Alice In Chains have paid tribute to their former bassist Mike Starr, who was found dead yesterday (March 8) in Salt Lake City.
Guitarist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney issued a statement about Starr‘s passing.
“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,” the statement read. “Their thoughts and prayers are with the Starr family.”
Many other musicians have offered tributes today. Former Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum tweeted from Twitter.com/mattsorum: “Drugs and alcohol aren’t a joke. Please take care of yourself and respect yourself. We lost Mike Starr today. Rest in peace man.”
Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx tweeted from Twitter.com/nikkisixx: “RIP Mike Starr. Another fallen soldier to addiction.”
Former Avenged Sevenfold drummer Mike Portnoy also offered his sympathies, tweeting from his page, Twitter.com/mikeportnoy. “RIP Mike Starr… I watched his struggle on Celebrity Rehab and had my fingers crossed for his recovery,” he wrote. “This disease kills… sad stuff.”
Poison singer Bret Michaels, Matchbox Twenty singer Rob Thomas and another ex-Guns N’ Roses drummer, Steven Adler, also paid their respects online.
The cause of Starr‘s death is yet to be confirmed.