Starcastle

They came from Illinois and made four albums for Epic but their lead singer used to be in REO Speedwagon.  Terry Luttrell was the barrelhouse screamer on that self titled album and then left soon after.  In the meantime hooking with some like minded individuals that had a deep love of Yes and progressive rock at that time, a bit of a Kansas to go with as well.

The first album was recorded in the great rock and roll mecca that is known as Pekin Illinois and the self titled album remains the only in print on the Epic label. The three others were reissued via Renaissance. Critics didn't get them and wrote them off as Yes clones and Luttrell does sound like a more mild mannered Jon Anderson as the first album gave them a FM hit with Lady Of The Lake.

The next two albums Starcastle worked with Roy Thomas Baker on the fine sounding Fountains Of Light with another FM hit with Fountains which adds elements of Queen and Styx to the mix.  This is probably their most prog rock soundish.  Citadel shortens the songs a bit there's more of a pop sound, although it still sounds prog rock but I like this record the best, especially on Can't Think Twice, Evening Wind and Could This Be Love.  While Epic was winning to cut them some slack and let them chase that prog rock dream, the next and final effort Real To Reel had them working with Jeffrey Lesser who is best known for producing Head East and Real To Reel sounds more like an Head East album rather than Starcastle.  Some of the songs feel like demos or half attempts for the radio and while it's a interesting listen it's not a prog rock album.  The last two songs The Stars Are Out Tonight and When The Sun Shines At Midnight (which makes them sound like Lake, the German band) are the closest thing to the sound of the previous albums.  However the band doesn't mention that album on their website.  And of course the album cover of Real To Reel is horrendous.

Still, Starcastle may have not enjoyed the big sales of Kansas or as remembered as well as Yes, they made great albums in the prog rock tradition.   One of the bands that I didn't get into till later in my years.  Worth looking for if you can find their albums.

Albums

Starcastle (Epic 1976) 
Fountains Of Light (Epic 1977)
Citadel (Epic 1978)
Real To Real (Epic 1979)