Stars (Australian band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1975 in Adelaide, Australia |
| Defunct | 1979 |
| Fate | Reunited in 2019 |
| Headquarters | Adelaide , Australia |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Stars is a country rock group originating from Adelaide, Australia, formed in 1975. The band dissolved in 1979 but reunited in 2019. Initial members were Glyn Dowding (drums), Malcolm Eastick (guitar and vocals), Mick Pealing (vocals), and Graham Thompson (bass). In 1976, guitarist and songwriter Andrew Durant joined, leading the band to relocate to Melbourne. Thompson departed and was succeeded by bassists such as Roger McLachlan (formerly of Little River Band) and Ian McDonald.
Their first album, Paradise, released in 1978, climbed to No. 14 on the Australian Kent Music Report charts and included their top-charting single "Look After Yourself," which reached No. 30. The follow-up record, Land of Fortune, came out in June 1979 and attained No. 35. During this period, Durant was diagnosed with cancer; the band’s final show took place on 5 November 1979. Durant passed away on 6 May 1980 at the age of 25. A tribute concert featuring Stars members alongside other Australian musicians occurred in August, culminating in the double-LP Andrew Durant Memorial Concert (1981), which peaked at No. 8 and directed its proceeds to the Andrew Durant Cancer Research Foundation.
In 2019, Stars reassembled and announced a tour scheduled for November and December.[1]
History
The Adelaide-based band Astra Kahn was established in 1972 by Glyn Dowding (drums), Andrew Durant (guitar), and Malcolm Eastick (guitar/vocals). After Astra Kahn disbanded by 1973, Dowding and Eastick formed Flash in 1974 with vocalist Mick Pealing. In May 1975, Dowding, Eastick, and Pealing founded Stars with Graham Thompson on bass. Identified as Australian country rock artists, they performed at local pubs and clubs before securing a contract with Mushroom Records. Their debut single "Quick on the Draw," produced by Beeb Birtles of Little River Band, reached the top 50 in July 1976. Durant joined as the main songwriter that August.[2][3][4]
Their second single, "With a Winning Hand," peaked at No. 65 in October. Thompson was replaced first by Michael Hegerty on bass, then by Roger McLachlan (formerly of Little River Band). Mid-1977 saw them supporting Joe Cocker on his Australian tour while releasing "Mighty Rock," which entered the top 50 in August. By November, Ian MacDonald had taken over bass duties from McLachlan; soon after came "Look After Yourself," reaching No. 30 ahead of their debut album Paradise released in December 1977, which achieved No. 14 on the album charts. Later singles included "Back Again" and "West Is the Way." Founding drummer Dowding was succeeded by John James Hackett (previously with the Phil Manning Band) in September.[3][4]
Stars maintained an active touring schedule, opening for international acts such as The Beach Boys and Linda Ronstadt during their Australian tours between 1978 and 1979. Their sophomore album, Land of Fortune (June 1979), co-produced by Ern Rose and Eastick, coincided with Durant’s cancer diagnosis. The group’s last concert occurred on 5 November 1979. Posthumously released in July 1980 was a live album titled 1157, named after their total number of performances and produced by Eastick. Andrew Durant died on 6 May at age 25.
In August, a tribute concert featuring Stars members alongside various Australian artists was recorded as the double-LP Andrew Durant Memorial Concert (1981), which peaked at No. 8 on the charts with all proceeds benefiting the Andrew Durant Cancer Research Foundation.[2][3]
Later careers
Dowding made a return as drummer for the Durant tribute event. Eastick became a member of Broderick Smith's Big Combo between 1979 and 1982, later contributing guitar work for musicians such as Max Merritt and Jimmy Barnes. Pealing established Mick Pealing and the Ideals from 1980 to 1981, also supporting Renée Geyer, before forming The Spaniards (1983–1986) and collaborating with Eastick. McLachlan toured alongside Cliff Richard in 1978, partnered with John Farnham during 1987–1988, briefly rejoined Little River Band from 1998 to 1999, and performed in Mighty Rock with Pealing in 2004. McLachlan passed away at age 71 on 16 April 2025.
Albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Paradise |
|
14 |
| Land of Fortune |
|
35 |
| 1157 |
|
46 |
| Boundary Rider |
|
Members
- Glyn Dowding – drums (1975–1978)
- Malcolm Eastick – guitar, vocals (1975–1979, 2019–2023)
- Mick Pealing – vocals (1975–1979, 2019- )
- Graham Thompson – bass guitar (1975–1976)
- Andrew Durant – guitar (1976–1979; died 1980)
- Michael Hegerty – bass guitar (1976)
- Roger McLachlan – bass guitar (1976–1977, 2019-2025; died 2025)
- Ian McDonald – bass guitar (1977–1979)
- John James Hackett – drums (1978–1979)
- Nick Charles – guitar (2019- )
- Erik Chess – drums (2019- )
- Geoff Achison – guitar (2023- )
- Ed Bates – pedal steel (2023- )
Awards
In 2016, Stars were honored with induction into the South Australian Music Awards Hall of Fame.
References
- General
- Note: Archived [on-line] version offers limited features.
- Specific
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