Producer Dennis McKay worked with guitar giants Tommy Bolin and Mick Ronson (and later even prima diva Whitney Houston), and he ups the horsepower on Hang on for Your Life, driving these rocky cornfield boys further into the AOR commercial zone. The hell-bent title track of Shooting Star's sophomore sizzler is an obvious and enjoyable clip of after-work blue-collar rock. "Breakout" (not a reference to the complexions of this sextet's sizable Midwestern teen audience) also hit the airwaves and runs along the same predictable lines. The humane "Flesh and Blood" and the plaintive "Hollywood" reiterate the heartfelt intensity of the gleaming debut, while "Teaser" may pay homage to the late, lamented Bolin. The valleys between the aforementioned peaks in Hang on for Your Life are decent enough and not too long. Recorded at Randy Bachman's Legend studios, this is another solid album by a fine band who never scaled the heights with their peers in Journey and REO Speedwagon. ~ Doug Stone, All Music Guide
John Austin (Studio Manager), Shooting Star (Main Performer), Bill Guffey (Keyboards), Bill Guffey (Group Member), Chris Haas (Engineer), Randy LeRoy (Mastering), Dennis MacKay (Producer), Van McClain (Guitar), Van McLain (Guitar), Van McLain (Vocals), Van McLain (Group Member), Steve Thomas (Drums), Ron Verlin (Bass), Ron Verlin (Guitar (Bass)), Ron Verlin (Group Member), Charles Waltz (Violin), Charles Waltz (Keyboards), Charles Waltz (Vocals), Charles Waltz (Group Member), Gary West (Guitar), Gary West (Drums), Gary West (Keyboards), Gary West (Vocals), Gary West (Group Member), Neil Harris (Crew), Karen Katz (Art Direction), Duane Michaels (Photography), Dennis Atkinson (Art Direction), John W. Edwards (Design), John W. Edwards (Layout Design), John W. Edwards (Digital Remastering), Paul Dalen (Assistant Engineer), Dennis Fite (Crew), Todd Harpster (Crew)
Hang On For Your Life is a 1981 album by the group Shooting Star. The song Flesh And Blood featured a violin solo, an unusual sound in an up-tempo rock song. American AOR radio stations embraced the record; the songs Hang On For Your Life, Hollywood, Breakout, and Are You On My Side along with Flesh And Blood, all received airplay.
Track listing
Flesh And Blood (West-McLain) - 5:48
Hang On For Your Life (West-McLain) - 3:22
Are You On My Side (West-McLain) - 3:15
Teaser (West-McLain) - 3:15
Hollywood (West-McLain) - 4:10
Breakout (West-McLain) - 3:39
You're So Good (West-McLain) - 3:48
She's Got Money (West-McLain) - 3:35
You've Got Love (West-McLain) - 4:53
Sweet Elatia (West-McLain) - 4:16
Musicians
Gary West - keyboards, guitars, lead vocals
Van McLain - lead guitar, lead vocals
Ron Verlin - bass guitar
Steve Thomas - drums
Bill Guffey - keyboards
Charles Waltz - violin, vocals
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