Michael Starr (singer)
 | This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (March 2010) |
Michael Starr | |
|---|---|
 Starr performing in June 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ralph Michael Saenz |
| Also known as |
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| Born | May 17, 1965 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Associated acts | |
Ralph Michael Saenz (born May 17, 1965), better known as Michael Starr, is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is the lead singer and occasional guitarist of the comedic glam metal band Steel Panther.[1]
Early life[]
Ralph Michael Saenz was born in Chicago on May 17, 1965. He is of Spanish and Swedish descent.[2] He was raised primarily in the Van Nuys neighborhood of Los Angeles, where his father was a college professor. He is often cited as having a Ph.D. in English from University of California, Berkeley, however, this is a common misconception, as Saenz had lied about his education to get an apartment when his credit was being checked. [3][4]
Career[]
Saenz was the lead singer for the David Lee Roth-era Van Halen tribute band Atomic Punks from May 1994 to December 2008, where he used the stage name David Lee Ralph. He formed the band with future bandmate, Steel Panther guitarist Russ Parrish. Saenz was briefly the lead singer for L.A. Guns, singing on the Wasted EP. He also has sung for the bands 7% Solution, First Cause, Long Gone, and Nightfall (where he also played lead guitar). Nightfall was also featured on the KNAC radio sponsored Pure Rock compilation, with Ralph going under the name Michael Saenz.
Saenz appeared briefly in the 2001 film Rock Star, seen in the glass booth auditioning when Mark Wahlberg's and Jennifer Aniston's characters walk into the audition. He glares at the two before Wahlberg's character takes his turn to audition. He also made an appearance as the singing voice for the character of Jimmy Chance on the television show Raising Hope, in the episode "Burt Mitzvah: The Musical", singing the song 'Rock the Torah'.
Saenz formed Steel Panther, a parody metal band, in 2000 with Parrish under the name Metal Shop (soon changed into Metal Skool, Danger Kitty [for a commercial], then into Steel Panther). The band has become successful worldwide, and has many celebrity fans who have performed onstage with them.
He provided background vocals for AFI on the albums Sing the Sorrow and Decemberunderground [5]
Personal life[]
Saenz lives in Sherman Oaks with his wife - an actress named Jocelyn - and their three children.
Discography[]
With Steel Panther[]
- Hole Patrol (2003)
- Feel the Steel (2009)
- Balls Out (2011)
- All You Can Eat (2014)
- Lower the Bar (2017)
- Heavy Metal Rules (2019)
With Metal Sludge[]
- Hey That's What I Call Sludge – Vol 1 (2003)
With L.A. Guns[]
- Wasted (1998)
Guest appearances[]
- Fozzy – Do You Wanna Start a War (vocals on "Tonight")
- Gus G. – I Am the Fire (vocals on "Redemption")
- Ninja Sex Party – Attitude City (vocals on "6969")
- Nanowar of Steel – Uranus
References[]
- ^ [1]
- ^ From an interview with the Swedish magazine Hårdrock.
- ^ http://www.therockpit.net/2011%20Articles%20Interviews/Interview-Michael-Starr-Steel-Panther-July-2011.php
- ^ https://www.loudersound.com/features/steel-panther-is-the-joke-starting-to-wear-thin
- ^ http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/ralph-saenz/648335
External links[]
Authority control  |
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- 1965 births
- American male comedians
- 21st-century American comedians
- American rock singers
- Glam metal musicians
- L.A. Guns members
- Living people
- Steel Panther
- University of California, Berkeley alumni