Lone Star (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1975 in Cardiff, Wales |
| Defunct | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Cardiff , Wales |
| Products | Music albums |
Lone Star was a rock and heavy metal ensemble originating from Cardiff, Wales, established in 1975. They produced two albums under the CBS Records label before disbanding in 1978.
History
The band’s original roster featured Kenny Driscoll and Tony Smith, formerly of Iona, alongside Ray Jones, ex-bassist of Quest, and drummer Jim Mathews. By early 1975, the lineup was finalized with bassist Pete Hurley, drummer Dixie Lee, Canadian keyboardist Rick Worsnop, and guitarist Paul "Tonka" Chapman, whose previous experience included stints with Universe, Skid Row, and UFO. They independently financed a five-track demo titled The Acorn Sessions, which led to management under Steve Wood and secured a global contract with CBS Records.
In early 1976, Lone Star recorded a session for John Peel's BBC Radio 1 program and launched their self-titled debut album in August 1976. Produced by Roy Thomas Baker at Sweet Silence studios in Copenhagen, the album faced challenges due to Driscoll’s injury and hurried vocal sessions but still reached No. 47 on the UK Albums Chart. The release was promoted through a UK tour alongside labelmate Ted Nugent. Additional recognition came from further Peel sessions and a BBC Radio 1 In Concert broadcast before supporting Mott on tour in late 1976.
After internal disputes, Driscoll exited the band in 1977 and was succeeded by John Sloman (formerly of Trapper), with Abe Hoch assuming management duties. The group recorded their third BBC session in early 1977, which was later aired in an innovative quadrophonic sound format. Their sophomore album, Firing on All Six, produced by Gary Lyons and released in August 1977, surpassed their debut by peaking at No. 36 on the UK Albums Chart. That same month, Lone Star appeared at the Reading Festival and featured on the BBC's Sight & Sound program alongside Pat Travers. Both broadcasts were subsequently released as the BBC Radio One Live In Concert CD in 1994.
Break-up and subsequent projects
Lone Star entered a hiatus when Chapman temporarily replaced Michael Schenker for UFO's US tour with Rush. Following this period, they began demoing tracks for a third album; however, internal disagreements, management complications, and Smith and Lee's involvement with Scientology culminated in their dissolution by late 1978. CBS Records dropped the group amid punk rock’s ascendancy, which rendered Lone Star’s style unfashionable. Tony Smith remarked, "We were the right band at the wrong time... we lost popularity overnight when punk rock exploded."
Chapman rejoined UFO, contributing to four studio albums before collaborating with bassist Pete Way in Waysted during the mid-1980s and relocating to the United States. Later in his career, he taught guitar in South Florida and performed with Gator Country. Chapman passed away in June 2020.
Drummer Dixie Lee toured with Wild Horses in 1978 before joining John Sloman’s Pulsar and recording demos with an early Blizzard Of Ozz lineup. In 1983, he toured with Welsh band Red Sharks and briefly played with metal group Persian Risk. John Sloman joined Uriah Heep for their 1980 album Conquest, formed John Sloman's Badlands with guitarist John Sykes in 1982, and worked alongside Gary Moore. He embarked on a solo career during the mid-1980s, releasing albums such as Disappearances Can Be Deceptive (1989), produced by Todd Rundgren.
Post-Lone Star, Driscoll briefly led Hiding Place, which recorded one Peel session—their sole known release. The band included guitarist Tich Gwilym, bassist Dave Dawson, drummer Rob Allen, and keyboardist Paul Abrahams. Driscoll, Gwilym, Allen, and bassist Ray Jones also formed Tom the Lord but disbanded early despite interest from Epic Records.
In 1979, Driscoll and Steve Jones revived Lone Star’s name by recording an album at Rockfield Studios; however, they failed to secure a new recording deal. They performed several shows in 1980 before Jones departed; Gary Moore stepped in to complete remaining gigs until the final breakup. Driscoll briefly sang with Moore’s band that year and appears on the Live At The Marquee album. Currently, he leads the Kenny Driscoll Band; Jones later joined this ensemble.
Tony Smith established Screen Idols alongside former Rats members Mike Woodmansey, Geoff Appleby, Keith Cheeseman, and vocalist Michelle Nieddu. Their only album Premiere was released in 1979. After Nieddu and Cheeseman left, Smith assumed vocal duties for their last single in 1980 before disbanding. Subsequently relocating to Los Angeles to form Lion with Kal Swan without recording any material there, Smith later collaborated with Rob Mills and Sam Aronson. He presently performs live around Wales with the Daggers.
Bassist Pete Hurley became part of Welsh roots rockers Red Hot Pokers throughout the 1990s and partnered with Sloman on Beat Poets’ 1999 release. Hurley issued Dancin' Mood (2001) with Red Hot Pokers who supported Jerry Lee Lewis and Linda Gail Lewis both live and in studio recordings. Their contributions to Linda's You Win Again (2000), alongside Van Morrison, led them to become Morrison’s touring band; Hurley also featured on Morrison’s 2002 album Down the Road. He continues as an active session musician.
Rick Worsnop returned to Canada in 1979 to pursue a career in software development. He currently balances solo keyboard projects, voice acting roles, and teaches systems analysis at a consulting firm based in Toronto.
A posthumous third Lone Star album titled Riding High was issued by Paul Chapman through Zoom Club in 2000. Created without participation from other members, it comprised Chapman's demos along with unreleased Lone Star recordings.
Both Lone Star and Firing on All Six were re-released as a combined set by BGO Records in 2004 and again remastered by Rock Candy Records in 2011. These editions included previously unheard BBC sessions as well as live bonus tracks.
Previous members
- Kenny Driscoll – lead vocals (1975–1977)
- Ray Jones – bass guitar (1975)
- Jim Mathews – drummer (1975)
- Tony Smith – guitar and backing vocals (1975–1978)
- Paul "Tonka" Chapman – guitarist (1975–1978; passed away 2020)
- Pete Hurley – bass guitar (1975–1978)
- Dixie Lee – drums and backing vocals (1975–1978)
- Rick Worsnop – keyboards and backing vocals (1975–1978)
- John Sloman – lead vocals (1977–1978)
Discography
- Albums
- Lone Star (1976), released by CBS Records
- Firing on All Six (1977), CBS Records
- Riding High (The Unreleased Third Album) (1999), Zoom Club