Crossword Genius

Rock band with a real star (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aldebaran

'star' is the definition.
(Aldebaran is an example)

'rock band with a real' is the wordplay.
'rock' indicates an anagram (the solver must 'rock' the letters around).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a'+'real'='areal'
'band' put after 'areal' is 'arealband'.
'arealband' anagrammed gives 'ALDEBARAN'.

(Other definitions for aldebaran that I've seen before include "Dear Laban (anag) - star in Taurus" , "Red giant in Taurus" , "big star" , "Taurus's leading star" , "Highlight" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app