Shooting Star Main Page

Original Line-up

Van McLain	-	vocals, guitar
Charles Waltz	-	vocals, violin, keyboards
Bill Guffey	-	keyboards
Steve Thomas	-	drums
Ron Verlin	-	bass
Gary West	-	lead vocals, keyboards, guitar, percussion

Shooting Star was formed in Kansas City in 1977. Quickly developing a local following, they went on to become quite popular throughout the Midwest. They were signed to Virgin/Atlantic Records in 1978 and their first album released early in 1980.

The year 1981 saw the band switching to the Virgin/Epic label for the release of their second album. The album was a success, staying in the US chart for 35 weeks. Their third album, released in 1982, marked the departure of Bill Guffey. This album also did well, receiving heavy airplay on MTV.

In 1984 the band contributed two songs, Take It and Get Ready Boy, to the soundtrack for the movie "Up the Creek". By 1985, when their fifth album was released on Geffen Records, Norman Dahlor had replaced Ron Verlin on bass. In the summer of 1986 they began what was billed as their farewell tour, after which the band split up.

In 1989, original band members Van McLain and Ron Verlin teamed up with new lead singer Keith Mitchell, Dennis Laffoon on keyboards, and Rod Lincoln on drums to release the single "Touch Me Tonight" from their first compilation album. This became their best selling single, reaching #67 in the US chart. This line-up released their last three albums, It's Not Over, Shooting Star Live, and the long awaited Leap of Faith. A second compilation album, Best of Shooting Star V2, was released in 2001.