Ruby Starr, born Constance Henrietta Mierzwiak (November 30, 1949 – January 14, 1995),^[1] was an American rock singer and recording artist who attained national prominence in the 1970s and 1980s, including for her work with Black Oak Arkansas.

Childhood and early career

Constance was born in Toledo, Ohio, to parents Richard Joseph "Dick" Mierzwiak and Henrietta. Her siblings were Richard Jr., and Suzanne Bonita. Known as "Connie" to her family, Starr began to perform professionally by the age of nine,^[2] singing country music.

Recording artist

She made her first record at the age of 10 under the stage name Connie Little. Her first band was Connie and the Blu-Beats. She left school at 16 to join the Downtowners. She then joined the Blue Grange Ramblers.^[2][3]

She joined the band Ruby Jones in 1969. In 1971 they were signed to Curtom Records and recorded their first album, Ruby Jones.^[2] Shortly after that album's release, Black Oak Arkansas lead vocalist Jim "Dandy" Mangrum was partying after a concert in Evansville, Indiana, at a club called the Golden Record, where she was performing. He asked her on the spot to join the band. At this point she assumed the stage name of Ruby Starr.

Starr toured with Black Oak Arkansas for several years at the height of their success. She was featured in their 1973 Top 30 single "Jim Dandy". In 1974, she began touring on her own again as Ruby Starr & Grey Ghost (members: Gary Levin, Marius Penczner, David Mayo and Joel Williams) and released an eponymous album in 1975, on Capitol Records. Her second album, Scene Stealer, also on Capitol Records, was released in 1976. During this time she continued to open for Black Oak Arkansas^[4] and other acts such as Black Sabbath and Edgar Winter. Starr also toured with Blackfoot from 1977 to 1978. Her third and last album for Capitol, Smoky Places, was released in 1977.

By the late 1970s, Starr had made Milwaukee, Wisconsin her home town and was a popular act in clubs in the region.^[5] By the early 1980s, Starr had formed a new band called "Grey Star" by joining with a band that performed in and around Mayville, Wisconsin called "Lucy Grey", featuring Dave "Mud Slide" Gruenewaldt on the drums. They issued several recordings which included 1981's Grey Star and 1983's Telephone Sex. Starr formed her final road band, "Henrietta Kahn", in the late 1980s.

British band Sons of Liberty recorded a track on their Aces and Eights album appropriately called Ruby Starr.^[6]

Las Vegas period

In the early 1990s, Starr quit the road and moved to Las Vegas, playing at casino/hotels on the Strip such as the Riviera and the Stardust as well as local clubs. During this period, The Ruby Star Band also performed as the opening act for Kansas, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and April Wine. Shortly after she was chosen to perform in the Country Legends show at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, she learned she had cancer.^[5]

Death

After being diagnosed with lung cancer and a brain tumor, Starr returned home to her family in Toledo where she died at age 45.^[7][1]

Discography

References