Crossword puzzle clue "how a silence title starts"

How a ". . . Silence" title starts

Its season starts today; its equipment starts the starred answers

Informal chat, and based on the starts of the starred answers, this puzzle's title

Musical that starts with an announcement of the title character's death

R. Kelly hit whose last title word is aptly rhymed with "sky" in the lyrics ... and a hint to the starts of the other four longest puzzle answers

1970 Paul McCartney song whose title starts with an "answer": 3 wds.

Title that can precede the starts of the four longest Across answers

2009 Daughtry song whose title starts with an "answer": 2 wds.