Ruby Starr

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

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, singing country music.

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.

She joined the band 'Ruby Jones' in 1969. In 1971 they were signed to Curtom Records and recorded their first album, Ruby Jones. 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 (To The Rescue)". 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 and other acts such as Black Sabbath and Edgar Winter Group. Starr also toured with Blackfoot from 1977 to 1978. Her third and last album for Capitol, Smoky Places, was released in 1977.

Biography summary from English Wikipedia.