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Kurt Smith (vocals, drums)
Jess Redmon (guitar, vocals)
Garth Hannum (bass, vocals)
Randy Thompson (keyboards, vocals)
Alpha Centauri was formed in Greeley, Colorado, in 1971 by Redmon, Thompson, and Smith. Hannum, from Wyoming, would join in 1975.
The band performed its "hard driving" rock throughout the American Midwest as headliners but the band did open for artists such as Styx, Uriah Heep, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis.
With a fairly strong US following, the band moved to Canada where they began to write original material. The result was 1977's eponymous debut on Salt Records.
Following the release of the album came more concerts as well as several radio and television appearances including the Canadian TV special 'Alpha Centauri In Concert' in 1978.
The band was then aiming for the UK, but management problems and road burnout led to the band returning to the USA. After appearing on Denver's 'Rock and Roll America', Alpha Centauri continued to try and duplicate their first album success until 1983 when they finally broke up.
The members of the band now live near Greeley, Colorado except for Hannum who lives in Oklahoma. They are active in various musical pursuits and have occasionally reunited.
Except for a brief period when Redmon was working with ex-Guess Who leader Chad Allen, Alpha Centauri remained together for 12 years.
In the '90's a resurgence of sorts occurred following a Derek Oliver review in "International Encyclopedia of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal", where he cited Alpha Centauri as "The world's best undiscovered pomp band". Rock aficionados began scouring the globe for their only album and in 1996 Pacemaker Records re-issued the disc.
Jess Redmon currently fronts the Jess Redmon Band.
with notes from Alvarita Thomas.
Singles
Albums
1977 Alpha Centauri (Salt)
1996 Alpha Centauri [CD re-issue] (Pacemaker)
Video
Compilation Tracks
