Their initial line-up included Van McLain on guitar and vocals, Charles Waltz on violin, keyboards and vocals, Bill Guffey on keyboards, Gary West on guitar and vocals, Ron Verlin on bass, and Steve Thomas on drums.

Three different record companies; Atlantic Records, Virgin Records and A&M Records; made offers to sign the band, with Virgin Records prevailing. Virgin, then a small British record label, was looking for a rock group to break into the US market, and Shooting Star became their first American signing.

In May 1979 the band returned to London to record their eponymous debut album with producer Gus Dudgeon of Elton John fame. The album Shooting Star was released in January 1980, and the band embarked on a national tour opening for Robin Trower and Triumph. With their impressive debut the band gained popularity with songs "Last Chance," "Tonight," "You Got What I Need" and "Bring It On." The B-side "Wild In the Streets" was a staple of live show encores although it was not on the original album; the song was eventually released on CD as a bonus track.

With radio success, Shooting Star returned to the studio in 1981 to record Hang on for Your Life with producer Dennis McKay. The album generated hits with "Flesh And Blood," "Breakout," "Hollywood" and "Hang On For Your Life." In support of this record the band toured extensively with ZZ Top, Cheap Trick, Todd Rundgren, Jefferson Starship and Journey. They did the radio shows Rock Line, King Biscuit Flower Hour (KBFH), The Source) and Westwood One. They also began headlining showcase clubs across the United States, setting attendance records as they went.

In 1982 the band began recording their third album, III Wishes, at the legendary studio Caribou Ranch outside Boulder, Colorado. At the helm of this record was Journey producer Kevin Elson.

1983 saw their continued collaboration with Kevin Elson on their fourth album, Burning. This record produced radio hits "Straight Ahead," "Winner" and "Train Rolls On." While touring in support of this record, the band witnessed the departure of bassist Ron Verlin who had become disenchanted with the music industry.

In 1984 bassist Norm Dahlor was recruited to take over for Ron, and the band began to record their fifth album, Silent Scream, with producer Ron Nevison. It was released in 1985 and produced the radio hit, "Summer Sun." After completing this record the band was asked to record two songs for the movie soundtrack Up the Creek. The songs were "Get Ready Boy" and "Take It." Van, Norm and Steve were also the backing band on Ian Hunter's single Great Expectations.

Enigma Records, a metal company that was starting to branch out into more mainstream artists, bought the rights to "The Best Of Shooting Star" and retitled it "Touch Me Tonight: The Best of Shooting Star." In the November 4, 1989 issue of Billboard, the album secured a trivial place in history, becoming the first album to reach that magazine's pop albums chart without being available in a vinyl record format.

In 1990 the band recorded their sixth album, It's Not Over. This album received critical acclaim throughout Europe and helped broaden the Shooting Star audience.

Shooting Star celebrated their 20th year as recording artists in 2000 with the release of Leap of Faith and a fall tour. The band continues to display its resilience and its love of music, while never forgetting this could be your Last Chance!

In 2006, the group released the album Circles with Kevin Chalfant (ex-member of 707 and The Storm) handling the lead vocals.

Original keyboardist Bill Guffey (William Guffey III) died on April 12, 2007. Shortly afterward, vocalist Ronnie Platt joined the band to take over where Kevin Chalfant left off.

Violinist Shane Michaels left the band in June 2008 to concentrate on another of his projects, "Flannigan's Right Hook."

Janet Jameson (Kansas City legendary violinist) stepped in to join the band upon Shane's departure.

The band's current lineup is Steve Thomas (drums), Janet Jameson (violin), Ron Verlin (bass), Van McLain (guitar), Dennis Laffoon (keyboards), and Ronnie Platt (lead vocals).