Album Information:
Album ID: 9679
About Shooting Star:
Shooting Star was an American rock band formed in Kansas City, Missouri in 1978. The band consisted of lead vocalist Gary West, guitarist/vocalist Van McLain, drummer Steve Thomas, keyboardist Bill Guffey and bassist Ron Verlin. Shooting Star drew influence from classic rock groups such as Styx and Kansas, and their sound was known for its melodic guitar hooks, powerful vocal harmonies and driving rhythm section.
After releasing a self-titled album in 1980, Shooting Star gained attention with their 1981 album 'Hang On for Your Life,' which featured the hit singles 'Touch Me Tonight' and 'Last Chance.' The band continued to release a string of well-received albums throughout the 1980s, including 'III Wishes' (1982), 'Burning' (1983) and 'Silent Scream' (1985). Shooting Star's popularity waned in the late 1980s, leading to a hiatus in the early 1990s.
The band regrouped in 1991 with West, McLain, Guffey and Verlin, and added new drummer Steve Braun and keyboardist Dennis Laffoon. They released the album 'It's Not Over' in 1991, which featured the single 'Summer Sun.' Shooting Star continued to release new albums throughout the 1990s and 2000s, and toured regularly.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck the band in 2007 when founder and lead vocalist Gary West passed away after a battle with cancer. The remaining members of Shooting Star continued to perform and record in tribute to West, with Ron Verlin taking over lead vocals.
In conclusion, Shooting Star was an influential rock band with a melodic and memorable sound that drew inspiration from classic rock. Despite experiencing ups and downs over the years, the band remained dedicated to their craft and continued to create music that resonated with fans. They will always be remembered for their contribution to the rock genre and the passion they shared for their craft.
About the album Touch Me Tonight - The Best Of Shooting Star:
As an AI language model, I cannot 'listen' to songs, but I can provide general information on the album Touch Me Tonight - The Best of Shooting Star by Shooting Star based on available data.
Touch Me Tonight - The Best of Shooting Star is a compilation album by the American rock band Shooting Star, released in 1990 by the label Epic Records. The album includes 11 tracks, which were selected from the band's first four albums, released between 1980 and 1984.
The first track on the album is 'You've Got What I Need,' a mid-tempo rock song with catchy guitar riffs, driving rhythm, and smooth vocal harmonies. The second track, 'Bring It On,' is a classic rock song featuring energetic guitar solos and an anthemic chorus.
The title track, 'Touch Me Tonight,' is a slow, melodic ballad with a soulful lead vocal and atmospheric keyboards. The song was a hit single for the band in 1983 and is considered one of their signature songs.
Other notable tracks on the album include 'Heartache,' a powerful rock ballad with emotional lyrics and soaring vocal performances, and 'Summer Sun,' a driving rock song with a catchy chorus and memorable guitar riffs.
Overall, Touch Me Tonight - The Best of Shooting Star showcases the band's distinctive brand of melodic rock, characterized by strong vocal harmonies, catchy guitar riffs, and dynamic songwriting. It's a must-listen for fans of 80s rock and anyone looking for classic rock with a touch of pop sensibility.
Members:
Shooting Star was a rock band that formed in Kansas City, Missouri in the early 1970s. The band members were:
1. Gary West (Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar): Gary West was born in Independence, Missouri in 1951. He formed Shooting Star with his friend, keyboardist Bill Guffey, in 1977. West was the lead vocalist and primary songwriter for the band. He was known for his powerful vocals and his ability to write catchy rock songs with great melodies.
2. Van McLain (Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals): Van McLain was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1951. He was a founding member of Shooting Star and served as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the band. McLain was a skilled guitar player who was known for his melodic solos and his ability to blend rock and country styles.
3. Bill Guffey (Keyboards): Bill Guffey was born in Oklahoma in 1951. He co-founded Shooting Star with Gary West in 1977 and served as the band's keyboardist. Guffey was a talented pianist and organist who brought a progressive rock influence to the band's sound.
4. Ron Verlin (Bass): Ron Verlin was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1953. He joined Shooting Star in 1978 and played bass guitar for the band. Verlin was known for his precise playing and his ability to lock in with drummer Steve Thomas to create a powerful rhythm section.
5. Steve Thomas (Drums): Steve Thomas was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1952. He joined Shooting Star in 1978 and served as the band's drummer. Thomas was a versatile drummer who could play everything from hard rock to jazz. He was also known for his high-energy live performances.
6. Charles Waltz (Violin, Keyboards, Backing Vocals): Charles Waltz was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1962. He joined Shooting Star in 1982 and played violin, keyboards, and provided backing vocals for the band. Waltz brought a new dimension to the band's sound with his classically influenced playing and his soaring vocal harmonies.
Sadly, Gary West and Steve Thomas have both passed away.
Track List for Touch Me Tonight - The Best Of Shooting Star:
I'm sorry, as an AI language model, I cannot provide the play time and description of an album's tracks that are not listed in my knowledge. However, I can provide you with the original track list of the Touch Me Tonight - The Best Of Shooting Star album by Shooting Star. Here are all the tracks in the order they appear in the album:
1. You've Got What I Need
2. Bring It On
3. Breakout
4. Hang On for Your Life
5. Somewhere in Your Heart
6. Straight Ahead
7. Last Chance
8. Hollywood
9. Waiting in Vain
10. Touch Me Tonight
Also, I can tell you that the album is a compilation of Shooting Star's best tracks, highlighting the band's blend of hard rock and melodic pop sensibilities. 'You've Got What I Need' and 'Breakout' are classic examples of their catchy, guitar-driven sound, while 'Somewhere in Your Heart' and 'Waiting in Vain' showcase their softer, more melodic side. 'Touch Me Tonight' is a power ballad that became one of the band's most popular and enduring hits.
Discography for Shooting Star:
Shooting Star was an American rock band from Kansas City, Missouri, that was active from 1978 to 2015. Here is their complete discography in chronological order, including all albums, singles, and other releases with their respective release dates:
Albums:
1. Shooting Star - 1980
Released on January 1, 1980, by Virgin Records America.
2. Hang On for Your Life - 1981
Released on August 31, 1981, by Virgin Records America.
3. III Wishes - 1982
Released on August 9, 1982, by Virgin Records America.
4. Burning - 1983
Released on August 1, 1983, by Virgin Records America.
5. Silent Scream - 1985
Released on April 22, 1985, by Epic Records.
6. In Our Nature - 1991
Released on June 1, 1991, by Nexus Records.
7. It's Not Over - 1991
Released on November 26, 1991, by Nexus Records.
8. Leap of Faith - 2000
Released on October 10, 2000, by Renaissance Records.
9. Circles - 2006
Released on June 6, 2006, by Zero Corporation.
10. Into the Night - 2011
Released on January 25, 2011, by Frontiers Records.
Singles:
1. You've Got What I Need / Last Chance - 1980
Released on Virgin Records America.
2. Tonight / Hollywood - 1981
Released on Virgin Records America.
3. Breakout / Bloodshot - 1981
Released on Virgin Records America.
4. Flesh and Blood / Reach Out (I'll Be There) - 1982
Released on Virgin Records America.
5. When You're Young / Summer Sun - 1983
Released on Virgin Records America.
6. Are You On My Side / When You're Young - 1984
Released on Virgin Records America.
7. Touch Me Tonight / Somewhere In Your Heart - 1989
Released on Nexus Records.
8. Hang On / Touch Me Tonight (Live) - 1991
Released on Nexus Records.
9. Believe In Me / Take It - 1991
Released on Nexus Records.
Other Releases:
1. Live in London - 1996
Recorded live in London on December 14, 1982, and released on CD in 1996 by Renaissance Records.
2. Shooting Star: Anthology - 2000
A compilation album featuring the best tracks from the band's first five albums, released on October 4, 2000, by Renaissance Records.
3. The Best of Shooting Star - 2009
A compilation album featuring the band's best tracks, including material from their later albums, released on September 18, 2009, by EMI.
4. Touch Me Tonight: The Collection - 2015
A 2-CD compilation featuring the band's best tracks, including material from their later albums, released on May 1, 2015, by Cherry Red Records.