Alice in Chains members Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney have spoken out about their former bandmate and bassist Mike Starr, who was found dead Tuesday (Mar. 8) in a house in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“Jerry and Sean are mourning the loss of their friend and ask that the media respect their privacy – and the privacy of Mike’s family – during this difficult time,” Cantrell and Kinney said in a statement. “Their thoughts & prayers are with the Starr family.”
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Alice in Chains Ex-Bassist Mike Starr Found Dead
A slew of rockers have shared their thoughts on Starr’s passing via Twitter. Former Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler, who like Starr was an alum of VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab,” wrote, “R.I.P. Mike Starr!! Such a sad day!”
Trending on Billboard
Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum took the opportunity to send an anti-drug message: “Drugs and alcohol aren’t a joke. Please take care of yourself and respect yourself. We lost Mike Starr today. Rest in Peace man.”
Mike Portnoy, the former drummer for Dream Theater, echoed the sentiment: “RIP Mike Starr… I watched his struggle on Celebrity Rehab and had my fingers crossed for his recovery… this disease kills… sad stuff.”
Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx, who has struggled with heroin addiction, tweeted: “RIP Mike Starr. Another fallen Soldier to addiction.”
Tweeted Lamb of God guitarist Mark Morton: “Horrible news. RIP Mike Starr.”
Among the other celebrities sharing their thoughts via Twitter were Dr. Drew Pinsky, who treated Starr on “Celebrity Rehab” and “Sober House.” “Devastating to hear of Mike Starr succumbing to his illness,” Pinsky wrote. “So very sad. Our prayers are with his family.”
“Mike Starr may you RIP,” comedian Dane Cook tweeted. “Your music lives on forever.”
Pro wrestler/”Dancing with the Stars” contestant Chris Jericho also took an anti-drug stance and referenced Charlie Sheen and the actor’s recent hoopla.
“Sorry to hear about Mike Starr’s death,” he wrote. “Amid all of the joking about tiger blood and winning, let’s not forget that drugs kill people.”