Album Information:

About Starcastle:

Starcastle was a progressive rock band that was formed in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois in 1969. The band's lineup consisted of Terry Luttrell on vocals, Stephen Tassler and Gary Strater on bass, Matthew Stewart on keyboards and Mellotron, Herb Schildt on synthesizers, Gary's brother Stephen Hagler on guitars, and Stephen Tassler's cousin, Roger Johnson, on drums.

The band's sound was heavily influenced by the likes of Yes and Genesis, with soaring vocals, complex melodies, and intricate instrumental passages. They released their self-titled debut album on Epic Records in 1976, which was produced by Queen's engineer, Roy Thomas Baker. The album was a critical success, with many reviewers likening the band to Yes, and it went on to sell over 100,000 copies.

Starcastle continued to release albums in the following years, including 'Fountains of Light' (1977), 'Citadel' (1977), 'Real to Reel' (1978), 'Song of Times' (1981), and 'A Delicate Balance' (2007). However, despite the band's success, they struggled with numerous line-up changes over the years as well as changes in the music industry. As a result, they never achieved the same level of commercial success as some of their peers in the progressive rock genre.

Despite their relatively short career, Starcastle left a lasting impact on the progressive rock scene of the 1970s. Their intricate musicianship and soaring vocal harmonies are still admired by fans of the genre today. Sadly, in 2018, bassist Gary Strater passed away, leaving behind a legacy of music that will continue to inspire future generations of progressive rock musicians.

About the album Starcastle:

Starcastle is the self-titled debut album from progressive rock band Starcastle. The album was released in 1976 and features a unique blend of rock, folk, and classical influences. The album gained popularity among fans of progressive rock and is considered one of the influential albums of the genre.

The album opens with the epic track 'Lady of the Lake,' which features soaring vocal harmonies, virtuosic guitar solos, and intricate keyboard work. The song is a showcase of the band's technical prowess and their ability to craft complex, multi-layered arrangements.

Other standout tracks on the album include 'Stargate' and 'To the Fire Wind,' which both showcase the band's knack for crafting powerful, hook-filled melodies that also incorporate innovative time signatures and instrumental passages.

The album also features several intricate instrumental pieces, including the classically influenced 'Elliptical Seasons' and the guitar-driven 'Nova.' These tracks highlight the band's ability to create dynamic soundscapes that alternate between moments of delicate beauty and explosive energy.

Throughout the album, the band's musicianship is on full display, with intricate guitar and keyboard solos and soaring vocal harmonies. The production quality is also top-notch, with a clear, polished sound that highlights the intricacies of each instrument.

Overall, Starcastle's debut album is a tour de force of progressive rock, showcasing the band's technical prowess, innovative songwriting, and unique blend of influences. It remains a must-listen for fans of the genre and is a testament to the enduring power of progressive rock music.

Members:

Starcastle was an American progressive rock band that was formed in Champaign, Illinois, in 1969. The band underwent various lineup changes during its existence, but the most notable and key members of the band were:

1. Terry Luttrell (Lead Vocals)
Terry Luttrell was born on January 7, 1951, in Paris, Illinois. He is an American musician and songwriter who is best known for being the lead vocalist of Starcastle. Luttrell joined Starcastle in 1975 and stayed with the band until 1978 when he left to pursue a solo career. He later rejoined the band in the 1990s and remained with them until their disbandment. Luttrell has released several solo albums and has also worked with other bands and musicians.

2. Gary Strater (Bass Guitar)
Gary Strater was born on September 26, 1954, in Champaign, Illinois. He is an American musician who is best known for being the bass guitarist of Starcastle. Strater was one of the founding members of the band and played with them from their inception in 1969 until their disbandment in 1987. He was known for his unique style of playing the bass guitar and also contributed vocals to the band.

3. Steve Tassler (Guitar)
Steve Tassler was born on December 4, 1949, in Urbana, Illinois. He is an American musician who is best known for being the guitarist of Starcastle. Tassler joined the band in 1977 and played with them until their disbandment in 1987. He was known for his intricate guitar work and contributed greatly to the band's sound.

4. Stephen Hagler (Keyboards)
Stephen Hagler was born on May 16, 1951, in Illinois. He is an American keyboardist and composer who is best known for being a member of Starcastle. Hagler joined the band in the early 1970s and played with them until their disbandment in 1987. He contributed greatly to the band's sound and was known for his skillful keyboard playing.

5. Herb Schildt (Keyboards)
Herb Schildt was born on February 28, 1951, in Champaign, Illinois. He is an American musician and software developer who is best known for being a member of Starcastle. Schildt joined the band in 1978 and played with them until their disbandment in 1987. He was known for his keyboard skills and also contributed vocals to the band.

These were the most notable and key members of Starcastle, and they all made significant contributions to the band's sound and success.

Track List for Starcastle:

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Discography for Starcastle:

Here is the complete discography of Starcastle in chronological order:

1. Starcastle (1976)
2. Fountains of Light (1977)
3. Citadel (1977)
4. Real to Reel (1978)
5. Song of Times (2007)

There were no official singles released by Starcastle, but several of their songs received radio play. There were also no other official releases by the band outside of their albums.