Ex-ALICE IN CHAINS Bassist: 'When They Asked Me To Leave The Band, It Broke My Heart'

January 8, 2010

Former ALICE IN CHAINS bassist Mike Starr is featured as a cast member for the new season of the VH1 reality series "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew". Hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky, the season consists of eight episodes that follow the real-life experiences of celebrity patients undergoing detoxification and treatment at the Pasadena Recovery Center. Joining Starr are country singer Mindy McCready, actress Mackenzie Phillips ("One Day at a Time"),former Hollywood Madame Heidi Fleiss, NBA great Dennis Rodman, Lisa D'Amato ("America's Next Top Model"),former Miss United States Teen Kari Ann Peniche and Joey Kovar ("Real World Hollywood").

A five-minute video clip featuring highlights from the season's first episode can be viewed below. In the clip Starr can be heard saying, "In the heyday of ALICE IN CHAINS, I was the best bass player/entertainer there was. When they asked me to leave the band — it broke my heart." (Note: The Starr portion of hte clip begins around the 2:20 mark.)

"Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" Season 3 chronicles the patients' intensive 21-day program with both group and one-on-one therapy and non-traditional therapies like art and music. Returning to the show to help Dr. Drew are drug counselor Bob Forrest and resident technician Shelly Sprague who have each spent years on both sides of the rehab fence. Dr. Drew is also bringing in some additional prominent physicians to help him give the patients supplementary one-on-one care.

RadarOnline.com reported in early October that Starr was arrested on September 28 in Los Angeles on a drug charge.

Starr joined the New York City-based ALICE IN CHAINS tribute band FACELIFT on stage on May 9, 2009 at Sullivan Hall in New York City to perform three songs — "Man In The Box", "Would?" and "Them Bones". According to the members of FACELIFT, Starr "was in great shape and form. [His] performance was flawless and this just about squashes all rumors of his prior poor health condition. The crowd response was amazing as crowd-surfing and high-decibel applause was present."

Back in April 2005, Seattle's KIROTV.com reported that Mike Starr was arrested in Seattle for vandalizing a car.

A man named Phillip told KIROTV.com that he spotted a man pulling the hood ornament off his vehicle.

He said he recognized the man as Michael Christopher Starr and called police. Starr was arrested for "investigation of property destruction and theft."

Starr, 43, a founding member of ALICE IN CHAINS, had been in legal trouble before in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City. His past charges include DUI, reckless driving, and various drug charges.

Back in April 1994, Starr was sentenced to 30 days in the Houston jail for
misdemeanor drug possession. Starr was arrested at Houston's Intercontinental Airport while trying to check in for a flight to Los Angeles with a suitcase he had stolen from the baggage claim area. Authorities searched him and found he was carrying marijuana.

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