They just recorded a great album last year called Circles. It is available from the band at their web site or myspace page. It is their best music in 20 years.
big star fan. loved this when it came out. christmas together n last chance are also on the best of.i love vans voice. wish he would have sung more;-)
Not their best song, but maybe their best video. An outstanding band, though--especially in the early days with Gary West on lead vocals. Too bad he's completely left the music scene, he and Van McClain were a great song writing duo!
this song is still good in 2007.shooting star was good,they didnt quite break through real big,but i dig them.starz is another good early 80,s band.i got there music d/l. rock on guys.fan in cali.
My little public service for a band I've loved since they first came out: They've now got their own website - "shootingstarmaniacs(you figure out the rest of the url)" - at which you can buy their old and new albums on CD, a live DVD, and even t-shirts.
These guys were big here in KC,one of the things that made them so popular here is one of the local radio stations got several popular local bands together and put an album out,I think it was called KC's Homegrown.
I bought the classic LPs then found the Anthology cassette and transferred it to MD format, I can upload a track only version... stereo sound at LiveVideo site!
McLain and West met up in Kansas City fresh from their disappointments. Instead of licking their wounds, they both realized that the brass ring was within reach. They began concentrating on writing music and the results were awesome. They added Charles Waltz on violin, Ron Verlin on bass, Steve Thomas on drums and Bill Guffey on keyboards.
Known as The Shooting Stars they actually had garnered a lot of attention with a song titled "Take the Money & Run." Led by Van McLain, the band were signed to Arista and offered a showcase gig in London at the legendary Marquee Club where bands such as The Rolling Stones, Elton John, The Who and Led Zeppelin started out. Unfortunately for The Shooting Stars, shortly after their showcase gig, Steve Miller released his song "Take the Money & Run" and Arista released the band.
They were so popular that years later when Shooting Star opened for the band Kansas, the headliners were lining up to meet West backstage!
West did not jump ship from the Chessman directly to Shooting Star, however. He went to New York and met up with a company called Golden Lion Productions. Eventually, Gary tired of big city life and returned home to Kansas City. During his absence the little band playing in the street had grown up
To Gary West, however, Shooting Star would have meant very little at the time. The Chessmen had reached legendary status in the Midwest. In the late 1960's, new music fads started on the coasts and worked inward. The Chessmen were notorious for getting a jump start on the scene by learning songs by The Beatles long before anyone in Kansas City had heard the tracks.
Shooting Star hit the scene in the 1970's in Kansas City, Missouri. The band was centered around two key figures, Gary West and Van McLain. West had already flirted with fame in the music business as the drummer for the legendary Kansas City band the Chessmen. In fact, legend has it that it was West who, while on break from a club gig, went outside where a street dance was going on and heard a newly formed band called Shooting Star for the first time.
The truth is most of the bands on these lists are emotional favorites and really were not of good enough stock to last the long haul. The number of bands who had enough great songs, musicianship and the right chemistry to become rock stars and fell short is actually quite small. Still, there are those who should live in mansions, have platinum records on the wall and a bevy of groupies in the bedroom but, for whatever reason, they never hit the big time. One such band is Shooting Star.
Most rock fans have their own personal list of bands who should have made it to the big time but didn't. In fact, if you get three rock nerds in a room and crank up the stereo, this list can reach massive proportions. Suddenly, every band that recorded an album, made a video and had at least one cool guitar riff is hailed as the next 'shudda been.'
If it was not for Dial MTV, I never would have heard this song. A guilty pleasure that I can't admit to any of my friends that I actually did a YouTube search for this song.
They had quite a following in their hometown (Kansas City)along with the Rainmakers. They still get some decent airplay on the local Classic Rock stations, 99.7 KY and 101 The Fox, but you really have to bug the deejays on an all-request weekend.
@Wysthric That is what I call talent. This IS NOT rap
SexLeppardMaster 1 month ago
the chorus fuckin' rocks so much
SexLeppardMaster 1 year ago 4
@SexLeppardMaster In terms of lyrics, it does sort of poorly. In terms of instruments and singing skill, it is amazing.
Wysthric 2 months ago
They just recorded a great album last year called Circles. It is available from the band at their web site or myspace page. It is their best music in 20 years.
TravelingWheatheads 3 years ago
It was also on the I come in Peace soundtrack with Dolph Lundgren..great movie awesome song too
Been a long time since I heard it
ufcjoel1 4 years ago 8
big star fan. loved this when it came out. christmas together n last chance are also on the best of.i love vans voice. wish he would have sung more;-)
GOTFURWA 4 years ago
great song. Anyone have Last Chance, Christmas Together....?
moinab21 4 years ago
Not their best song, but maybe their best video. An outstanding band, though--especially in the early days with Gary West on lead vocals. Too bad he's completely left the music scene, he and Van McClain were a great song writing duo!
jhawkchic 4 years ago
witch album do i buy first? :)peace
ole9872 3 years ago
this song is still good in 2007.shooting star was good,they didnt quite break through real big,but i dig them.starz is another good early 80,s band.i got there music d/l. rock on guys.fan in cali.
rondoou812 4 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
My little public service for a band I've loved since they first came out: They've now got their own website - "shootingstarmaniacs(you figure out the rest of the url)" - at which you can buy their old and new albums on CD, a live DVD, and even t-shirts.
shadowsongs914 4 years ago
this song rockd in I Come in Peace.
timeclosets 4 years ago 5
cheesy keyboards overproduced slock
twilightdimension 4 years ago
The keyboards are a little overdone, but this is still a great band!
jhawkchic 4 years ago
schlock garbage only had a handful of good songs rest all suck
twilightdimension 4 years ago
Have you noticed how much the intro and verses resemble "Turn It On Again" by Genesis (that's NOT a bad thing!)
oxyphen 4 years ago
Gary West where are you? You had one of the most amazing voices. What ever happened to you?
bostonfan83 4 years ago 3
Through the years there have been some great bands and musicians to start herein KC,Shooting Star,Pat Metheny,Kansas,Puddle of Mudd,and a few others.
cherokee316 4 years ago
I forgot the Rainmakers.
cherokee316 4 years ago
These guys were big here in KC,one of the things that made them so popular here is one of the local radio stations got several popular local bands together and put an album out,I think it was called KC's Homegrown.
cherokee316 4 years ago
They were also HUGE in Cincinnati during the 1980's. Very underated band!
ribengals 4 years ago 2
yea man big in cincinnati,
even SUCKY w e b n played the hell out of em
I LOVE SHOOTING STAR
esp. the " hang on for your life " album
and the 1st one
(HEY love the bengals too)
(just thinking,man i hope what happend to this band dont happen to palmer)(forget i even said that)
bad enough S STAR didnt quite get there
(ill just shutup now)
z1inspector 2 years ago
Hollywood is their biggest hit, and Hold on for your Life, which totally rocks 106% I'll get some up to enjoy of their hits
BillSchwenke 4 years ago 2
Great song. Anyone have the video for their 80's hit "Tonight" ? Would love to see that. upload! upload!
rg2027x 4 years ago
I bought the classic LPs then found the Anthology cassette and transferred it to MD format, I can upload a track only version... stereo sound at LiveVideo site!
BillSchwenke 4 years ago
READ THE REST HERE........
classicrockrevisited(DOT)com/Interviews06/WhatEverHappenedToShootingStar.htm
jgreen1961 4 years ago
McLain and West met up in Kansas City fresh from their disappointments. Instead of licking their wounds, they both realized that the brass ring was within reach. They began concentrating on writing music and the results were awesome. They added Charles Waltz on violin, Ron Verlin on bass, Steve Thomas on drums and Bill Guffey on keyboards.
jgreen1961 4 years ago
Known as The Shooting Stars they actually had garnered a lot of attention with a song titled "Take the Money & Run." Led by Van McLain, the band were signed to Arista and offered a showcase gig in London at the legendary Marquee Club where bands such as The Rolling Stones, Elton John, The Who and Led Zeppelin started out. Unfortunately for The Shooting Stars, shortly after their showcase gig, Steve Miller released his song "Take the Money & Run" and Arista released the band.
jgreen1961 4 years ago
They were so popular that years later when Shooting Star opened for the band Kansas, the headliners were lining up to meet West backstage!
West did not jump ship from the Chessman directly to Shooting Star, however. He went to New York and met up with a company called Golden Lion Productions. Eventually, Gary tired of big city life and returned home to Kansas City. During his absence the little band playing in the street had grown up
jgreen1961 4 years ago
To Gary West, however, Shooting Star would have meant very little at the time. The Chessmen had reached legendary status in the Midwest. In the late 1960's, new music fads started on the coasts and worked inward. The Chessmen were notorious for getting a jump start on the scene by learning songs by The Beatles long before anyone in Kansas City had heard the tracks.
jgreen1961 4 years ago
Shooting Star hit the scene in the 1970's in Kansas City, Missouri. The band was centered around two key figures, Gary West and Van McLain. West had already flirted with fame in the music business as the drummer for the legendary Kansas City band the Chessmen. In fact, legend has it that it was West who, while on break from a club gig, went outside where a street dance was going on and heard a newly formed band called Shooting Star for the first time.
jgreen1961 4 years ago
The truth is most of the bands on these lists are emotional favorites and really were not of good enough stock to last the long haul. The number of bands who had enough great songs, musicianship and the right chemistry to become rock stars and fell short is actually quite small. Still, there are those who should live in mansions, have platinum records on the wall and a bevy of groupies in the bedroom but, for whatever reason, they never hit the big time. One such band is Shooting Star.
jgreen1961 4 years ago
Most rock fans have their own personal list of bands who should have made it to the big time but didn't. In fact, if you get three rock nerds in a room and crank up the stereo, this list can reach massive proportions. Suddenly, every band that recorded an album, made a video and had at least one cool guitar riff is hailed as the next 'shudda been.'
jgreen1961 4 years ago
it's a shame that they never got the national recognition they deserved
gizmokc 4 years ago
absolutly one of the best 80's bands
jgreen1961 4 years ago
If it was not for Dial MTV, I never would have heard this song. A guilty pleasure that I can't admit to any of my friends that I actually did a YouTube search for this song.
comiskey44 4 years ago
I had forgotten about this modern classic. Thanks for bringing it back!
AmoredPanther 4 years ago
This band rocks, but only with Gary West in the lineup.
LoveNikkiPie 4 years ago
My favorite song by them. Shooting Star rocks! I love how they walk around in the water in this video. So cool!
KurtmanJP 4 years ago
i could not find this song either great song when you type this groups name this song should be at the top.
15scottie 4 years ago
took me a while to find this- love it!!!!! i saw them once with kansas & never forgot !!!!
penguinigloo 4 years ago
Did they only make this one video? i looked all over and entered several key words.
They don't get any air play in the bay area, CA. bummer
macmuffen 4 years ago
They had quite a following in their hometown (Kansas City)along with the Rainmakers. They still get some decent airplay on the local Classic Rock stations, 99.7 KY and 101 The Fox, but you really have to bug the deejays on an all-request weekend.
DPMillam 4 years ago
shooting star was an awsome band that everyone forgot about, but i saw them live a few times (mainly small venues) but they really rocked the house.
macmuffen 4 years ago