Shooting Star
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Biography
Shooting Star was an American rock band formed in Kansas City, Missouri, in the late 1970s. The group consisted of Van McLain, Bill Guffey, Steve Thomas, Ron Verlin, Charles Waltz, and Gary West. Initially known as The Shooting Stars featuring The Galaxies, they began by playing classic 1950s hits before transitioning to original music. In 1975, the band recorded a demo tape before going to London and signed with Arista Records, releasing their first single "Take the Money & Run" later that year. After returning to Kansas City, Shooting Star secured a management deal through Golden Lion Entertainment and eventually signed with Virgin Records in 1979. Their eponymous debut album Shooting Star was released in January 1980, featuring the single "You Got What I Need", which peaked at Number 76 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band's second album, Hang On for Your Life, was released in July 1981 and included the single "Hollywood", which reached Number 70 on the Billboard Hot 100. Shooting Star toured extensively with acts such as ZZ Top, Cheap Trick, and Journey. The band's career spanned several albums, including Shooting Star: Anthology (2007), III Wishes, Burning, Silent Scream, Circles, and It's Not Over (all released in 2011). Van McLain passed away on March 2, 2018.
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