STARCASTLE...
FROM PAST TO PRESENT...
St. James
The Starcastle story begins in 1969 at the University of
Illinois in Champaign. Students Steve Hagler (guitar), Mike
Castlehorn (Drums) and Paul Tassler (bass guitar) formed St.
James performing cover tunes of the day in local bars, and
student mixers. Herb Schildt joined later filling out the bands
sound. The unforeseen death of Mike Castlehorn in a Car
accident, left the drum spot open to Steve Tassler, Paul’s
brother, who at the time was playing off and on in another band.
Paul had become more interested in the business side of things,
and left his bass playing position to manage the group. Gary
Strater who had sat in with St. James on a number of occasions,
as well as owning a Van to haul gear became the band’s bass
player.
Mad John Fever
With
the lineup in place, new band name and Paul at the helm, Mad
John Fever were set to do something more than just become a
cover band. Highly influenced by the British Progressive rock of
the time, Mad John Fever began writing material that would
eventually appear on the 1st album. The group began a rigorous
schedule of gigs including dates with Styx, Mike Bloomfield,
Blue Oyster Cult, Stories, and Captain Beyond as well as clubs
throughout the Midwest. The group had begun to hone its stage
show, working in original material with Allman Brothers, Deep
Purple, Wishbone Ash, and Jethro Tull covers. Despite relative
success, and the release of a (now rare) single, something more
was needed
Terry Luttrell was already well know in Champaign
as the vocalist for REO Speedwagon and appeared on that groups
first self-titled LP. After leaving REO, Terry performed in
another local band called Sea Daddy with guitarist Matt Stewart.
Terry’s soft tenor and previous experience in the "Biz" was just
what the band needed. Matt had already gained a reputation in
the area by sneaking into clubs at a young age and jamming with
whomever he could. His style of playing proved to be
complimentary to Hagler’s and a new version of Mad John Fever
set to work.
Pegasus
In
1974, the group felt the band name just did not fit the music,
or the image they wanted to present. "Pegasus" was chosen, and a
couple club dates as well as an opening act slot with the
Strawbs in St. Louis took place under this moniker, but it
wasn’t to be. After an excellent review of the Strawbs gig in a
St. Louis music paper, another Illinois band calling themselves
Pegasus threatened legal action to stop using the name as they
had the copyright. Not wanting problems, the band decided to
find another name. A number of possible names were put in a hat
(literally), and the word "Starcastle" was drawn. With Mad John
Fever, and Pegasus behind them, Starcastle pushed forward and
the Record Industry started to take notice.
Starcastle
Starcastle
continued to work hard over the next year. Recording and touring
extensively with The Guess Who, Elvin Bishop, Montrose, Sha Na
Na, Roxy Music and working the club circuit. Greater exposure
was generated through several Midwest radio stations including
disc jockey Asher Benrubi- "The Mighty Atom Smasher" in
Indianapolis who plugged the band, and gave the early demos
substantial air play. Mercury and CBS were both paying
attention, but the deal was sealed when then CBS A&R Rep Steve
Popvitch saw the band play at a club in Edwardsville. Work began
on the bands first LP in Pekin, Illinois and was released in
early 1976.
The response to the music of Starcastle was overwhelming. Receiving heavy
FM air play throughout the US & Canada the group began an even
more intensive touring schedule including some of the biggest
shows of their careers. Central Park in New York City with
Gentle Giant, Playing to over 100,000 people over two days in
Los Angeles and San Diego on the Jethro Tull tour and many
others. The first album sold well, and Epic sent the band to Le
Studio in Morin Heights, Quebec with Roy Thomas Baker. Roy was
well known for his success with Queen, although the band were
not quite sure if it was a good fit or not, as Roy did not
understand Starcastle’s vocals and other aspects of the sound.
While the atmosphere and surroundings of Le Studio were idyllic,
the final product, while considered the band’s best -"Fountains
of Light" turned out to be something other than what the band
envisioned. More touring followed this time including a number
of headlining shows in small halls and universities with
Journey, and Foreigner supporting Starcastle on some dates.
"Fountains of Light" was critically acclaimed, and while the
single "Diamond Song (Deep is the Light)" failed to chart-the
album sold respectably, but once again the label wanted more
from Starcastle and the times were changing.
After
the huge successes of Peter Frampton’s "Comes Alive" album and
Boston’s self titled debut, as well as the rise of punk rock and
disco - radio formats were moving away from progressive rock. No
longer were programmers interested in eight minute songs, or
concepts, they wanted short concise songs, that would fit on the
radio and sell. Despite issues with Roy Baker’s style, the label
sent Starcastle to England to record "Citadel" with Baker once
again handling production. The pressure was on, but Starcastle
kept to it’s progressive rock roots. Minor air play was
generated with "Can’t Think Twice" and "Could this be Love", but
not enough to push the sales CBS wanted. More touring followed,
but cracks in the band were starting to show.
"Real to Reel" was an album the band felt should have never been
released, despite it containing a couple of Starcastle’s best
songs "Song for Alaya" and "When the Sun Shines at Midnight".
Some of the more "progressive" demo’s done for the record were
rejected by CBS, and the band had stopped believing in what they
were doing. The LP was released, and fell flat. During the tour
supporting the LP, Herb decided it was time to leave to pursue
his passion- Computers, and Terry who had his eyes on producing,
both left Starcastle after the groups final date of the tour
with Aerosmith in Cincinnati, Ohio. The bands wish was to
continue using another vocalist, but disappointing sales and the
fact Terry had left, CBS promptly dropped Starcastle from it’s
roster. In turn the management company Artistic Visions let the
band go- leaving Paul Tassler again to handle Starcastle’s
business.
Undeterred, Starcastle carried on. They regrouped in Champaign
and in early 1979 the band began touring again this time with
Steve Hagler on lead vocals and without a record contract. While
this line-up worked for a while, Matt remembered a vocalist he
had met and became friends with a few years earlier- Ralph
Goldhiem. Ralph had toured the Midwest with another CBS/Epic
group called Timberline. While the Timberline sound was more
similar to The Eagles and Poco, it gave Ralph a taste of what he
wanted to do. He moved to Los Angeles temporally joining up with
former Trapeze / Deep Purple vocalist Glen Hughes in rehearsals
for a possible album which never materialized. It was during
this time Matt called Ralph about joining Starcastle as
vocalist.
With
Ralph on board in July of 1979 the new Starcastle took shape.
The material became more hard edged, while still retaining the
trademark Starcastle sound. Needing a change of surroundings
Starcastle moved from Champaign to Atlanta, Georgia. A spec deal
was signed with producer Jeff Glixman in Atlanta who was at that
time best known for his work with Kansas. Through working with
Glixman on the first demo, a management deal was signed with
former Queen manager-Jack Nelson. Nelson was more of a "hands
off" manager, but did bring both Arista and A&M’s John Kolander
to the table for a possible deal. Nothing happened, but the band
still held out hope that something would come along for the
better. The band contemplated a name change at one point-even
played a gig as "The Pack" at Atlanta’s Agora Ballroom, but it
was still Starcastle, and it was Starcastle they came to hear.
In 1980 both Steve Hagler and Steve Tassler left the group.
Tassler’s replacement on drums was Mauro Magellan. Rehearsals
took place with Magellan, but he left a short time later to join
The Georgia Satellites -a band who’s multi-selling debut album
would be produced by Jeff Glixman. Matt Stewart left for
California and would later join Head East as guitarist in the
mid-80’s. Gary & Ralph continued to write together, but
eventually Gary returned to Champaign, disillusioned and looking
for a fresh start.
Gary organized later versions of the band in California through
the '80s, and work has been completed on the new Starcastle record,
"Song of Times". Through a series of adventures, and with the
dedicated work of a group that includes vocalist Al Lewis,
formerly of Alaska, Starcastle guitarist Bruce Botts, Gary,
Matt, Herb, Steve Tassler, Pogo Studio's Mark Rubel and various
friends and associates.
The new "Live at RoSfest album" Will be released at RoSfest
2008!
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DISCOGRAPHY : :
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Starcastle 1976
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Fountains Of Light 1977
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Citadel 1977
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Real to Reel 1978
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Concert Classics 1999
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Chronos 2001
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Song of Times 2007
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