By the time David K. Starr stepped up to the microphone to record vocals for his new single “Not Dead Yet,” he had already spent decades carving out his place in the world of heavy metal. Known for his work with Vicious Rumors, WildeStarr, and Chastain, Starr has long been a steady force in the scene.
But life looks different now—and so does his music.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease five years ago, Starr has been navigating a new reality: the physical limitations that creep in, the emotional toll of uncertainty, and the quiet battle of waking up each day ready to fight again.
“Not Dead Yet” isn’t just a song. It’s a declaration.
And for the first time in his career, Starr knew he had to be the one to sing it.
The Emotional Origin of “Not Dead Yet”: A Song Straight From David Starr’s Heart
The track began as a personal reflection on his diagnosis—those early moments when everything changes and nothing feels certain. But as Starr continued writing, the message widened.
“It started about me,” he says, “but I shaped it into something universal—a message for anyone facing adversity. Since it came straight from my heart, I felt like I should sing it.”
Despite the song’s origins, he intentionally avoided naming Parkinson’s directly in the lyrics.
“I didn’t want it limited to that. I wanted people to bring their own story to it—heartbreak, illness, trauma, whatever they’re fighting.”
Listeners have done exactly that. One friend recovering from a stroke reached out to say the music video hit him hard. Many others have shared how the theme of resilience mirrors their own battles.
Starr takes all of it to heart.
How Fans Inspired David Starr After “Not Dead Yet” Went Public
He expected the song to inspire others. He did not expect the overwhelming response to inspire him.
“It surprised me how much people inspired me after it came out. My time as a guitarist is limited—my playing has already been affected—so hearing from people keeps me moving forward.”
Instead of chasing full albums, Starr now plans to release one or two songs per year, each with its own video, allowing him to pour everything into each project while he’s still able to play.
David Starr’s Metal Legacy: From Vicious Rumors to WildeStarr
Starr’s résumé spans several major metal acts, each representing a different era of his evolution. Still, he points to one chapter as the most meaningful: the three WildeStarr albums he created with his wife.
“That was the pinnacle,” he says. “I got clean and sober in my 40s, taught myself guitar, and wrote and played everything.”
The pride in his voice isn’t about success or fame—it’s about transformation. This is a man who has rebuilt himself once already. Now he’s doing it again.
Inside David Starr’s Songwriting Process: Trance States, Instinct, and Horror Films
Ask Starr how he writes and he’ll laugh—because there’s no structured method. Songwriting for him is almost supernatural.
“I barely remember writing most of my material. I go into a trance. I sit on the couch with sci-fi or horror movies on, and ideas just appear.”
Some songs take three minutes; some take years. But none of them are carefully engineered. They’re born from instinct, emotion, and the strange comfort of old-school horror flicks playing in the background.
And if there’s a football game on? He’ll have a guitar in his hand while he watches.
Cleveland Browns, Humor, and Realism: David Starr Beyond the Music
Starr jokes that being a Cleveland Browns fan “falls under the horror category,” but he says it with affection. These days he’s simply enjoying the game regardless of the result.
“If they win, great. If not, I’ve got leaves to blow.”
It’s a fitting metaphor for someone who has learned to take life as it comes—wins, losses, and everything in between.
David Starr’s Musical Influences: The Classic Bands That Shaped Him
Starr doesn’t follow modern trends. His influences stay rooted in the classics:
- KISS — the spark that started it all
- Thin Lizzy
- Judas Priest
- Blue Öyster Cult
- UFO
Phil Lynott remains one of the artists he admires most: lyrically, musically, and emotionally.
If he could go back in time, he’d choose to be in the audience at a UFO show with Michael Schenker, or at a mid-’70s KISS performance—back when they were still hungry and dangerous.
Touring the World: David Starr’s Global Impact Through Heavy Metal
Touring Europe and Japan with Vicious Rumors remains one of the most powerful experiences of his career. It wasn’t about the crowds—it was the sense of connection, watching music cross language and cultural barriers.
Today, thanks to the internet, Starr finds himself interacting with fans from around the world every week.
“That connection never gets old,” he says. “It’s the best part of all of this.”
“Not Dead Yet”: David Starr’s Message of Strength While Living With Parkinson’s
Living with Parkinson’s means adjusting, adapting, and sometimes grieving the abilities that slowly fade. Starr doesn’t hide from that reality.
But he also refuses to let it define him.
“Some days I feel good, some days I don’t—but you can’t fold your hand.”
Not Dead Yet isn’t just a title—it’s his truth. A reminder that as long as he wakes up, smiles, and keeps fighting, he’s still here. Still creating. Still standing tall.
And he isn’t finished.
Not by a long shot.
You can find his new single on streaming platforms and follow him on social media to keep up with his journey:
Dave K Starr – Facebook
David K Starr – Instagram