Single · 1986
Tracklist
1. Stars (4:43)
2. The 4 1/2 Minute News (5:00)
3. Stars (extended version) (7:04)
Total Time: 16:47
Line-up/Musicians
Eric Bloom (Blue Öyster Cult) / Vocals
Ronnie James Dio (Dio) / Vocals
Don Dokken (Dokken) / Vocals
Kevin DuBrow (Quiet Riot) / Vocals
Rob Halford (Judas Priest) / Vocals
Dave Meniketti (Y&T) / Vocals
Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt) / Vocals
Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche) / Vocals
Tommy Aldridge (Ozzy Osbourne) / Backing Vocals
Dave Alford (Rough Cutt) / Backing Vocals
Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge/King Kobra) / Backing Vocals
Vinny Appice (Dio) / Backing Vocals
Jimmy Bain (Dio) / Backing Vocals
Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot) / Backing Vocals
Mick Brown (Dokken) / Backing Vocals
Vivian Campbell (Dio) / Backing Vocals
Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot) / Backing Vocals
Amir Derakh (Rough Cutt) / Backing Vocals
Buck Dharma (Blue Öyster Cult) / Backing Vocals
Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) / Backing Vocals
Craig Goldy (Giuffria) / Backing Vocals
Chris Hager (Rough Cutt) / Backing Vocals
Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.) / Backing Vocals
Blackie Lawless (W.A.S.P.) / Backing Vocals
George Lynch (Dokken) / Backing Vocals
Yngwie Malmsteen / Backing Vocals
Mick Mars (Mötley Crüe) / Backing Vocals
Michael McKean (in character, and credited as David St. Hubbins of Spinal Tap) / Backing Vocals
Vince Neil (Mötley Crüe) / Backing Vocals
Ted Nugent / Backing Vocals
Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister) / Backing Vocals
Jeff Pilson (Dokken) / Backing Vocals
Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot) / Backing Vocals
Claude Schnell (Dio) / Backing Vocals
Neal Schon (Journey) / Backing Vocals
Harry Shearer (in character, and credited as Derek Smalls of Spinal Tap) / Backing Vocals
Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge) / Backing Vocals
Matt Thorr (Rough Cutt) / Backing Vocals
1st solo:
Craig Goldy (Giuffria) / Guitar
Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister) / Guitar
2nd solo:
Vivian Campbell (Dio) / Guitar
Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) / Guitar
3rd solo:
Neal Schon (Journey) / Guitar
George Lynch (Dokken) / Guitar
4th solo:
Yngwie Malmsteen / Guitar
Vivian Campbell (Dio) / Guitar
5th solo:
George Lynch (Dokken) / Guitar
Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot) / Guitar
6th solo:
Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) / Guitar
Buck Dharma (Blue Öyster Cult) / Guitar
Rhythm guitar melody lines:
Dave Murray (Iron Maiden) / Guitar
Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) / Guitar
Jimmy Bain (Dio) / Bass
Vinny Appice (Dio) / Drums
Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot) / Drums
Claude Schnell (Dio) / Keyboards
About this release
PolyGram Records, 26 May 1986
On May 20 and 21, 1985, 40 artists from the hard rock music community gathered at A&M Records Studios to participate in the making of a record called "Stars" as part of a very special project known as Hear'N Aid. The "Stars" single, coupled with the album, a video documentary on the making of the record, and other ancillary products will release money for famine relief efforts in Africa and around the world.
40 artists and hunderds of voluteers donated their time and talent over four months to make Hear'N Aid a reality. "Stars" is a plea for unity in the fight against world hunger.
Thanks to Vim Fuego for the updates