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Ralph Michael Saenz (born May 17, 1965), better known as Michael Starr, is an American musician who is best known as the lead vocalist and occasional guitarist of the comedic glam metal band Steel Panther.[1]

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	David Lee Ralph Michael Diamond Michael Saenz
Born	(1965-05-17) May 17, 1965 (age 57) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Glam metal hard rock
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter musician
Years active	1980s–present

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 satirical 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 and Level Up (vocals on "6969")
• Nanowar of Steel – Uranus
• Various artists – Peacemaker (featured artist in "Pumped Up Kicks")
• Crashdïet - Automaton (Vocals on "Powerline")

References

External links

• Rock Pit Interview
• Michael Starr at IMDb

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