Stars

Adelaide (Australia) band Stars were dubbed “rock & roll cowboys” early in their careers because they wore western-style boots and hats onstage. It was an image they found hard to shake, and it hampered the band’s progress somewhat.

Their big break came in 1976 when they played as support act to Little River Band at a gig in Adelaide and impressed LRB guitarist, Beeb Birtles.

Birtles produced their debut single, Quick on the Draw, which reached the Australian Kent Music Report Top 30 in July 1976.

Stars’ guitarist Andy Durant died of cancer on 6 May 1980, at the age of 25.

Many noted Australian artists (including Renee Geyer, Richard Clapton, Ian Moss and the other members of Stars) rallied together to participate in the Andy Durant Memorial Concert held at the Palais Theatre, Melbourne, on 19 August 1980. The concert was recorded and issued as a double album.

The band’s last album, released in July 1980, was titled 1157 – which was the number of gigs Stars had played during their four and a half years together.

Mick Pealing 
Vocals
Malcolm Eastick 
Guitar, vocals
Andrew Durant 
Guitar
Graham Thompson 
Bass 
Glyn Dowding
Drums
Ian McDonald
Bass

Video