Music

RIP Mike Starr, original bassist for Alice in Chains

by Ciaran Thompson

Original Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr, who left the band after the release of their 1992 album Dirt, passed away yesterday in Salt Lake City. Police were called to a house around 1:30 p.m. where they found Starr’s body along with several controlled substances including Xanex and the painkiller Opana.

Although the cause of death is still not yet known, Starr had previously battled drug addiction and was arrested last month in Utah on suspicion of felony possession of a controlled substance. He also appeared on reality TV series Celebrity Rehab, which documented his struggle with heroin addiction.

Friends with guitarist Jerry Cantrell, Starr joined Alice in Chains, a metal-influenced rock band who had just changed their name from Sleeze, in the late ’80s. They released two studio albums and two EPs with Starr before he eventually left (or was kicked out) during the tour for their sophomore album. He was replaced by Ozzy Osbourne bassist Mike Inez.

In a post on their official website, the current members of Alice in Chains said they “are mourning the loss of their friend and ask that the media respect their privacy – and the privacy of the Starr family – during this difficult time. Their thoughts & prayers are with the Starr family.”

A post-mortem examination will be conducted today, however the results of toxicology tests could take two months. Starr was 44 years old. [The Salt Lake Tribune]