Stars | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Adelaide, Australia |
| Genres | country, rock |
| Years active | 1975–1979 |
| Labels | Mushroom, Festival |
| Past members | See members list below |
Stars are an Australian country rock band formed in Adelaide, South Australia in 1975 and disbanding in 1979, before re-forming in 2019. Founding members were Glyn Dowding on drums; Malcolm Eastick on guitar and vocals; Mick Pealing on vocals; and Graham Thompson on bass guitar. They were joined by guitarist, songwriter, Andrew Durant in 1976 and relocated to Melbourne. Thompson then left and was replaced by a succession of bass guitarists including Roger McLachlan (ex-Little River Band) and Ian McDonald.
The band's debut album, Paradise, peaked at No. 14 on the Australian Kent Music Report in 1978 and included their highest-charting single "Look After Yourself" which reached No. 30 on the related singles chart. Their second album, Land of Fortune, was released in June 1979 and peaked at No. 35. By that time Durant had been diagnosed with cancer, the band had their last performance on 5 November and Durant died on 6 May 1980 at age 25. A tribute performance by Stars members and other Australian acts followed in August and a double-LP, Andrew Durant Memorial Concert was released in 1981. It peaked at No. 8 on the albums chart with proceeds donated to Andrew Durant Cancer Research Foundation.
Stars re-formed in 2019, announcing a tour in November and December of that year.[1]