(c’79-’81) Brian Viner (lead guitar), Chris Wilson (rhythm guitar), Bob Heard (drums), Steve Lewington (bass) and Terry “Scully” Sullivan (vocals).

Dead or Alive were a promising local band, even signing a publishing deal, but when Sullivan – who previously been in cabaret band Sweet Life, and fronted Monsoon – joined the band, and Viner replaced Stuart Huntingford, and Bob Heard took the drummers stool from Peter Fielder in late ’79 the band changed their name to Polaris.

10 May 1980: Polaris played Agincourt, Camberley

Manager Paul Dunford secured the band their debut appearance at The Tumbledown Dick, Farnborough on 4 February ’80, getting them a mention on Radio 210 from Bob Harris who witnessed the performance. They were also introduced to the Agincourt, Camberley crowd by whispering Bob, when he hosted ‘Rock Comes to Camberley’ for Radio 210 on 10 May ’80. They are also known to have recorded tracks at Chestnut Studios, Churt. Ken Staddon replaced Sullivan in late ’80, just before the band were scheduled to play Princes Hall, Aldershot; supported by The Mode, on 4 November that year. The band also appeared at The Cambridge Hotel, Camberley; Fleet Country Club, Fleet; The Tumbledown Dick, Farnborough; and as a support act for Splodgenessabounds at the Technical College, Farnborough.

Polaris came to an end when Viner, Heard and Lewington got together with Clifford Turner to form Gem-A-Ten.

When Steve Brookes left The Jam, Viner was one of the guitarists auditioned at The Red House, Woking. Wilson now lives in Suffolk. Sullivan has unfortunately passed. Staddon would reappear in Tried and Tested.

Gallery:

Pop Scene, 1 Feb 1980 clipping. Image courtesy of Lisa Heard.
Pop Scene, 8 Feb 1980 clipping. Image courtesy of Lisa Heard.
David Reading’s Pop Scene column from Aldershot News, 31 October ’80 has The Mode supporting Polaris at the Princes Hall, Aldershot on 4 November.