Stars
About
Beeb along with rest of Little River Band were impressed with the Adelaide band and brought tapes back to Melbourne where they scored a contract with Mushroom records. The band sported a “cowboy” look wearing boots, checked shirts and cowboy hats. The band consisted of Mick Pealing (vocals), Mal Eastick (guitar), Glyn Dowding (drums) and Graham Thompson (bass).
After the success of their first single they added Andy Durant as a second guitarist. In 1977 they toured with Joe Cocker and in 1978, The Beach Boys and Linda Ronstadt.
Although not a teen band in the mould of Sherbet or Hush, The Stars appeared regularly on Countdown and scored a top 30 hit with the Andy Durant song “Mighty rock”.
Andy Durant died on 6 May 1980 aged 25. Later that year Stars guitarist Mal Eastick organised the Andrew Durant memorial concert in Melbourne. The concert featured Stars, Jimmy Barnes, Rene Geyer, Richard Clapton and many more. The profits from the concert and sale of the double album went to The Andrew Durant Cancer Research Centre.
from Countdown.com.au
Members
- Glyn Dowding – Drums
- Andrew Durant – Guitar
- Malcolm Eastick -Guitar
- Mick Elliot – Guitar
- J.J. Hackett – Drums
- Michael Hegerty – Bass
- Ian McDonald – Bass
- Roger McLachlan – Bass
- Mick Pealing – Vocals
- Graham Thompson- Bass
Recordings
- Paradise – 1978
- Land Of Fortune – 1979
- Stars – Live At Bombay Rock – 1979
- 1157 – 1980
Videos of the Stars
Known Gigs
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 31/10/76 | Moore Park (NSW) | Sydney Showground |
| 12/02/78 | Sydney | Sydney Opera House |
| 07/05/78 | Bondi Junction | Bondi Lifesaver |
| 10/06/79 | Blacktown | Blacktown Showground |
| 18/10/79 | Melbourne | Bombay Rock |
Why isn’t there any Stars CDs available besides the Andrew Durant concert ?
I have Paradise and Land Of Fortune on CD but I bought them about 15 years ago.
i still have the original video i recorded from tv in 1981.
I bought Paradise and Land of Fortune on CD some time in the last 10 years when Mushroom were releasing the ‘Masters’ albums
The story I heard was when Lachlan Murdoch took over Mushroom Records all the Stars (then on MDS distribution ) CDs were taken back to mushroom for re-packaging under the Mushroom Label and like many other australian acts they never bothered to re-release after the recall, I myself have been chasing the CDs as I only have the recordings on cassette (remember them?).
Hope this is of some help?
The long wait is over Greg. Warners Australia have re-released Paradise and Land Of Fortune to CD. Bought my copies at JB HiFi 2day….
They are available in CD !!!
I don’t know Greg, you’d probably have to chase up the record company. It’s a familiar story. There are so many great Aussie albums that were originally on vinyl that have simply never made it to CD and have dissappeared. It’s sad really.
I know some bands are re-releasing their own old albums digitally but far too few.
can you give me a lead to where i can get the cd for the andrew durant memorial concert?
I purchased a copy through ‘Ozmusic Online’. He sourced it for me. I have found him to be very reliable.
Sanity on “special order”
Get in touch with Mick Pealing or Mal Eastick on line.
The Andy Durant memorial Concert is available on DVD. I purchased a copy at J.B. Hi Fi.
I just bought it also from JB Hi-Fi, and it comes with a bonus DVD of the Stars Live at the Bombay Rock Festival. It’s a brilliant double DVD and a must have for all Stars fans. I was talking to a mate on the weekend about it and he has dug out the Paradise and Land of Fortune albums on vinyl. His wife is bringing them over on Friday. Can’t wait !!
Hi Greg,
I Googled Stars and the results were 3 albums. Paradise, Land of Fortune and 1157 plus the Memorial Concert. I also recall seeing a “two albums on one disc” package some years ago and regret not purchasing it when i had the chance. Has anybody got a copy of this?
Paradise, Land of Fortune, 1157 and Andrew Durant memorial Concert were all released on CD in the early 90s – I have them all.
They were, however, an incredibly limited release and extremely difficult to find.
After 16 years of hunting, I finally scored my Land of Fortune last week.
And yes, the memorial concert has now been released on DVD, with a live Stars show as the bonus DVD.
The version of Rocky Mountain Way from the Paradise album (in a more complete form) has been released on the Nightmoves DVD.
cheers
Steve
I had a tape of ” Paradise ” many years ago , looked high and low trying to find a CD of it no luck as yet ,really good stuff on this. Found a clip on Utube of Broderick Smith & friends singing “Ocean Deep” at the memorial concert , just briliiant ,tears in me eyes .As soon as i,m near JB Hi fi im grabbing that DVD !!
Trapper,
I would also suggest you grab a copy of Mal Eastick’s Southern Line album. A great version of Ocean Deep on that one.
Steve, I had “Paradise” on CD and I have the slick but ive lost the disc. I am prepared to pay for a burnt copy. Any chance?
Hey Glyn you loook hell cool bud…. Nah seriously you guys look like the beatles… Rock on.
Still reckon the ‘Stars’ version of ‘Rocky mountain way’ is the best I’ve ever heard
Have you heard the Joe Walsh version ?
I have been trying to get the 3 albums for years with no luck at all.
Like Barry I would be prepared to part with some $’s to have them.
Same deal, tried digitising my albums to CDs but quality just not right.
Would sell my soul for copies of the 90’s cd releases. Even tried Mel Eastick & Mick Pealings Web sites to get info, but no replies.
If someone can help would be great!
If you have vinyl copies of the albums you can get them cleaned up and converted to CD at remasters.com.au…just had all mine done and a fantastic result, only $20 per LP
All of the Stars albums are available to download in FLAC (lossless format) at
http://www.demonoid.com
jeremy can you helpme, I went to the web site you suggested & you need an invitation to access this site. can you help with that.
Thanks John.
This link is now dead.
I had a chat with Mal Eastick at a gig a few years ago regarding the Stars albums. I can’t remember the detail but he cited the record company as being at fault and he wasn’t happy about the situation.
I’d like to buy (hope that’s not a dirty word any more…) the sheet music just for ‘Ocean Deep’.
Are there any decent online Aussie sites that sell sheet music, or are we still being ham-strung by retarded laws and ham-strung by ‘licensing’ being in the hands of ‘the few’ who couldn’t give a rat’s, like pretty much everything else?
HI there .I agree yes I agree with Mark Gibson comment about stars on cd
but really why don’t they release a best of stars on cd /over the years
I have looked so many times but no best of
just purchased the Andrew Durant Memorial Concert DVD – playing it for the first time tonight only to discover today is the 30th anniversary of the man’s death – May 6, 1980. I feel very honoured for the coincidence – May he rest in peace.
Hi! Is there any chance you could send me those files for the concert? Ive been trying to get my hands on it for years. Thankyou xx
[…] Andy Durant – Stars […]
hey guys, I have Paradise on cd and would be happy to burn for whoever wants it.
Would so love a CD copy of paradise willing to cover any cost required.Concert with stars & Joe Cocker is where I met my wife some 30 years ago.Means so much I loved this band,evan my kids loved it untill my tape failed years ago,Have tried for years to find a CD to no avail.Please email me
Many Thanks
Kev
Hey Kev, I also went to the Joe Cocker concert at the Palais where I saw Stars for the first time and absolutely loved their music. How special for you that you met your wife there. Good memories all round!!
Hi Janine. I would love a burnt copy of the Paradise album if you would be so kind. I had a copy on cassette years ago but it perished. What a great album. I would be happy to pay all associated costs for CD, postage etc. Please E-mail me at gosurvey@tpg.com.au. Regards. Anthony.
Played with Andy before Stars in an experimental band with Paul Mattingley. guitar, and my brother, Peter, on drums. Was terribly saddened by his death he was only 1 year older than me when he passed. I still love the Stars songs and believe them and Clapton (Richard), Kerryn Tollhurst and Stars would’ve made country /rock the real Aussie music -it deserves a much bigger place in our musical heritage.
i,m looking for 1157 by stars,can anybody out there help please.
Hi Wayne. I have a copy of 1157 on vinyl. My wife bought me a record player recently which supposedly will convert from vinyl directly to .mp3. If I can get it up and running I will burn you a copy. It’s a pretty good album from memory. Been a while since I have played it.
I was recently informed of a rare STARS single that I can remember vaugely hearing.
I think it was titled “winning hand “, can anyone please verify this song’s existence
Thank you
with a winning hand was released on a single in 1976.
Hello all
I don’t want the DVD just a copy of the a
AD Memorial Concert CD and am happy to send $ if someone can supply. Was introduced to this magic music in the 80s by a special brother who’s also not with us any more and I’d dearly love to hear Ocean Deep and that amazing rendition of Knockin on Heavens Door again …..
annie,i could burn you a copy of that cd if you havent got it yet,send your adress to my email adress if your still after it.
Did they have a song called quick on the draw
Birtles produced their debut single, “Quick on the Draw” which reached the Australian Kent Music Report top 30 in July 1976.
lol…..I have all cd’s albums DVD’s of STARS stuff as well as being a friend of Mick and Mal…..it will cost you a million dollars for a copy of my stuff …..as I had to search high and low for all their recordings,… the gig that came with the new version of the memorial concert was from Bombay rock in Melbourne in 1979 for the release of Land of Fortune album….Renee Geyer also played that night as the headline act (go figure) with Tommy Emmanuel on guitar, I used to have an audio tape recorded off 3RRR in melb as the first ever radio simulcast on FM radio and on channel 7 Nightmoves with Lee Simon in Melbourne of both bands until some bastards stole my car !!….I had to wait 25 years for this to be released on dvd
and YES Dazza they did have a single called Quick on the draw as well as Winning Hand but neither were ever released on Album…..pity as they were cracker songs but HOORAY for You Tube eh !!…….I also have an audio of the Andy D memorial that was also simulcast on EON FM and channel 7 with extended interviews and commentary from most of the artists from that gig ….I also was there and still have the ticket and photos to prove it !!.
Mate i hear wot u say about ..STARS..i used 2 see them live in the pubs…mainly @ the LONDEN TAVERN in caulfield..i always thought they were great..and still do..!!!
I had the vinyl of PARADISE …I think the best they did ..Like a DICKHEAD I loaned it 2 someone & didn’t get it back…I have been searching 4 years to find it …either on vinyl or CD …can u help me….PPPLLEEEEAASSSSSSE
Great band,the first record i ever bought was land of fortune….got it at a s/hand record shop that i used to checkout daily walking home from school,had to hide it behind some other records till i saved up enough coin for it.Great band.
Saw a clip of Sam Brown singing at a train station in the rain in England.The bloke on harmonica looks like Mick Pealing and theres a guy with a stars t shirt on.Any info
Mick Pealing from Stars turns 55 today. Happy birthday Mick 🙂 https://australianmusichistory.com//the-stars/
Is there any sheet music going around for their songs?I love their music,great listening,would like to play the music for personal use. Cheers
Why don’t I tunes have the stars for download?
go to this web site http://www.raremp3.co.uk/search/label/STARS and you can download the Paradise Album and 1157 Im still trying to find the Land of Fortune Album
Nope it been removed.
Come on Mushroom, put it up on Itunes, at least the surviving band memers or the family of those passed will get a deserved kickback, and we get to listen to a great austrailian band.
[…] After Yourself” – Stars (Either JavaScript is not active or you are using an old version of Adobe Flash Player. Please […]
The Andrew Durant memorial concert was on constant play on our turntable when I was a kid. I’ve got it on CD and vinyl… but the score of the day was yesterday when I picked up ‘Paradise’ for a measly $5- in a Melbourne record store. The sadness of it is that to me this record is worth a great deal more, and will be cherished from now till forever. What a classic piece of Australian music that was so very underated, and unappreciated by those not in the know. But a sheer blessing for the ears of those that are. THANKYOU.
You do know it was released on DVD don’t you? 🙂 For anyone that is interested you can purcahse it here
http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/music/pop-rock/andrew-durant-memorial-concert-stars-live-at-bombay-rock/293553
Stars albums are available for dowload on the following site….
http://midoztouch.com
Does anyone have an update on how to get CDs
they are no longer available
[…] Stars must be one of the most requested bands in my time working on this site. I get a large number of people asking “Where can I get Paradise Or Land Of Fortune etc”. Up until now the only suggestion I’ve been able to give is to search the 2nd hand stores as they’ve been out of print for some time. […]
I think land of fortune is one of the best aussie albums ever made!! I want last of the riverboats played at my funeral!! Has anyone got sheet music/tab for this song… email me link me to it –anything. Ive tried to workout the picking at the lead inn from the andy durant concert video but due to no close ups it was futile. Anyone that can help me pleeeeeease do– this is a thirty year periodic obsession that is on my bucket list and time is growing shorter every day.
Totally agree Wazza. Land of Fortune is a cracker album. For the music for Last of the Riverboats I would suggest contacting Mal Eastic direct. He played a gig recently in Windsor but I couldn’t make it. He did a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn – one of my guitar heroes. Mal would have been brilliant I’m sure.
What-ever happened to Bonney Sheldrick
What a travesty that so many Oz artists/bands are not available through the various multi national corporations. I am chasing any disc copies of the Stars studio albums if anyone can share the music, as it appears the stupidy of record companies has deprived us music fans of brilliant music-and we are prepared to pay for the music. Cheers
http://www.raremp3.co.uk/search?q=stars on this site you will find Stars Paradise and 1157 Albums my cassettes worn out ages ago and being a huge Stars fan I couldnt find any shops that sold stars Albums but also just recently I have just bougght from JB hi Fi Stars Live at the Bombay Rock and The Andrew Durant Concert
Thanks Macca
I tried to navigate through the link and could not find the relevant files. If you have any disc copies would be greatful if could assist. Can forward an email address and happy to compensate for your time.
Cheers
Wal
ok Wal send me an email and I can organise the CD’s for you
Thanks Macca
Will sort postage etc for you
Cheers
Wal
wallypandos@hotmail.com
[…] Doug Parkinson, Split Enz, Jon English, Jo Jo Zep, Russell Morris, Max Merritt, The Mixtures, Stars, Kevin Borich, Skyhooks you’ll get the drift.The culmination of the event saw Stevie Wright […]
J.C
Happy to assist if I can-thanks to Macca
email:
wallpandos@hotmail.com
Cheers
The staff at Red Eye Records in Sydney told me in August 2011 that The Stars albums are about to get a re-release.
Paradise and Land of Fortune have been re-released by Warner Music, I bought both a monthh ago from Rev Records in Adelaide, a great shop to get old releases
That’s awesome. What is the sound quality like? Have the albums been re-mastered?
1157 IS THE BEST ‘ LIVE ‘ ALBUM EVER
I remember snatches of the opera house concert in 1978..Finch, Stars & Rabbit I think if a seriously abused memory still serves me well. I agree that Stars cranked out some of the best gear around in those days
All the Stars albums are now available on itunes
Brilliant news! Thanks.
Still got the vinyls of the Stars and they play ok – Mighty Rock still a favourite.
Sat next to Andy in 3rd year at Brighton High in 69 with Glyn and I can remember Jim Keys was the Science assistant for a while that year. Such a waste to leave us so early in life.
Love my Stars & Mal Eastick albums & DVDs. Always good value live & too under-rated. cu when ur back in Sydney Mal.cheers
Great to see more than a passing interest in this Aussie Band & Andrew Durant well into the 21stC now…………..the original Memorial Concert via VHS Tape & now on DVD stills sends shivers done my spine at times – particularly Richard Clapton & Brod Smith with Andrew’s Songs
MARK,
Congratulations on this WEBSITE & your Efforts.
We need interests like this to look after our Aussie Artists & Shows including more TV Docs/Music like ROCKWIZ & WROKDOWN
6/5/2014
34 years today that we lost one of the very best song writers in Australia Andy Durant
He may be gone but hes music will last forever ..Look After yourself RIP Andy
I spent a lot of time with these guys while they were progressing and transitioning from Nantucket to STARS in the mid 70’s, Mick, Mal, Glyn and Andy were such gentlemen. My best friend was Mal’s brother, Rob’s girlfriend, who managed sound control. I have the best memories of their music at the Gouger Hotel dancing to Free, Bad Company, Deep Purple etc. I have very fond memories of those days and the guy. I will never let go of that past where Australian music rocked!
[…] had been looking to film/photograph any bands I grew up with. Stars were a band I admired and I had watched the Andrew Durant Memorial Concert a few times back in the […]
[…] Land Of Fortune by Stars […]
Just wanted to know if ‘1157’ is available on cd?
One sensational album … they were truly great, heard an interview with Jimmy Barnes one day how he sort of mocked Stars as they were both from Adelaide ….
1157 here it is
https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/1157/id455779169
yes saw that… made me think differently of JB after that.. was jealous as Stars had more than them
Cheers Glenn, I was aware it’s available from Apple but I’m a kinda tactile guy, wanted the cd, inlay card etc, the re-released ‘Land of Fortune’ & ‘Paradise’ but no 1157, it indicates there is a limited market and not worth their while to do anything about it, however it’s brilliant that many Aust. artists are re-released in remastered form.
Mandu, Ayers Rock, Buffalo, Spectrum, Ariel, Stylus, Sid Rumpo, McKenzie Theory, so, so many, good to see….
I had the extreme privilege to see Stars last weekend at the Thredbo Blues Festival.
Pealing, Eastik, Dowding and McLachlan killed them launching into classic after classic in their 2nd gig in almost 40 years, these legends were greatly assisted by Nick Charles who did the acoustic work , every song was played, opened with Back Again, they played stuff that was only ever showcased on the memorial concert including Ocean Deep. The Last of the riverboats and Look After Yourself were highlights before Mighty Rock and a stirring 10 minutes of Rocky Mountain way concluded… Legends of Oz music !!
I hope that Robbie Robertson got paid the royalties for “The mighty rock” because the melody line is a dead steal of “The Shape I’m In “, off The Band’s Stage Fright album. Recorded and released well before this thing.
[…] Doug Parkinson, Split Enz, Jon English, Jo Jo Zep, Russell Morris, Max Merritt, The Mixtures, Stars, Kevin Borich, Skyhooks you’ll get the […]
Multiple copies of ‘Land of Fortune’ cd on ebay. One new copy from a Sydney source and the rest from a small Italian label. As per others, I bought a copy of ‘Paradise’ from jbHiFi many years ago. Sad ‘1157’ not available on cd, not so much interested as a download from iTunes etc
https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=stars+land+of+fortune++cd&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=stars+paradise+cd
[…] 30th Dec 1955 – Mick Pealing – Stars […]
[…] 6th May 1980 – Andy Durant. Stars […]