Former Alice in Chains Bassist Mike Starr Dead at 44

By Tracey Harrington McCoy Posted Mar 8th 2011 08:05PM

Mike Starr, former Alice in Chains bassist and 'Celebrity Rehab' participant, was found dead in Utah on Tuesday, TMZ.com reports. Police tell the website the rocker's body was found in a Salt Lake City home around 1:45PM. The cause of death is still unknown. Starr was 44.

The bassist was arrested just last month for felony possession of a controlled substance. He was found with six Xanax and six painkiller pills at the time of his arrest.

"It's a terrible shock and tragedy," Starr's father told TMZ on Tuesday.

"Devastating to hear of Mike Starr succumbing to his illness. So very sad. Our prayers are with his family," Dr. Drew Pinsky tweeted. Starr appeared on the third season of 'Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew' in 2009.

Starr was the original bassist of Alice in Chains and played on their first studio album, 'We Die Young.' During his stint on 'Celebrity Rehab,' Starr confessed he was kicked out of the rock band in 1993 because of his drug problem.

Tags: Mike Starr

Comments

(43)

Tuesday 08 March

By Kristin999

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wow, I was really rooting for him since celeb-rehab. Too sad!

By sniddog2011

Darn it, I was rooting for him too. :(

Wednesday 09 March

By stu

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wonder how many addicts "make it" after Dr Drew works on them?
Dr D & Dr Phill r quacks looking to get noticed off other peeps misery.

By Madison

@STU - It's about conquering addiction and, sadly, even the best Dr on the face of the earth cannot help someone who's determined to continue using. Drew Pinksy actually has a very good reputation in the area, as a friend of mine lives there and knows him. Dr Phil? Eh - at least he SENDS them to the right people who can help as opposed to trying it all on his own. Not that I'm a huge fan but, in the end, at least they are trying to help people instead of bringing them down.

By pinksnoot

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its a shame he needed real rehab not a dr drew celebrity fiasco show.
so sorry to read that he died

By frameit

Dr. Drew is a REAL DOCTOR and he does help many people. Relapse and death can occur, unfortunately.

By Rachel

That is so sad. I watched him on celebrity rehab and was hoping he would be able to stay clean :(

By Lillian McKinney

Recently saw Mike Starr as an invited guest on the 4th season of Dr. Drew and he thanked Dr. Drew for helping him kick the habit od drugs. He looked so good. It's really sad and he will be missed!

By doglover81p

Very sorry to hear this. RIP Mike.

By Heidi

Dr. Drew did everything he could for Mike. I can tell he truly cares about his patients. Mike was doing so good, he was on this season as a 'success story' admitting he'd gone back once but reached out right away for help and got back on track. He looked so peaceful and happy. I hope sincerely this does not discourage any other patients out there who will grieve this loss and feel scared that they could go there too. I hope if they feel that way they will talk to their sponsor and take it seriously. I especially feel for those who participated in the season with him - Tom Sizemore, Amber....guys, don't go down that road. Live for him. He was never happier than when he was sober. He'd want that for you.

By Amber

This makes me sad. I was rooting for Mike's recovery. I think he had a good heart, he just couldn't kick his demons. I know this breaks Lane's moms heart too. Probably like losing a son all over again. :(

By Liz

Wow Amber, you couldn't have said it better!

By mellorqst

"a shock and a tragedy".. lol when some loadie offs himself is a shock and a tragedy.. good riddance. time to move on to that great crack pipe in the sky.....

By turbogtrmstr

I feel for him also, I saw him on the show. The guy really could not knock off the monkey so to speak. Sad to see I wanted them all to make it. God Bless you, now you are at peace. Rock in the great beyond.

By K

How sad. Drugs can have a terrible hold on people. I was hoping he would be ok. RIP.

By Tinman0670

The first Alice In Chains album was not called We Die Young, it was called Facelift. Mike also played on the EP Sap and the next album Dirt. After Alice In Chains Mike played in a band called Sun Red Sun, which featured former Black Sabbath & Badlands vocalist Ray Gillen. The CD that was recorded was the last thing Ray sang on before he died from AIDS. Now another one from that recording has died. RIP Mike.

By Bella

You are correct! Mike and Ray played with Jake E.Lee and a Guy named Artie whom live in Yonkers NY. They recorded in Elcetric Ladyland in NYC, Ray and I were drear friends and stayed at my house as well as Mike for 2 weeks while they were in town, nice guys but got caught up like other sad stories of these artists, Mike with drugs and Ray with sex, both with tragic endings..RIP my friends..Its another sad day for me. Everyone be good to yourselves.

Thursday 10 March

By the time Ray was singing with Sun Red Sun I'm pretty sure him and Jake E. Lee weren't on speaking terms as Ray had been kicked out of Badlands. As far as Sun Red Sun, it was Ray, guitarist Al Romano, Mike Starr, and drummer Bobby Rondinelli, who after the recordings would leave to join (how ironic) Black Sabbath.

By harrisonjh

so sad.

By billbagginz

MIKE WASA A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE . ALTHOUGH I HAVEN`T SEEN HIM FOR QUITE A LONG TIME IT STILL HURTS WHEN A FRIEND DIES FROM THIS DAMN THING CALLED ADDICTION. I`VE BEEN CLEAN FOR GOING ON 10 YRS AND WAS REALLY HOPEFULL THAT MIKE WOULD FIND WHAT I`VE FOUND. PEACE IN SOBRIETY. RIP MY FRIEND YOU WILL BE MISSED.

BILL SHOOPMAN

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