Ruby Starr was a rock singer who rose to fame in the 1970s for her work with Black Oak Arkansas, Black Sabbath, and other bands. She had a powerful voice and a charismatic stage presence that earned her the admiration of many fans and musicians. However, her life was cut short by a deadly disease that took her away at the age of 45. What was Ruby Starr’s cause of death and how did it affect her career and legacy?
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Early Life and Career
Ruby Starr was born as Constance Henrietta Mierzwiak on November 30, 1949, in Toledo, Ohio. She began singing at the age of nine, performing country music under the stage name Connie Little. She later joined various bands such as Connie and the Blu-Beats, the Downtowners, the Blue Grange Ramblers, and Ruby Jones. In 1971, she signed with Curtom Records and released her first album, Ruby Jones.
Breakthrough with Black Oak Arkansas
Her big break came in 1973, when she joined the Southern rock band Black Oak Arkansas as a guest vocalist. She adopted the stage name Ruby Starr and became known for her duet with lead singer Jim “Dandy” Mangrum on the hit song “Jim Dandy”. She also appeared on several albums and tours with the band, adding her distinctive vocals to their hard-rocking sound.
Solo Career and Collaborations
In 1974, Starr formed her own band, Ruby Starr & Grey Ghost, and released an eponymous album in 1975. She also continued to perform with Black Oak Arkansas and other acts such as Black Sabbath and Edgar Winter. Her second solo album, Scene Stealer, came out in 1976, followed by Smoky Places in 1977. By the late 1970s, she moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she became a popular act in local clubs. She also formed a new band called Grey Star in the early 1980s, releasing two albums: Grey Star in 1981 and Telephone Sex in 1983. She later formed another band called Henrietta Kahn in the late 1980s.
Final Years and Death
In the early 1990s, Starr quit touring and moved to Las Vegas, where she performed at casino hotels such as the Riviera and the Stardust. She also opened for bands such as Kansas, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and April Wine. However, her health began to decline as she was diagnosed with brain cancer. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy, but the disease proved to be fatal. She died on January 14, 1995, at the age of 45.
Legacy and Tributes
Ruby Starr was a talented and influential singer who left a mark on the rock music scene of the 1970s and beyond. She was admired by many of her peers and fans for her vocal skills and personality. She was also a pioneer for female rock singers who followed in her footsteps. Her death was mourned by many who remembered her as a star.
Some of the tributes that were paid to her after her death include:
- A memorial concert was held in Milwaukee in 1995, featuring some of her former bandmates and friends.
- British band Sons of Liberty recorded a song called “Ruby Starr” on their Aces and Eights album in 1997.
- A documentary film about her life and career called Ruby’s Story was released in 2004.
- A biography book titled Ruby Starr: The Lady Is A Legend was written by Michael Streed in 2006.
- A plaque honoring her was installed at the Toledo Music Walk of Fame in 2012.
According to Wikipedia, Find a Grave, and The Toledo Gazette, these are some of the sources that provide more information about Ruby Starr’s cause of death and her life story.
