List of Starship members

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Top: A lineup of Jefferson Starship performing live in 1984, shortly before Paul Kantner and David Freiberg left and the band became Starship.
Bottom: A lineup of Starship featuring Mickey Thomas performing live in 2010.

Starship is an American hard rock band from San Francisco, California. Formed as a successor to Jefferson Starship, the group originally featured vocalists Mickey Thomas and Grace Slick, guitarist Craig Chaquico, bassist Pete Sears, drummer Donny Baldwin and keyboardist David Freiberg – all were members of Jefferson Starship until October 1984, when rhythm guitarist and vocalist Paul Kantner (who had left in June) sued the band for the use of the name, forcing them to begin operating as simply Starship.[1][2] Freiberg left shortly after the group's formation, however, due to the dominance of keyboards in the band's sound.[3] Sears left early into sessions for the group's second album No Protection, citing an opposition to the band's continued evolution into what he described as a "vacuous, sterilized, escapist" musical style.[4][5]

Slick also departed Starship in early 1988, leaving Thomas as the band's sole lead vocalist.[6] Bassist Brett Bloomfield and keyboardist Mark Morgan were added to the group's lineup in time for the recording of Love Among the Cannibals,[2] having both performed as touring members since the previous year.[7] Baldwin was next to leave, after seriously injuring Thomas in a bar fight before a show on September 24, 1989; the fight was initially not revealed to involve the drummer, but within a few weeks of the incident he was dismissed from the group.[8] Once the vocalist had recovered, the tour resumed in early 1990 with Kenny Stavropoulos on drums. After the tour's conclusion in the summer of 1990, Chaquico, Bloomfield, Morgan, and Stavropoulos left the band. Thomas added producer Peter Wolf[9] on keyboards and continued to record by utilizing session musicians. After the release of the greatest hits compilation Greatest Hits (Ten Years and Change 1979–1991) in the spring of 1991, the band was let go by RCA.[9] Starship became inactive at this time.[2]

In early 1992, Thomas reformed the band under the name "Mickey Thomas' Starship" (later "Starship featuring Mickey Thomas"),[2] with a lineup also including guitarist Jeff Tamelier, bassist Bobby Vega, drummer T. Moran, keyboardist John Lee Sanders, saxophonist Bill Slais, trumpeter Max Haskett and former touring vocalist Melisa Kary.[10][11] The following year, Vega was replaced by the returning Bloomfield.[11] In 1995, Darrell Verdusco replaced Moran on drums.[12][13] Sanders, Slais and Haskett also left in 1995, with Phil Bennett taking over on keyboards.[14] Tamelier was replaced by Erik Torjesen in 1996, who performed with the group until 2000 when he was diagnosed with cancer (he died the following March).[15] John Garnache replaced Bloomfield on bass in 1997. Torjesen was replaced by Mark Abrahamian in 2000,[16] while Jeff Adams replaced Garnache the same year.[17] Stephanie Calvert joined in 2006.[17] Abrahamian died on September 2, 2012 after suffering a heart attack after a show.[16] He was replaced the following month by Winger guitarist John Roth.[18][19] In September 2021, vocalist Cian Coey replaced Calvert.

Members[]

[20][2][21]

Current[]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
MickeyThomas1977.jpg
 Mickey Thomas
  • 1984–1991
  • 1992–present
all Starship releases
Darrell Verdusco 1995–present
Phil Bennett 1995–present
Jeff Adams 2000–present
  • Greatest Hits (2003)
  • Loveless Fascination (2013)
John Roth 2012–present
Loveless Fascination (2013)
Cian Coey 2021-present lead vocals none

Former[]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Craig-Chaquico-KR-2016.jpg
 Craig Chaquico 1984–1990 guitar
Jefferson_Starship_2014.jpg
 Donny Baldwin 1984–1989
Grace_Slick_ca._1967.jpg
 Grace Slick 1984–1988 lead vocals
  • Knee Deep in the Hoopla (1985)
  • No Protection (1987)
1976_Jefferson_Starship.JPG
 Pete Sears 1984–1987
Knee Deep in the Hoopla (1985)
David_Freiberg_1976.jpg
 David Freiberg 1984–1985
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
 none
Brett Bloomfield
  • 1987–1990
  • 1993–1997
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • Love Among the Cannibals (1989)
  • Live at the Stanley Cup (1997)
Mark Morgan 1987–1990 keyboards Love Among the Cannibals (1989)
Melisa Kary
  • 1989–1990 (touring only)
  • 1992–2000
 lead vocals Live at the Stanley Cup (1997)
Christina Marie Saxton
  • 1989–1990 (touring only)
  • 1996–2006
Kenny Stavropoulos 1990
  • drums
  • backing vocals
 none
Ray_Reach_Chuck_Leavell_Peter_Wolf_at_2008_BAMAs.jpg
 Peter Wolf 1990–1991
  • keyboards
  • electronics
 "Good Heart" (1991)
Jeff Tamelier 1992–1996
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
 none
T. Moran 1992–1995 drums
John Lee Sanders
Bill Slais
  • saxophone
  • keyboards
Max Haskett trumpet
Bobby Vega 1992–1993 bass
Erik Torjesen 1996–2000 lead guitar Live at the Stanley Cup (1997)
John Garnache 1997–2000 bass none
Starship2010.jpg
 Mark Abrahamian 2000–2012
(his death)[22] 		lead guitar[22][23] Greatest Hits (2003)
Starship2010.jpg
 Stephanie Calvert 2006–2021 lead vocals Loveless Fascination (2013)

Lineups[]

Period Members Releases
June 1984 – early 1985
Touring personnel
  • Gabriel Katona – keyboards, saxophone (1984–1986 tours)
 none
Early 1985 – May 1987
  • Mickey Thomas – lead vocals
  • Grace Slick – lead vocals
  • Craig Chaquico – guitar
  • Pete Sears – bass, synthesizers
  • Donny Baldwin – drums, backing vocals
Touring personnel
  • Gabriel Katona – keyboards, saxophone (1984–1986 tours)
May 1987 – February 1988
  • Mickey Thomas – lead vocals
  • Grace Slick – lead vocals
  • Craig Chaquico – guitar
  • Donny Baldwin – drums, backing vocals
Touring personnel
  • Brett Bloomfield – bass
  • Mark Morgan – keyboards, synthesizers
February 1988 – October 1989
  • Mickey Thomas – lead vocals
  • Craig Chaquico – guitar
  • Brett Bloomfield – bass, backing vocals
  • Mark Morgan – keyboards, synthesizers
  • Donny Baldwin – drums, backing vocals
Touring personnel
  • Melisa Kary – vocals (1989)
  • Christina Marie Saxton – vocals (1989)
October 1989 – summer 1990
  • Mickey Thomas – lead vocals
  • Craig Chaquico – guitar
  • Brett Bloomfield – bass, backing vocals
  • Mark Morgan – keyboards, synthesizers
  • Kenny Stavropoulos – drums
Touring personnel
  • Melisa Kary – vocals
  • Christina Marie Saxton – vocals
 none
Summer 1990 – spring 1991
  • Mickey Thomas – vocals
  • Peter Wolf – keyboards, electronics
Studio musicians
  • Martin Page – background vocals (1991 – Track: "Good Heart")
  • Peter Maunu – guitar (1991 – Track: "Good Heart")
Band inactive spring 1991 – early 1992
Early 1992 – summer 1993
  • Mickey Thomas – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Melisa Kary – lead vocals
  • Jeff Tamelier – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Bobby Vega – bass, backing vocals
  • John Lee Sanders – keyboards, saxophone
  • T. Moran – drums
  • Bill Slais – saxophone, keyboards
  • Max Haskett – trumpet
 none
Summer 1993 – 1995
  • Mickey Thomas – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Melisa Kary – lead vocals
  • Jeff Tamelier – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Brett Bloomfield – bass, backing vocals
  • John Lee Sanders – keyboards, saxophone
  • T. Moran – drums
  • Bill Slais – saxophone, keyboards
1995–1996
  • Mickey Thomas – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Melisa Kary – lead vocals
  • Jeff Tamelier – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Brett Bloomfield – bass, backing vocals
  • Phil Bennett – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Darrell Verdusco – drums, backing vocals
1996–1997
  • Mickey Thomas – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Melisa Kary – lead vocals
  • Christina Marie Saxton – lead vocals
  • Erik Torjesen – lead guitar
  • Brett Bloomfield – bass, backing vocals
  • Phil Bennett – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Darrell Verdusco – drums, backing vocals
  • Live at the Stanley Cup (1997)
1997–2000
  • Mickey Thomas – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Melisa Kary – lead vocals
  • Christina Marie Saxton – lead vocals
  • Erik Torjesen – lead guitar
  • John Garnache – bass
  • Phil Bennett – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Darrell Verdusco – drums, backing vocals
 none
2000–2006
  • Mickey Thomas – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Christina Marie Saxton – lead vocals
  • Mark Abrahamian – lead guitar
  • Jeff Adams – bass, backing vocals
  • Phil Bennett – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Darrell Verdusco – drums, backing vocals
  • Greatest Hits (2003)
2006 – September 2012
  • Mickey Thomas – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Stephanie Calvert – lead vocals
  • Mark Abrahamian – lead guitar
  • Jeff Adams – bass, backing vocals
  • Phil Bennett – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Darrell Verdusco – drums, backing vocals
 none
October 2012 – September 2021
  • Mickey Thomas – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Stephanie Calvert – lead vocals
  • John Roth – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jeff Adams – bass, backing vocals
  • Phil Bennett – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Darrell Verdusco – drums, backing vocals
Touring personnel
  • Cian Coey – lead vocals (substitute for Calvert in August-September 2021)
September 2021 – present
  • Mickey Thomas – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Cian Coey – lead vocals
  • John Roth – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jeff Adams – bass, backing vocals
  • Phil Bennett – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Darrell Verdusco – drums, backing vocals
 none

Timeline[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Jefferson Starship: Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e Ruhlmann, William. "Starship: Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  3. ^ Barthel, John (September 4, 1997). "David Freiberg Interview". penncen.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  4. ^ Tannenbaum, Rob (August 31, 2016). "An Oral History of "We Built This City," the Worst Song of All Time". GQ. Archived from the original on October 5, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  5. ^ Giles, Jeff (August 15, 2014). "How Jefferson Airplane Became Jefferson Starship - And Then Just Starship". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  6. ^ Walton, Charles (January 31, 2016). "Prairie Meadows in Altoona will host Starship featuring Mickey Thomas on Feb. 13". AXS. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  7. ^ Wilker, Deborah (November 25, 1988). "Fake Starship Returns". Sun-Sentinel. Tronc. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  8. ^ DeRiso, Nick (September 24, 2015). "26 Years Ago: Starship Fight!". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  9. ^ a b Tamarkin, Jeff (2003). Got a Revolution!: The Turbulent Flight of Jefferson Airplane. New York City, New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0671034047. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  10. ^ "Mickey Thomas' Starship joins '92 celebration". Lassen County Times. August 11, 1992. p. 64. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  11. ^ a b Ellingsen, Linda (November 25, 1994). "'Starship' Is Still Flying, Landing In Everett Next". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  12. ^ "Darrell Verdusco - Drums". Starship. Archived from the original on June 20, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  13. ^ Suto, Joseph (October 10, 2019). "Thomas Brings Starship Back To The Falls". Rockshowcritique.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  14. ^ "Phil Bennett - Keyboards, Background Vocals". Starship. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  15. ^ "Torjesen, Erik". San Francisco Chronicle. March 29, 2001. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  16. ^ a b "Starship Guitarist Mark Abrahamian Dead at 46". Rolling Stone. September 4, 2012. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  17. ^ a b Suto, Joseph (June 12, 2016). "Thomas & Starship Take Fans Through Time Machine". Rock Show Critique. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  18. ^ Wood, James (October 25, 2013). "Mickey Thomas Talks New Starship Album, 'Loveless Fascination,' And Remembers Guitarist Mark Abrahamian". Guitar Aficionado. Archived from the original on September 12, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  19. ^ Starship (October 8, 2012). "John Roth, welcome to the Starship family!". Facebook. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  20. ^ Tamarakin, Jeff (2003). Got a Revolution: The Turbulent Flight of Jefferson Airplane. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0-671-03403-0.
  21. ^ "Starship [US] Pop/Rock". Rock Report's Melodic & Progressive Rock Bible. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  22. ^ a b "Starship Guitarist Mark Abrahamian Dies". Billboard magazine. September 4, 2012. Archived from the original on May 29, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2012. Mark Abrahamian, the lead guitarist for the rock group Starship, died of a heart attack after a concert in Norfolk, Neb., his road manager said. He was 46. Road manager Scott Harrison said Abrahamian collapsed after a performance Sunday night.
  23. ^ "Mark Abrahamian". Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2012. Born February 23, 1966, Mark Abrahamian was taught to play guitar at the age of 9 after being prompted by his mother to "pick something to do this summer."

External links[]

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