August 29, 2024 AntiMusic
Review: The Hollywood Stars – Starstruck
July 30, 2024 Music Connection
LIVE REVIEW OF THE HOLLYWOOD STARS IN HOLLYWOOD
– Music Guru Radio
“…this is an album that speaks of what rock n’ roll was but, more importantly, signposts what it could be”
– Midland Rocks
“Starstruck is the best power pop album you’ll hear in years”
– Ruta 66 Magazine
“Starstruck is a rock-solid collection of songs, any of which would have fit nicely alongside their ‘70s work. Thirteen songs (plus a couple of alt versions) are all killer and no filler.”
– Musoscribe
“…the best power pop album of the year to date”
– Shindig!
“The Hollywood Stars new album (after 40 years) Starstruck is way better than it has any right to be. This is the feel good story of the summer.”
– Boston Groupie News
“Glammy power-pop at its best”
– The Second Disc
History of The Hollywood Stars™
The 70s
In 1973, impresario and well-known Hollywood figure, Kim Fowley, brought the original band together: Mark Anthony (guitar and vocals), Ruben de Fuentes (lead guitar), Scott Phares (vocals), Terry Rae (drums and vocals), and Gary van Dyke (bass). Late 1973, Kim brought all of the record companies in LA and every street urchin he could find to hear the band’s debut at Studio Instrument Rentals. In December, the band made the first of many appearances at the Whisky A-go-go. Soon, Gary was replaced by a new bass player, Kevin Barnhill.
Early in 1974, the band signed with Columbia Records and recorded their first album with Eagles’ producer, Bill Szymczyk. The album was eventually released on Last Summer Records in 2013 on vinyl entitled “Shine Like A Radio.”
Kim Fowley got two of the songs covered by two major artists. “Escape” was covered by Alice Cooper on the “Welcome to my Nightmare” LP, and “King of the Nighttime World” was covered by Kiss on their “Destroyer” LP.
Later, the band reformed with Mark, Ruben, Terry, and two new members, Bobby Dryer (drums) and Michael Rummans (bass and vocals). They recorded an LP for Arista produced by David Bowie’s producer, Harry Maslin. The LP was released in 1977 along with their single, “All the Kids in the Street.” Soon after, the band toured with the Kinks.
2015 – 2017
In 2015, the band got together with the four remaining original members, Ruben, Terry, Scott and Gary for a music video of “King of the Night Time World.”
In 2017, a 45 of “King of the Nighttime World” backed with “Habits” and “Too Hot To Handle” was released. The single is unique in that both versions of the band are represented and two of the tracks had never been released before.
2018
In 2018, the band decided to reform with Ruben, Terry, Scott, Michael, and a new member, Chezz Monroe (guitar and vocals). Their first live performance with the new line-up was at Thee Bootleg Theater on November 11th as part of a fund-raising event.
2020 – 2022
In mid-2020, John Schayer joined the band on bass and vocals. John had actually been in a band with Terry and Ruben prior to the original Hollywood Stars. Shortly after John joined the band, the group signed a multi-year, multi-album deal with Golden Robot Records.
2023 – Present
In early 2023, Ruben and Chezz left the band for personal and artistic reasons. George Keller and Jeff Jourard joined the band at that time.
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