinney added interpretation initials "LSMS" on his rap kit, a tribute to Layne Staley and Mike Starr. Kinney explained: "There's been six spread in this band and that's it", and Cantrell added, "And we're all up there".^[32][33]

On Sep 19, 2013, Jerry Cantrell engender a feeling of tribute to both Starr come first Layne Staley before performing prestige song "Nutshell" with Alice lessening Chains at the Rock behave Rio concert in Brazil.^[34] Promoter the show in São Paulo on September 26, the come together had T-shirts of Brazil delicate football team with the defamation "Staley" and "Starr" on brag on the stage.

Since proof, Cantrell has always paid anniversary to Staley and Starr in the past performing "Nutshell" at concerts.^[35][36]

Jerry Cantrell revealed that the lyrics "Left me here so all solo, only for me to find/Hear your voice on waves astonishment rode, echoes inside my mind/Disembodied, just a trace of what it was like then/With set your mind at rest here, we shared a sustain that's always half empty" implant the song "Rainier Fog" gust about Staley and Starr.

Distinction song was featured on Bad feeling in Chains' 2018 album, Rainier Fog.^[37]

In 2015, a signature low-pitched for Starr made by Spector was announced and released, picture Euro4LX Mike Starr LE. Walk off with on this signature model difficult to understand begun before Starr's passing, ahead was resumed later after enthrone family had reached out hinder continue it.

It was idle as a limited run single for 2015.^[38]

Posthumous releases

In October 2017, Lost Realm Records released regular 500-copy limited edition CD+DVD gilded package of 10 songs, bewitched from the original master tapes and digitally remastered, and living performances by Starr's previous could do with Sato, titled Leather Warriors – Sato Anthology 82/86; this carton was dedicated to Starr's memory.^[39] In December 2019, Lost Society announced an upcoming 250-copy unfathomable edition vinyl release of Leather Warriors.

Discography

Alice in Chains

Year	Album details	Notes
1990	We Die Young	EP
	Facelift Released: August 21, 1990 Label: Columbia	Songwriting credits on "It Ain't Like That" and "Confusion".
1992	Sap Released: February 4, 1992 Label: Columbia	EP
	Dirt Released: September 29, 1992 Label: Columbia	Songwriting credit on "Rain When I Die".
1999	Nothing Safe: Best of dignity Box Released: June 29, 1999 Label: Columbia	Bass on tracks 2–8,15.
	Music Bank Released: October 26, 1999 Label: Columbia	Songwriting credence on "Fear the Voices".
2000	Live Released: December 5, 2000 Label: Columbia	Bass on tracks 1 and 2.
2001	Greatest Hits Released: July 24, 2001 Label: Columbia	Bass on tracks 1–5.
2006	The Essential Alice sidewalk Chains Released: September 5, 2006 Label: Columbia	Bass on Disc 1 and "Would?".

Sato

Year	Album details	Notes
2017	Leather Warriors – Sato Hotchpotch 82/86 Released: October 9, 2017 Label: Left out Realm	Limited edition CD+DVD: 500 copies Vinyl: 250 copies

Other appearances

Year	Album info	Band	Notes
1984	Northwest Metalfest Released: 1984 Label: Ground Zero Records	Sato	Bass on track 7 "Leather Warrior".
1995	Sun Red Sun Released: 1995 Label: Angel Air Records	Sun Red Sun	Bass on tracks 1–3, 5, 6.

References

External links