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Ralph Saenz

b. 1965

American musician

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About Ralph Saenz

Born 1965. Ralph Saenz is an American musician and songwriter.

Ralph Michael Saenz (born May 17, 1965), better known as Michael Starr, is an American musician who is best known as the lead vocalist of the comedic glam metal band Steel Panther.

Early and personal life Saenz was born in Chicago on May 17, 1965. He is of Spanish and Swedish descent. He was raised primarily in the Van Nuys neighborhood of Los Angeles, where his father was a college professor. He is often cited as having a Ph.D. in English from University of California, Berkeley; however, this is a common misconception, as Saenz had lied about his education to get an apartment when his credit was being checked.

Career Saenz was the lead singer for the David Lee Roth-era Van Halen tribute band Atomic Punks from May 1994 to December 2008, where he used the stage name David Lee Ralph. He formed the band with future bandmate, Steel Panther guitarist Russ Parrish. Saenz was briefly the lead singer for L.A. Guns, singing on the Wasted EP. He also has sung for the band 7% Solution.

Saenz formed Steel Panther, a satirical metal band, in 2000 with Parrish under the name Metal Shop (soon changed into Metal Skool, Danger Kitty [for a commercial], then into Steel Panther). The band has become successful worldwide, and has many celebrity fans who have performed onstage with them.

He provided background vocals for AFI on the albums Sing the Sorrow and Decemberunderground. Saenz also briefly appeared in the 2001 film Rock Star, playing the part of a singer auditioning for the fictitious band Steel Dragon.

Discography

With 7% Solution Better Late Than Never (Mitch Perry Album) (1998)

With Long Gone Long Gone (2017)

With L.A. Guns Wasted (1998)

With Steel Panther

Hole Patrol (2003) Feel the Steel (2009) Balls Out (2011) All You Can Eat (2014) Lower the Bar (2017) Heavy Metal Rules (2019) On the Prowl (2023)

With Metal Sludge Hey That's What I Call Sludge – Vol 1 (2003)

Guest appearances Fozzy – Do You Wanna Start a War (vocals on "Tonight") Gus G. – I Am the Fire (vocals on "Redemption") Ninja Sex Party – Attitude City and Level Up (vocals on "6969") Nanowar of Steel – Uranus Various artists – Peacemaker (featured artist in "Pumped Up Kicks") Crashdïet - Automaton (Vocals on "Powerline") Sophie Lloyd – Imposter Syndrome (vocals on "Runaway")

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
University of California, Berkeley
Also known as
Michael Starr, Ralph Michael Saenz, David Lee Ralph

People in Ralph Saenz's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Ralph Saenz's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ralph Saenz?

American musician

When was Ralph Saenz born?

Ralph Saenz was born on 17 May 1965 in Chicago.

What is Ralph Saenz's occupation?

Ralph Saenz is a musician and songwriter.

What nationality is Ralph Saenz?

Ralph Saenz is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Ralph Saenz

· Wikidata: Q3030346

· DBpedia: Michael Starr (singer)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ralph Saenz. https://biography.guide/ralph-saenz/

MLA: "Ralph Saenz." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ralph-saenz/.

Chicago: "Ralph Saenz." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ralph-saenz/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-24 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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