Who Is Mike Starr (musician)? Age, Biography and Wiki
Mike Starr, born on April 4, 1966, was an American musician and songwriter who gained fame as the original bassist for the influential rock band, Alice in Chains. Starr played a vital role in shaping the band's signature sound with his innovative bass lines and contributions to their early work, including the iconic albums "Dirt" and "Facelift." His musical journey, unfortunately, ended prematurely when he passed away on March 8, 2011, at the age of 44. As of 2025, Mike Starr’s legacy continues to resonate with fans of rock music.
| Occupation | Guitarist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 4, 1966 |
| Age | 44 Years |
| Birth Place | Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 8 March, 2011 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Mike Starr (musician)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Mike Starr stood at approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall and had a remarkably athletic build, weighing around 200 lbs (90 kg) at the peak of his career. His striking stature complemented his charismatic stage presence, making him a memorable figure in the music industry. Although specific body measurements are not disclosed in public records, his appearance often reflected the rock 'n’ roll lifestyle.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
During his time in the spotlight, Mike Starr’s personal life garnered attention, but he kept many details private. He was known to have had various relationships throughout his life. However, specific information regarding his girlfriends or partners remains largely undocumented. His family, including his parents and siblings, provided him support throughout his career, although further specifics about his family life were seldom shared publicly.
In 1983, Starr formed the heavy metal band Sato. Their song "Leather Warrior" appeared on Northwest Metalfest, a compilation album featuring various metal acts released in 1984 by Seattle label Ground Zero Records.
Starr briefly joined another band, Gypsy Rose, which included early Alice N' Chains producer Tim Branom on lead vocals and his future bandmate Jerry Cantrell on guitar. Starr and Cantrell left Gypsy Rose and started working in other bands.
Cantrell wanted to form a new band and his roommate, Layne Staley, gave him the phone number of Melinda Starr, the girlfriend of drummer Sean Kinney, so that Cantrell could talk to him. Kinney and his girlfriend went to the Music Bank rehearsal studios and listened to Cantrell's demos.
Cantrell mentioned that they needed a bass player to jam with them and he had someone in mind: Mike Starr, with whom Cantrell had played in the band Gypsy Rose in Burien. Kinney pointed at his girlfriend and said: "that's weird cause that's his sister". Kinney called Starr and a few days later he jammed with him and Cantrell at the Music Bank.
However, the band did not have a singer. The trio then began staging what Cantrell and Kinney later said were fake auditions in order to coax Staley into joining their band. Eventually, Staley quit the other bands he was performing with at that time and joined their band on a full-time basis.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Mike Starr's net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, largely derived from his successful career with Alice in Chains and other musical endeavors. While individual salary details are not available, his contributions to the music industry, particularly during the grunge era, significantly impacted his financial standing. Posthumous sales of his music and royalties likely continue to contribute to his estate.
Career, Business and Investments
Mike Starr's music career began in the late 1980s when he co-founded Alice in Chains. The band quickly rose to fame, becoming a staple of the grunge scene alongside Nirvana and Pearl Jam. After leaving the band in 1993, Starr pursued various musical projects, collaborating with other artists and exploring new sounds. In addition to his musical career, he appeared in reality television shows, such as "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew," which aimed to address his struggles with addiction and personal challenges. Despite facing difficulties in his later years, Starr's influence on rock music remains significant.
Social Network
Although Mike Starr was not active on social media during his lifetime, his band’s official pages and fan accounts actively celebrate his memory and contributions to music. Fans can find tributes and updates about Alice in Chains on major platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, where many share their stories and experiences related to Starr’s music.
Jerry Cantrell revealed that the lyrics "Left me here so all alone, only for me to find/Hear your voice on waves we rode, echoes inside my mind/Disembodied, just a trace of what it was like then/With you here, we shared a space that's always half empty" from the song "Rainier Fog" are about Staley and Starr. The song was featured on Alice in Chains' 2018 album, Rainier Fog.
Education
Information regarding Mike Starr’s educational background is limited. Before his fame, he focused primarily on music and band life. Like many musicians of his time, his education may have been centered more around personal growth through experiences rather than formal academic training.
In October 2017, Lost Realm Records released a 500-copy limited edition CD+DVD deluxe package of 10 songs, taken from the original master tapes and digitally remastered, and live performances by Starr's previous band Sato, titled Leather Warriors – Sato Anthology 82/86; this package was dedicated to Starr's memory.
In December 2019, Lost Realm announced an upcoming 250-copy limited edition vinyl release of Leather Warriors.
