Starchild (band)

Starchild was a Canadian progressive rock band that released an LP record called "Children of the Stars" on the Toronto-based Axe label in 1978, followed by a single "No Control For RocknRoll" a few years later. Both records are quite rare and collectible.

The original line-up consisted of Rick Whittier (vocals), Bob Sprenger (guitars), Neil Light (bass), and Greg "Fritz" Hinz (drums). Hinz later joined Canadian rockers Helix and was replaced by Dixie Lee, formerly drummer of British rockers Lone Star, who was coming off a stint playing in Ozzie Osbourne's first solo project.

History

Starchild was formed in 1975 in Cambridge, Ontario when Bob Sprenger, Rick Whittier, and Neil Light, who played in a steady gigging band called Gaslight, decided to reform as a heavier rock band. After going through a few different drummers, they stuck together with "Fritz" and hit the road fulltime.

The name of the band came from the Starchild Trilogy written by Frederik Pohl and Jack Williamson. Most of the band members were huge science fiction fans, and when the band's producer Greg Hambleton (who also signed Steel River to his Tuesday label) wanted something more futuristic sounding than the previous name, Thorne, the name change to Starchild was unanimous.

The band's first recording was a 2 song demo ("Party of the Toads" and "Tough Situation") produced and engineered by a young Daniel Lanois in his mother's basement in Ancaster in 1976. Lanois went on to produce U2, Peter Gabriel, and Brian Eno among others.

"Children of the Stars" was recorded in Toronto in the autumn of 1977 and released in the spring of 1978. The band opened for fellow Canadian rockers Triumph, Goddo, and Moxy as well as others.

The album received "moderate" airplay across the country after release (mostly as promo for the band's live appearances) but due to the fact there were no radio friendly commercial songs released as a charted single, it didn't rocket up the charts. Being a very progressive rock style (influenced by other Canadian acts like Rush and Saga ) in an age of Disco & New Wave was detrimental as well.

Neil Light left the band for family reasons in 1979 and was replaced by Bill Mair & later Toronto native Wayne Brown. Fritz left to join Helix a few months later and was replaced by Dixie Lee.

Starchild continued to tour across Canada, and although the band never made it to Europe, their records sold better there than they did in Canada. The single "No Control for RocknRoll" was covered by a band from Holland in the 1980s.

In early 1982, the band went into Metalworks Studios owned & operated by the band Triumph and recorded a 2 song demo ("Steamroller Rock", "I Need A Woman Tonight") to shop for a new record label. Their contract with Axe records was mutually ended due to the fact that the label wanted the band to change their look & music style to the New Wave trend that was becoming popular due to the success of bands like the Knack (My Sharona).The band however wanted no part of that & decided to go in more of a Heavy metal direction, influenced by bands like Judas Priest & Iron Maiden.

Toronto-based Attic Records were very interested in possibly signing the band but road fatigue took its toll and Starchild split up in the summer of 1982 just before it's Toronto audition for Attic.

Whittier & Sprenger briefly reformed the band with 2 local Toronto musicians that fall as a The Who cover band called "the Wholigans" (another Toronto band later took the name & had moderate success with the Who tribute act),but after a seies of rehearsals, both felt their hearts weren't into pretending to be someone else & that project was abandoned.

Bob Sprenger & Neil Light formed the band "Thief in the Night" in '85 opening for Trooper & Platinum Blonde and others before disbanding in '90.

Sprenger recorded 2 CDs with power trio "Distant Thunder" in the early 90's & reunited with original Starchild bassplayer Neil Light to form the classic rock band "Wake the Giants". The band does mostly covers including material from the "Children of the Stars" LP and still performs on a regular basis in 2008.

Members

Vocals- Rick Whittier

Guitars- Bob Sprenger

Bass- Neil Light, Bill Mair, Wayne Brown

Drums- Bill Coutts, Greg (Fritz) Hinz, Dixie Lee

Discography

Albums1978- "Children of the Stars" (Axe Records distributed by London Records of Canada)

Singles1981- "No Control For RocknRoll" (Tuesday Records)