New solo album shows PRiSM's Al Harlow is more than just a Spaceship Superstar

Rock band PRiSM has prided itself on being in it for the long haul, having mademusic for more than 40 years.

Its most enduring hit, 1977's Spaceship Superstar, is aStar Wars-influenced songused as the wake-up song for the crew aboard the final mission of the Space Shuttle Discovery.

GuitaristAl Harlow whojoined PRiSM theyear followingthe song's release says he continues to be surprised by its enduring success along withthe band's other hits.

"It's odd to think that you've gone into the history books," he said. "Sometimes when I'm shopping at a supermarket late at night, I'll hear one of our songscoming from the music system and I'll say,'Gee, thatsounds familiar. Oh, that's me.' "

Harlow is not one to rest on the band's laurels. He continues to make musicand his newsolo album,Al Harlow: NOW, was released Monday. So what is the source of his longevity?

"I call it the too-dumb-to-quit ethos," he joked. "If you stick to that, you'll just keep on doing it."

PRiSM has proven a launching pad for other successful musical careers.

Drummer Jim Vallance, who wrote Spaceship Superstar,formed a successful songwriting partnership with Bryan Adams. He alsopenned songs for acts like Aerosmith, Heart, andRoger Daltrey.

Bruce Fairbairnproduced the band's early work and went on to produce hit albums for the likes ofAC/DC, Bon Jovi and Aerosmith.

Harlow wrote or co-wroteeight of 10 tracks on his new album. The album's final track, Way of the World,was co-written by Adams and Vallance, whom he describes as "a prince of a man."

Harlow had been performing with PRiSM until the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last spring and summer, the bandperformed a few outdoor dates before COVID-19 restrictions returned. He'shoping to get back on the road soon.

Harlow said he's seen the crowds at his shows evolveover the years. When he meets with fans, he seesthat fandom has passed on from one generation to the next.

"I began to hear, 'You know, my older brother and sisterput me on to your records," he said. "Then it became 'My momand dad were big fans of you.'So I'm waiting for, 'My grandma and my grandpa told me all about you.'"

In an era where countless musical styles and genres areavailable onstreaming services, Harlow's approach on thenew album was toplay to his strengths and makewhat he calls "straight-ahead rock album."

"I say anything goes,so let's just do what we do, and do what we do best," he said.

More information about Al Harlow: NOWcan be found at Harlow's website.