List of Starship members


Starship is an American hard rock band from San Francisco, California. Formed as a successor to Jefferson Starship, the group originally featured vocalists Mickey Thomas and Grace Slick, guitarist Craig Chaquico, bassist Pete Sears, drummer Donny Baldwin and keyboardist David Freiberg – all were members of Jefferson Starship until October 1984, when rhythm guitarist and vocalist Paul Kantner sued the band for the use of the name, forcing them to begin operating as simply Starship. Freiberg left shortly after the group's formation, however, due to the dominance of keyboards in the band's sound. Sears left early into sessions for the group's second album No Protection, citing an opposition to the band's continued evolution into what he described as a "vacuous, sterilized, escapist" musical style.
Slick also departed Starship in early 1988, leaving Thomas as the band's sole lead vocalist. Bassist Brett Bloomfield and keyboardist Mark Morgan were added to the group's lineup in time for the recording of Love Among the Cannibals, having both performed as touring members since the previous year. Baldwin was next to leave, after seriously injuring Thomas in a bar fight before a show on September 24, 1989; Baldwin's involvement in the fight was initially kept secret, but within a few weeks of the incident he was dismissed from the group. Once Thomas had recovered, the tour resumed in early 1990 with Kenny Stavropoulos on drums. After the tour's conclusion in the summer of 1990, Chaquico, Bloomfield, Morgan, and Stavropoulos left the band. Thomas added producer Peter Wolf on keyboards and continued to record by utilizing session musicians. After the release of the greatest hits compilation Greatest Hits (Ten Years and Change 1979–1991) in the spring of 1991, the band was let go by RCA. Starship became inactive at this time.
In early 1992, Thomas reformed the band under the name "Mickey Thomas' Starship", with a lineup also including guitarist Jeff Tamelier, bassist Bobby Vega, drummer T. Moran, keyboardist John Lee Sanders, saxophonist Bill Slais, trumpeter Max Haskett and former touring vocalist Melisa Kary. The following year, Vega was replaced by the returning Bloomfield. In 1995, Darrell Verdusco replaced Moran on drums. Sanders, Slais and Haskett also left in 1995, with Phil Bennett taking over on keyboards. Tamelier was replaced by Erik Torjesen in 1996, who performed with the group until 2000 when he was diagnosed with cancer. John Garnache replaced Bloomfield on bass in 1997. Torjesen was replaced by Mark Abrahamian in 2000, while Jeff Adams replaced Garnache the same year. Stephanie Calvert joined in 2006. Abrahamian died on September 2, 2012, after suffering a heart attack after a show. He was replaced the following month by Winger guitarist John Roth. In September 2021, vocalist Cian Coey replaced Calvert. In November 2024, Chelsee Foster replaced Coey on vocals.

Members

Former

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Craig Chaquico1984–1990lead guitar
Donny Baldwin1984–1989
Grace Slick1984–1988lead and backing vocals
Pete Sears1984–1987Knee Deep in the Hoopla
David Freiberg1984–1985none
Brett Bloomfield
Mark Morgan1987–1990keyboardsLove Among the Cannibals
Melisa Karylead and backing vocalsLive at the Stanley Cup
Christina Marie Saxtonlead and backing vocalsLive at the Stanley Cup
Kenny Stavropoulos1990none
Peter Wolf1990–1991"Good Heart"
Jeff Tamelier1992–1996none
T. Moran1992–1995drumsnone
John Lee Sanders1992–1995none
Bill Slais1992–1995none
Max Haskett1992–1995trumpetnone
Bobby Vega1992–1993bassnone
Erik Torjesen1996–2000lead guitarLive at the Stanley Cup
John Garnache1997–2000bassnone
Mark Abrahamian2000–2012 lead guitarGreatest Hits
Stephanie Calvert2006–2021lead and backing vocalsLoveless Fascination
Cian Coey2021–2024lead and backing vocalsnone