Starcastle was a six piece Prog Rock group from Champaign, Illinois and at their peak (1976-1980) released 4 albums for Sony Music. 'Starcastle', 'Fountains of Light', 'Citadel' and 'Real to Reel' are shining examples of quality art rock from the 70's. On tour they graced arena stages with Styx, Boston, Rush, Jethro Tull, Heart, Journey and others. The group experienced great success but tragically would break up in 1980. 

 

A few years later, bassist/vocalist and founding member Gary Strater relocated to Northern California and began to reinvent his own musical vision. This ultimately led to a reformation of the band with a new, more modern feel.  Mark met Gary in 1984 while busy launching his own new band 'Now' when the two bands teamed up for a string of shows together in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was an amazing dbl bill of emotional, progressive rock music! Mark really enjoyed what he was hearing from Starcastle. He and Gary along with drummer Scott McKenzie were instantly drawn to each other, both musically and personally. The magnetism between them just seemed to be pulling them closer and closer together, almost as if by some divine intervention. It was obvious that they should be working together and then one night while hanging out backstage at the Cabaret in San Jose, Ca., Gary asked Mark to join the band. Ironically during this time there was inner friction between the rhythm section in 'Now' and it having a negative affect on creativity and productivity at rehearsals. This had been weighing heavily on Mark and even though he was the songwriter and band leader, he decided to end his own band and join up with Starcastle. Mark was only 19 and Gary 33, yet the musical chemistry was magic between them! ​

 

Starcastle was now a 5 piece band with Gary, Scott McKenzie, the amazing George Harp on vocals and Bruce Botts and Mark on guitars. Rehearsals took place in Concord, Ca at engineer Michael Oliver's studio. Everything was going great as they worked up a set of music together. They performed a special showcase event and the response was stellar. Then, unexpectedly guitarist Botts did not show up to rehearsals and without any explanation, moved back to the mid-west where he was originally from. It appeared as if the new band dynamic with 2 guitars wasn't something of interest to him. The band,  shocked by his departure, could only continue moving forward and immediately began to create more music together. Shows began in the Bay Area and their new music was intense and more experimental allowing a more expansive direction. Over the next year and a half there were many shows with demos recorded. And then came the addition of keyboardist virtuoso Jimmy Wagner. It was free and unbridled and creativity just poured out of everyone! This special period  together was a cherished and creative time!

 

Through the years Gary and Mark's friendship remained but Gary and his beloved wife Sascha eventually returned to their roots in Champaigne, IL. His commitment to music remained and he released a solo/new age album. Eventually some of the original members and music friends helped put together a new Starcastle album 'Song of Times'. It contained a combination of work from various incarnations of the band including some tracks from the California sessions.

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Gary Strater was a musical master, deep spiritual being, witty and kind hearted human!

Sadly he lost his battle with cancer in 2004 and he is missed every single day.  On Sept 19th, 2004 the world lost a true genius as he went on to fly with the angels!

Gary Dale Strater (R.I.P.  01/14/53 – 09/19/04)