Why did Mike Starr leave the band Alice In Chains?

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Alice in Chains were part of the prominent quartet of grunge bands, which also included Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Soundgarden. Just like these other groups, however, Alice in Chains did not achieve success overnight. Instead, they spent years refining their unique sound through practice and performance.

Mike Starr played a significant role in the evolution of Alice In Chains. He was the bassist when the band debuted in 1987 and remained with them during their initial surge of popularity in the early ’90s. Regrettably, Starr parted ways with the band in 1993, shortly after the release of the renowned album “Dirt.

In a 1994 interview with Rolling Stone, the other band members – namely Layne Staley (vocalist), Jerry Cantrell (lead guitarist), and Sean Kinney (drummer) – discussed Starr’s departure. They stated that the bassist found it challenging to align with their goals, and eventually grew weary of the constant touring.

Was Mike Starr fired from Alice In Chains?

Staley explained it simply as a matter of differing priorities. He and his team preferred to keep up with extensive tours and media engagements, whereas Mike seemed eager to return home. Over time, various explanations have emerged regarding Starr’s departure.

According to Revolver Magazine, the band members found Starr’s drug addiction problematic, an issue they didn’t wish to deal with. This was hinted at during a 2010 interview by the bassist on Loveline, where he confessed to using heroin the night before his last Alice In Chains performance, and even claimed to have done so with the lead singer of Nirvana, Kurt Cobain.

Starr mentioned an instance where his bandmate Layne Staley aroused him due to a near-overdose situation. “I found myself… and [Layne] had me under the shower spray,” he recounted. “I was unresponsive,” he added. “He was weeping and striking my face. I asked, ‘What’s going on? What did I do wrong?’ He replied, ‘You were lifeless for eleven minutes, Mike.’

How did Mike Starr die?

Following his departure from Alice In Chains, Starr quickly became a member of the band Sun Red Sun. However, their ascent to popularity was tragically halted when their lead vocalist, Ray Gillen, passed away. Subsequently, it proved challenging for Starr to secure further work in the music industry. Since the release of Sun Red Sun’s self-titled album in 1995, he hasn’t contributed to any other rock recordings.

Sadly, Starr’s struggle with drug abuse proved too powerful for him. In 2005, he was apprehended for vandalism, charged with drugs in 2009, and had an outstanding warrant in 2011. He attempted to overcome his addiction on the reality show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2010, but it seemed he couldn’t maintain sobriety.

On March 11, 2011, a month following his last arrest, Starr was tragically discovered deceased. His death was attributed to an overdose of prescribed medications. A heartfelt memorial service was held for him, and his previous bandmates Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney were among those who paid their respects (Staley passed away in 2002). Over the subsequent years, Cantrell and Kinney have honored Starr through tributes in their concerts and music.

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2025-02-25 23:00