Shooting Star and Missouri Rock Kearney Amphitheater

It’s going to get hot at the Kearney Amphitheater this weekend, and we’re not just talking about the weather. The 2022 Kearney Amphitheater season heats up with classic rock legends Shooting Star and Missouri on Saturday night.

2018 was the 38th Anniversary of the legendary Shooting Star debut album released in 1980. The band will be playing iconic hit songs written by Van McLain and Gary West like You've Got What I Need, Bring It On, Last Chance and more.

Through the years, Shooting Star endured their share of industry challenges and member changes. There were even times it seemed that the band could not continue forward. But founding member Van McClain was the constant rock that kept the fire burning.

Sadly, Van McLain passed away in March of 2018. The remaining members were determined to continue on to honor Van and keep his music alive. With the full support from Van's family SHOOTING STAR continues to shine today.

Jan. 19th, 2019 marked the return of Shooting Star to a sold out crowd at the Ameristar Star Pavilion in Kansas City, MO.

 Missouri was founded in 1976 by Kansas City singer and songwriter, Ron West. As the sole writer of the songs, Ron hand-picked his band members and quickly began working in the studio, releasing their self-titled debut album in August of 1977 on Panama Records. The band consisted of: Ron West on guitar and vocals, Bill Larson on drums, Alan Cohen on bass, and Lane Turner on lead guitar.

Randall Platt joined the band on keyboards just after the completion of the album. Soon after its release, Missouri made the recommended album list in Billboard magazine. The album soon landed itself in heavy rotation in the Midwest, achieving airplay success with their first single, Movin’ On.

In 1979, Missouri released a second album on Polydor Records entitled, Welcome Two Missouri. This album included some new material and new sounds for the band, along with a re-recorded version of Movin’ On. In spite of the successful sales of the second album, Polydor Records did not renew the contract, citing the change of direction in popular music that was taking place in the late 70’s. VNR Records later released a CD collection of Missouri songs entitled, The Best of Missouri.

Founding members Lane Turner and Bill Larson, are working together again, four decades after their debut album release. They were greatly saddened by the passing of their bass player, Alan Cohen, in 2003. The loss of founding member and singer songwriter Ron West in 2020, has left an empty space in the classic rock community of Kansas City and beyond. His talent and creativity lives on in the music he left behind. The members of Missouri are committed to honoring the music, talents, and legacies of these two gentlemen.

Amphitheater gates open at 6 pm on Saturday, July 23rd, and the show starts at 7 pm. Tickets are $20.00 in advance and $25.00 at the gate. Advanced tickets can be purchased through KearneyAmphitheater.com.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story