Stars (6)

Stars were an Australian country, rock band formed in Adelaide, South Australia in 1975 and disbanded in 1979. Founding members were Glyn Dowding on drums, Malcolm Eastick on guitar and vocals (both formerly of Adelaide bands Astra Kahn and Flash), Mick Pealing on vocals (Flash); and Graham Thompson on bass guitar. They were joined by guitarist, songwriter, Andrew Durant (ex-Astra Kahn) 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. 11 on the Australian Kent Music Report in 1978 and included their highest charting single "Look After Yourself" which reached No. 21 on the related singles chart. In September 1978, founding drummer Dowding was replaced by John James Hackett (ex-Phil Manning Band). Their second album, Land of Fortune, was released in 1979 but did not reach the Top 50. 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 live album, 1157 - titled for the number of career gigs - appeared in July 1980, which was produced by Eastick. A tribute performance by Stars members and other Australian acts followed in August and a double-LP, The 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. Dowding returned on drums for the Durant tribute concert. Eastick joined Broderick Smith's Big Combo (1979–1982) and later provided guitar for different artists including Max Merritt and Jimmy Barnes. Pealing formed his own band Mick Pealing And The Ideals (1980–1981), they were also a backing band for [a49819], he then formed Spaniards (1983–1986) and worked with other artists including Eastick. McLachlan toured with Cliff Richard in 1978, worked with John Farnham (1987–1988), briefly rejoined Little River Band (1998–1999) and was a member of Mighty Oz Rock with Pealing in 2004.