Shooting Star

Shooting Star is a classic American rock band that lit up the Midwest music scene in the late 1970s with their blend of melodic hooks and fiery guitar work. Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, the group formed in 1978 and quickly gained attention for their anthemic sound, landing a major-label deal with Virgin Records – a rarity for bands outside coastal music hubs. Led by guitarist Van McLain and vocalist Gary West, they scored rock radio hits like "You Got What I Need" and "Last Chance," blending arena-ready riffs with polished harmonies. Their self-titled 1980 debut and follow-up albums like *III Wishes* solidified their reputation as heartland rockers with a knack for storytelling.

Though lineup shifts and industry changes slowed their momentum after the ’80s, Shooting Star’s music remains a time capsule of fist-pumping, radio-friendly rock. Recent remastered releases like *Anthology (2019 Remaster)* and live recordings such as *Alive in America* reintroduce their catalog to new generations, proving those soaring choruses and dual-guitar attacks still hit hard. The band continues to tour sporadically, keeping the spirit of their Kansas City roots alive.

Genres

Album Rock

Arena Rock

Rock

Pop Rock

Folk Rock

Soft Rock

Progressive Rock

Blues Rock

Classic Rock

Heartland Rock

Melodic Rock

Related Artists

Foreigner

REO Speedwagon

Journey

Styx

Boston

Survivor

Kansas

Night Ranger

38 Special

TOTO

Triumph

Blue Öyster Cult

Latest Release

Alive In America - Volume 3

Shooting Star

Ep - 5 Tracks - Released May 14, 2018