Stars

Inducted 21 Aug 2015

Stars was established in May, 1975 evolving from local band Flash.  With an original line-up of Mick Pealing (vocals); Malcolm Eastick (guitar), Glyn Dowding (drums) and Graham Thompson (bass), the band built up a local following with its mix of southern country rock and heavier material.  On the recommendation of Little River Band’s Beeb Birtles, the band were signed to Mushroom Records and re-located to Melbourne. 

With a distinctive country rock sound, ‘Quick On The Draw’, Stars’ first single, was released in May, 1976, making the national chart.   Guitarist and songwriter, Andrew Durant, who had previously played with Eastick and Dowding in AstraKhan, joined shortly after its release.  ‘With A Winning Hand’, the band’s second single, also charted, as did ‘Mighty Rock’ and ‘Look After Yourself’, released in advance of their successful first album, ‘Paradise’, at the end of 1977.  Over the following eighteen months, three further singles and a second album, ‘Land Of Fortune’ were released.

By the time of issue of the live album, ‘1157’ (named after the number of gigs the band had played) in mid-1980, Stars had disbanded.  Guitarist Andrew Durant had passed away in May that year and, in August 1980, The Andrew Durant Memorial Concert was held featuring members of Stars and many stars of Australian rock, performing his music.  Released on album, it reached the Top Ten of the Kent Music Report.  In their four years together, Stars’ made a significant impact both locally and nationally as one of the first Australian bands to embrace country rock.