Shooting Star

In Kansas City toward the close of the 1970s, the muscular '80s rock outfit known as Shooting Star assembled around vocalist/guitarist Van McLain, guitarist Gary West, violin player Charles Waltz, bassist Ron Verlin, and drummer Steve Thomas. Before the decade ended, the band secured a contract with Virgin and issued its self-titled debut album late in 1979. The single "You've Got What I Need" registered modest chart success, as did "Hollywood" from 1981's Hang on for Your Life, yet Shooting Star had dissolved by 1985. Four years afterward, McLain and Verlin convened another version of the group, with vocal responsibilities assigned to newcomer Keith Mitchell. This edition surfaced in 1989 through the single "Touch Me Tonight," which became the act's strongest performer by reaching number 76, while the sixth album overall, It's Not Over, arrived in 1991.