Ralph Saenz
| Ralph Saenz (Michael Starr) | |
|---|---|
 Ralph Saenz performing with Steel Panther at the Key Club. Photo: Tawny Rockerazzi. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ralph Saenz |
| Also known as | Michael Starr, Michael Diamond |
| Born |
17 May 1965 Chicago, Illinois United States |
| Genres |
Glam metal Hard rock |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Associated acts | Steel Panther, L.A. Guns, Atomic Punks |
Ralph Saenz (born May 17, 1965) is most known by his stage name Michael Starr, although he has also been nicknamed Michael Diamond. Starr is the lead singer for the comedic glam metal band Steel Panther.[1] Steel Panther was formerly known as Metal Shop, or Metal Skool and were once featured in a Discover Card commercial as "Danger Kitty."
Saenz was the lead singer for the David Lee Roth-era Van Halen tribute band Atomic Punks from May 1994 through December 2008, where he had the nickname "David Lee Ralph."
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, Longgone, and Nightfall. The latter were featured on the KNAC radio sponsored Pure Rock compilation (1987), with Ralph going under the name Michael Saenz.
Saenz appeared briefly in the 2001 film, Rock Star. Ralph can be seen in the glass booth auditioning, when Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston walk into the audition. Ralph struts, glaring at the two before Wahlberg takes his turn to audition.
Although he has led various groups as the primary vocalist, Saenz also provided background vocals for rock band AFI on the albums Sing the Sorrow and Decemberunderground.[2]
Personal life
He is married to Jocelyn Saenz. He lives in Los Angeles. Michael Starr was interviewed in a Swedish magazine called "Hårdrock" ("Hard Rock") which was released during the summer of 2012 by Aftonbladet who wrote about hot and current Hard Rock and Metal concerts/festivals which where held in the summer 2012 in Sweden, since Steel Panther were going to play at Sweden Rock Festival that year. However, in that interview, Starr said that he is half Swedish and half Spanish.
References
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