Frank C. Starr

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Frank C. Starr

Birth
Long Island City, Queens County, New York, USA
Death
18 Jun 1999 (aged 40)
Torrance, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Burial
Chatsworth, Los Angeles County, California, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Heavymetal/Rock Musician. A native of Long Island, New York, Starr was born Frank Casamassina. Known for his rough attitude and bulliness Starr was the son of a former biker, and a somewhat biker himself. In the 1980s, he signed a record deal with the Mongol Horde Record Label with his band, 'Alien.' The group included Starr who was lead singer, guitarist Brian Fair, guitarist Rikki Kristi, bass player Damien The Beast Bardot, and drummer Roxann Harlow. They released the 1983 album, "Alien-Cosmic Fantasy," and the recordings, 'Space Prelude,' Star Lover,' 'Headbangin,' and 'Don't Say Goodbye.' In 1984, the band disbanded and Starr moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue further interests in music. It was there that he along with guitarist Richie Pagano, guitarist J.J. Kristi, and bassist/band leader reformed a musical group called, 'Sin.' The group were notorious thanks to Frank's 'Smart-Ass New York attitude' and Fox's friendship. The two became known as 'The Soul Brothers.' The band soon added other members inclding drummer Mark Anthony Bencachea, and soon became a top touring band in and around Los Angeles, California. The group were named 'The Top drawing heavy metal/hard rock act' by the Los Angeles, California, based Music Connection Magazine for 1984. The band's widespread success soon landed in Europe and Japan, and although they began to record demos for there album, Frank left the group to tour with the group, 'The Four Horsemen.' Starr had also been a member of the groups, Bone Angel, Bootleg, Pirate, and L.A.M.F. The group 'The Four Horsemen' originally formed in Hollywood, California, in 1987, with Haggis, lead guitarist Dave Lizmi, bassist, Ben Pape, and drummer Ken 'Dimwit' Montgomery, before Starr became a permanent member in 1988. The group toured and performed until they released there debut full-length album, "Nobody Said It Was Easy" in 1991, on the Def American Record Label. The group became notorious for there drug use and constant run-ins with the law, and in 1991, Starr was sentenced to prison for drug use. The following year Starr again landed in prison for a maximum term of one year. Following his release from prison, the group talked about a possible comeback, but on September 27, 1994, tragedy struck when Ken 'Dimwit' Montgomery succumbed to a heroin overdose. The tragedy was to much for some members and both Haggis and Pape quit the group soon afterwards. The remaining band continued on though adding a new bassist and drummer, and releasing there next album, "Gettin' Pretty Good At Barely Gettin' By.' In November 1995, tragedy struck the group again when Starr was hit by a drunk driver while out riding his motorcycle down Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California. Starr survived, but suffered severe and massive head injuries, and in a coma. Despite the accident the band continued to tour in support of there album. By 1998, though the band had enough and eventually disbanded. On June 18, 1999, Starr passed away form his injuries at the age of 41. He had never woken up from his coma. The 'Four Horsemen' recordings include, 'Welfare Boogie,' 'Shelly,' '75 Again,' 'Homesick Blues,' 'What The Hell Went Wrong,' and 'Back In Business Again.' Following his death Starr was given a big sendoff by fans, friends, and family alike.
Heavymetal/Rock Musician. A native of Long Island, New York, Starr was born Frank Casamassina. Known for his rough attitude and bulliness Starr was the son of a former biker, and a somewhat biker himself. In the 1980s, he signed a record deal with the Mongol Horde Record Label with his band, 'Alien.' The group included Starr who was lead singer, guitarist Brian Fair, guitarist Rikki Kristi, bass player Damien The Beast Bardot, and drummer Roxann Harlow. They released the 1983 album, "Alien-Cosmic Fantasy," and the recordings, 'Space Prelude,' Star Lover,' 'Headbangin,' and 'Don't Say Goodbye.' In 1984, the band disbanded and Starr moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue further interests in music. It was there that he along with guitarist Richie Pagano, guitarist J.J. Kristi, and bassist/band leader reformed a musical group called, 'Sin.' The group were notorious thanks to Frank's 'Smart-Ass New York attitude' and Fox's friendship. The two became known as 'The Soul Brothers.' The band soon added other members inclding drummer Mark Anthony Bencachea, and soon became a top touring band in and around Los Angeles, California. The group were named 'The Top drawing heavy metal/hard rock act' by the Los Angeles, California, based Music Connection Magazine for 1984. The band's widespread success soon landed in Europe and Japan, and although they began to record demos for there album, Frank left the group to tour with the group, 'The Four Horsemen.' Starr had also been a member of the groups, Bone Angel, Bootleg, Pirate, and L.A.M.F. The group 'The Four Horsemen' originally formed in Hollywood, California, in 1987, with Haggis, lead guitarist Dave Lizmi, bassist, Ben Pape, and drummer Ken 'Dimwit' Montgomery, before Starr became a permanent member in 1988. The group toured and performed until they released there debut full-length album, "Nobody Said It Was Easy" in 1991, on the Def American Record Label. The group became notorious for there drug use and constant run-ins with the law, and in 1991, Starr was sentenced to prison for drug use. The following year Starr again landed in prison for a maximum term of one year. Following his release from prison, the group talked about a possible comeback, but on September 27, 1994, tragedy struck when Ken 'Dimwit' Montgomery succumbed to a heroin overdose. The tragedy was to much for some members and both Haggis and Pape quit the group soon afterwards. The remaining band continued on though adding a new bassist and drummer, and releasing there next album, "Gettin' Pretty Good At Barely Gettin' By.' In November 1995, tragedy struck the group again when Starr was hit by a drunk driver while out riding his motorcycle down Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California. Starr survived, but suffered severe and massive head injuries, and in a coma. Despite the accident the band continued to tour in support of there album. By 1998, though the band had enough and eventually disbanded. On June 18, 1999, Starr passed away form his injuries at the age of 41. He had never woken up from his coma. The 'Four Horsemen' recordings include, 'Welfare Boogie,' 'Shelly,' '75 Again,' 'Homesick Blues,' 'What The Hell Went Wrong,' and 'Back In Business Again.' Following his death Starr was given a big sendoff by fans, friends, and family alike.