Namesakes #117: Stars

On Christmas Eve, wise men have been known to follow a Star. 

But what do you do when the sky is full of them? Which Stars will you choose to follow?

STARS #1

This first one fried my brain when I started digging into it on discogs. First they told me that was a pseudonym of Kid Rock... but clearly not the Kid Rock I was familiar with, since this track dates back to the early 70s when Robert James Ritchie would have been a babe in arms. Discogs also suggested that the Stars in question had also recorded under the name Clover... but not the Clover I was familiar with, i.e. the one that eventually morphed into Huey Lewis & The News.

But there was worse to come, since discogs also revealed that one of the songwriters in this particular Stars was called Ray Davies. You can guess the rest.

This was like a Namesakes equivalent of an MC Escher painting!

Stars - All Around You

THE STARS #2

And now... some Argentinian reggae, circa 1972. Or not long after Dandy Livingstone did his version...

The Stars - Susana, Cuidate Del Diablo 

STARS #3

Aussie country-rockers from the late 70s. This was their biggest hit...

Stars - Look After Yourself

STARS #4

British rock band from the 70s, featuring vocalist Simon Lait. Apparently John Peel was a fan, so if you were listening to him in 1975, you might remember this...

Stars - That Was Yesterday

STARS #5

Also in 1975, we find this strange little ditty from one Todd Tamanend Clark, an early human statue wannabe from the look of his photo, released under the name The Stars.

The Stars - Flame Over Africa

THE STARS #6

We don't play enough Dutch schlager on this feature, particularly not from Dierdre Barlow and three of her pre-Ken suitors...

The translation is "You Are Number One". Wishful thinking, I'm guessing.

The Stars - Jij Bent Nummer 1

STARZ #7

Heavy-rocking New Jersey band formed from the remains of Looking Glass (remember Brandy?). Cited as a major influence on everyone from Bon Jovi to Twisted Sister... but try not to let that bother your inner muso-snob. 

Here they are in 1976... and they're still going strong today!

Starz - Detroit Girls

STARS #8

Finnish Stars from 1978, with their big hit (well, it has a very big name), Paikallispuudutuspiikki. 

Bless you.

Stars - Paikallispuudutuspiikki

STARS #9

Here's one for Ernie: some funky South African soul from 1980.

Stars - John Tate

STARS #10

A smooth disco number from the US in 1981...

Stars - Dancin' People

THE STARS #11

Still in the early 80s disco, here's another bunch of Stars, produced by the late Harvey Scales & Cedrick Rupert. Who, incredibly, is an American... not an upper class Eton-educated twit.

The Stars - (We Are The) Stars

STARS #12

Imagine a dreadful 1992 High NRG / Eurobeat cover of the Jackson 5 / Gloria Gaynor / Communards hit... and then save yourself the horror of pressing play.

Stars - Never Can Say Goodbye

STARS #13

Japanese acid rock group active from 1999 until 2009. 

Stars - Everlasting Daylight

STARS #14

Canadian indie band, active throughout the 21st Century, possibly the most successful band to ever dub themself "Stars".

Stars - Your Ex-Lover Is Dead

THE STARS #15

Finally, some Aussie indie rockers from 2004, who also recorded a song called I Am Begging To Be Sexually Harrassed. Someone needs to inform the HR Department.

To paraphrase George: "this one will feature on my download tape".

The Stars - Office Crush

Which is your Stars on 45... and which is your Simply Red?