The first time I saw him sing, I knew somehow that he was going to be a member of VR and that we would have many great years together as friends and as band members.
Carl and I made musical history. Long after I am gone, the music that I made with Carl and VR will live on.
Carl was a very unique man. Most people know of him as the singer from Vicious Rumors, but he was much more than that. He was one of the funniest guys I have ever known. He could have made a living as a comedic actor, and this is something that I remember telling him several times: If VR does not work out, go to Hollywood and get discovered! He would always downplay comments like that, and he was always modest about himself and his talents.
He had a big crush on the actress Linda Hamilton, and I would tell him to write her letters and try to get in touch with her. He would always say, "you're crazy, what would she want with someone like me?" So much for his ego!
Carl was not perfect, and I knew that side of him as well. He did some things that really hurt me when I left VR, and we never spoke again.
A year and a half after I left the band, he was gone. That is a pretty awful way to end a friendship, and it will stick with me for the rest of my life. Lost chances, lost opportunities, lost memories that could have been but will never be.
5 years have come and gone since Carl passed away, and I think of him every day...It still hurts me to think of the way it ended, but as time passes I grow to accept things and realize that there is nothing I will ever be able to do to turn back the clock for Carl. It has made me appreciate life more, and take nothing for granted.
I hope people will learn from this and not repeat the mistakes that Carl, myself, and others from VR made. Life is too short.
Thanx
for the memories Carl both good and bad, you have made me
a better person today.
I miss all the great times we had together....Keep the
Faith...
Dave Starr 3/2000
