Rubi Starr American rock vocalist Date of Birth: 30.11.1949 Country: USA

1. Biography of Ruby Starr
2. Early Life and Career
3. Later Career and Legacy

Biography of Ruby Starr

Ruby Starr was an American rock vocalist who gained fame in the 1970s and early 1980s as one of the first renowned female rock singers in Milwaukee. Known for her powerful and soulful singing, she became a prominent figure in the local music scene. Sadly, she passed away from brain and lung cancer in her hometown of Toledo, Ohio at the age of 44.

Early Life and Career

Ruby Starr, born Constance Henrietta Mierzwiak on November 30, 1949, began performing at the age of 9 under the stage name Connie Little. During the 1960s, she went by the name Ruby Jones. In 1971, she signed a contract with Curtom Records and released her first album, "Ruby Jones".

Shortly after the album's release, Jim 'Dandy' Mangrum, the lead vocalist of the rock band Black Oak Arkansas, heard Ruby's singing in Evansville, Indiana. He invited her to join his musical group, and from then on, she performed under the pseudonym Ruby Starr. Mark Krueger, the Vice Chairman of WQFM-FM radio station, who met Starr in the 1970s, later stated that she was essentially the first female rock singer to make a name for herself. He recalled those times, saying, "Wherever they ('Black Oak Arkansas') played, it was packed, like going back to the days of the old Electric Ballroom...".

For several years, Starr successfully toured with Black Oak Arkansas and contributed to the recording of the single "Jim Dandy", which reached the Top 30 charts. In 1974, the rock vocalist embarked on a tour with the band Ruby Starr & Grey Ghost, composed of Gary Levin, Marius Penczner, David Mayo, and Joel Williams. The group released their self-titled album on Capitol Records in 1975, followed by their second release, "Scene Stealer", in 1976.

After the second album's release, Ruby continued to collaborate with Black Oak Arkansas and worked with other groups, including Black Sabbath and multi-instrumentalist Edgar Winter. She also agreed to join the 1977-1978 tour of southern rock band Blackfoot. The third and final album by Ruby Starr & Grey Ghost, titled "Smoky Places", was released in 1977.

Later Career and Legacy

In the early 1980s, Starr formed a new group called Grey Star. Their self-titled album was released in 1981, followed by "Telephone Sex" in 1983. By the late 1980s, the singer formed her last band, Henrietta Kahn, and by the early 1990s, she performed solo in Las Vegas at hotels and clubs.

After receiving a devastating diagnosis of lung cancer and a brain tumor, Ruby returned to her hometown of Toledo, where she passed away. Following her death, several archival releases featuring Starr emerged, including a live performance by Black Oak Arkansas on the radio concert "Live On The King Biscuit Flower Hour" in 1976, and a reissued debut album titled "Ruby Jones" under the new name "Stone Junkie".