STRAY

We're always getting emails from you with your memories of seeing STRAY throughout the years
so we thought it'd be great to share those thoughts with you all (as we wipe the occasional nostalgic tear out of our eyes!)

So... we'll build a time machine...
to see the bygone dreams...

Starting with this ticket sent in by Paul Clarke from Essex,
who was at a STRAY gig in Woolwich in 1977.
He also sent in two flyers HERE and HERE

More memories to follow soon from Paul.

Now here's an extract from an email from Dave Watson in Scotland (pictured here on the right in his Hawkwind tribute-band days). We'd copy/paste the whole email but it's so full of praise that if we printed the full message, promoters might think they can't afford to book us any more - so we're only showing you a bit of it!
But it explains how Dave felt when he first heard a Stray album - and how delighted he was to find the re-issues coming out.

"Time to backtrack: it’s 1978 and someone has lent a few albums (real ones, the vinyl kind) to one of my mates at that time. One of those LPs is a battered copy of an album called ‘Stray Tracks’, which my mate had heard in his friend’s flat, and just had to borrow. A week later, I’m listening in amazement to the contents of a compilation album by a band I’d never heard of up till then! I can’t believe that I’ve somehow ‘missed’ the existence of this band - who sound as accomplished, imaginative, resourceful and good as most of their more famous peers - until now. Of course, one play of ‘All in Your Mind’ was quite enough to hook me right in, and by the end of that compilation, I was sold – my mate had discovered an unbelievably good band, and he was proved right in his rantings to me about how good their music was.

However, I couldn’t find any Stray records in the shops at that time, no matter how hard I looked, and the only Stray music which I had for years afterwards was a tape recording I made of that old battered ‘Stray Tracks’ compilation (which had to be returned to his mate a few days after I first heard it). During the next few years I spent quite a bit of time tracking down the old vinyl albums, which were long out of pressing and had to be hunted down at Record Fayres, but by about 1983 I had a full set of the Stray albums up to 1975. From the cut-away, open-up sleeve of the debut album to the stiff-card-cover of ‘Stand Up and Be Counted’. And what a joy they were.."

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Dave Burton sent us his memories of Stray...

Hi Everyone
I've been meaning to sit down and write this for ages and as I have a bit of spare time on my hands.......
First saw Stray at a "mini festival" at the Kursaal in Southend. Guessing it must have been 1970 or 71. Also on the bill were Sam Apple Pie ( who I remember had one song that contained an acoustic jig which had a few people on their feet) and Paladin.

Stray headlined and I was completely blown away from the first blast of sound. We were stood near the sound/lighting desk and I spent mosyt of my evening supplying matches to the lighting guy. I also seemed to be the only one who wasn't expecting the bomb! I remember there were a lot of disappointed souls that night as the band didn't play an encore having to "head back to London". Still a very memorable night though. Went out and bought Saturday Morning Pictures for one pound and seventy pee. Fantastic... probably my favourite album ever.

We were lucky that there was a venue started up at the Queens Hotel in Westcliff on Sunday evenings. (As mentioned by a few others) Saw some great bands there, Focus, Vinegar Joe, The Quo. Genesis, Fruup, Leo Sayer (yes he WAS good!) Stackridge, Cozy Powell, H.M Kids etc etc. but of course the big attraction was Stray. Never managed to get to talk to the band but tried to help out by offering to help the roadies after gigs. Damn those Laney 4 X 12s were heavy!!

I'd just started work so finances for travel etc weren't great but managed to get to see Stray at Dagenham Roundhouse , (the night the Irish roadie was leaving.... scary guy!) Support were Contraband I think. Must have been around Mudanzas time as I recall Del's guitar strap breaking as he stood up from the piano on the "Gambler" intro and him just managing to grab it before the neck hit the stage.

Also saw the original line up for some great nights at the Wardour St. Marquee. Managed to get a chat with Richie Cole, who was telling us about touring USA with Fred E. King and seemed a nice guy. Remember also seing them there once on Del's birthday. Actually got to speak to my guitar hero and buy him a drink. I think his mind was elsewhere however as he wasn't the chirpy chappy I've since met..... difficult times I suspect.

Most amusing incident at the Marquee was when four embarassed band members took to the stage sans equipment to say their van had broken down so the gig was cancelled.... how we laughed.

I did get along to Hammersmith to see the boys with Kiss but they seemed to have got the billing the wrong way round and Kiss were headlining.

The last time I saw the original (well, with Pete Dyer) lineup was when they played the first date promoting Move It at Southend Technical College. I suppose that the Gadd vocal was always going to be missed but it was still a dynamic show. Funniest moment of the evening was when the band came back for an encore and there were a couple of "Doris's" (Ladies who would be more at home in one of those new fangled 'disco-teques' ) doing the bump to Suicide. How we hurled abuse. Now in a bizarre twist it seems that one of those ladies was very probably my partner Valerie. Strange eh?

S o that must have been mid seventies and despite my efforts to find out what the band were up to they just seemed to fade away. I even managed to miss the reunion in the 80s, dates with Baron Rojo and the live recording at the Marquee, dammit.

So there I was drifting into pipe and slipper territory when some friends of mine, John and Jacqui moved home just a few doors away from the legendary Nige and Lesley. Now if you don't know Nigey you haven't lived! Go to a Stray gig in Southend..... he'll be there.

Anyways, J and J told me he was going to see a band called Stray at Pam's Bar in Brentwood as Nige knew the band and he seemed to remember I'd followed them years ago. I was a little apprehensive as I really didn't know what to expect but blow me down if it wasn't Mr. Bromham with that Firebird and his playing was even better!! What a night AND it was my Birthday (1996) Got to meet the man himself after the gig and had photos taken, got autographs etc. I had the biggest grin on my face for about a month.

So we followed the band about whenever we could, initially with the Dusty and Phil line-up but soon after with John and Paul. Had some memorable nights on the Mountain and Uriah Heep and Nazareth tours and thoroughly enjoyed events such as Togfest and the Rocking beerfest thingy.

I think the current line up is probably the tightest in years. I know that Del and Stu have known each other for ages but Karl is an amazing drummer. I'm usually more into the guitar side of things but I was watching him at the Borderline and he is jaw droppingly good. I gotta get that DVD!!

I have rambled far too long but Stray really are the most entertaining live band I have ever seen. I think what I've always liked is (whatever the line up) they seem to be enjoying themselves. In addition to this (and I know this has been echoed elsewhere) Del is one of the nicest blokes you could ever meet and always takes time to say hello and thank you for turning up. If you get the chance to see them don't miss it!!

Dave Burton

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Maria North writes...
Hi Stray!
You were the first live band I ever saw! I was 13... I think it was New Year's Eve, and if I am right it would have been 1972, but if I am wrong and it was not New Years Eve then it was late 1972 or some time during the first half of 1973.
The venue was the Queens Hotel in Westcliff-on-Sea, near Southend-on-Sea in Essex. I was 13, and out with my friend Karen who was 2 or 3 years older than me, a big difference at that age, she was a bad influence and introduced me
to sex, drugs, and STRAY!
My introduction to live gigs was brilliant, and I'm sure I saw you there again at a later date. I thought you were all gorgeous, and I remember feeling so grown up being at my first concert. I'd never heard anything like Stray before, (my knowledge of music then was from my parents and consisted of Mrs Mills & Russ Conway, amongst others). You surely helped forge my love of music, and especially live music. I still have my original vinyl copy of Mudanzus (in the loft).
I've never forgotten my first concert, and one night after a few drinks I entered STRAY into my search engine, just to see what came up. I was amazed to find you still "at it" and immediately went onto play.com to buy Mudanzus on CD. The first time I played it, it sent a shiver down my spine as I hadn't heard it for at least 25 years or more! It was great to hear it again, and I played it over and over, it's such a good album....
Anyway, all the very best to you, so glad you're still going, maybe I'll get to one of your concerts one day. That really would be a blast from the past for me! If anyone else contacts you regarding your gigs in Westcliff please let me know more details if possible.
Bye.
Maria North

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Andy Gilson of Wolverhampton wrote in thusly...
It’s not that I am an anorak hoarder – it’s just that I keep things – one of which is an old contract from when I (and my friend Linda) used to run “Bubble” in Wolverhampton. Bubble had some superb bands, happily some of whom are still playing – including Stray of course. I agree with all you say about tribute bands – there is not much point, well perhaps as much point as going to arena type venues where you need binoculars or are happy to watch the big tele screens all night….
Linda and I last saw you with the Groundhogs in Bilston last year – excellent show – really hope you get back up this way soon. Bought the double CD compilation to replace my somewhat worn set of Stray vinyl, nice to get some decent quality again. Anyway, hope you like the contract (if you can accept the same fee again, I dare say we can have a collection!).

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Dave Marriott of British Columbia in Canada says...
I still have the first LP I ever owned... a present from my big brother..."Stray" by Stray.. .fold out cover, record as thick as your wrist... scratches and pops... and now replaced by CD... I'll never get rid of it... fantastic stuff... totally agree with the guitar hero comment about Del, one of the lost legends... never did see the group live though... one day, some day!

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Michael Boyle writes in ....
Hello all you Stray fans. I first saw the Stray in 1972. The gig was advertised as STRAY/STATUS QUO double header with Snake Eye as support - entrance fee 75p. Stray came on before Quo and they were just quite brilliant - the flashing black and white lights etc etc, I knew there and then that this was MY band, For the record Quo in those days were great as it was them I came to see but my allegiance changed that night.
36 years later I am still as fanatical about the band as I always have been,my 18 year old son is a fan and so are most of my friends.
I have seen Stray at a number of venues over the years, great memories of St Albans City Hall, The Marquee Club, Skindles Club, in more recent years Pam's Bar, the unforgettable Borderline show last year, some cracker's at the Walthamstow Standard thrown in make for myself Stray the best live band I have had the good fortune to see on some 200 plus occasions over the years.
The albums are great, in particular the Suicide,,Saturday Morning Pictures,,Mudanzas and 10 - the music has aged very very well, listen to 1970's Black Sabbath, Zeppelin etc etc it has not stood the test of time half as well as Stray. Reason? In my view the songs are not as good as Stray's. Until the next gig bye for now.
Michael Boyle

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And this, from Brian Hastings of Argyll in Scotland...
I first came across Stray in 1975 when I bought a cassette (remember them?) in Edinburgh ‘cos I liked the cover. Well that album was Saturday Morning Pictures and I was hooked.
When I got back to my home town my first trip was to my local record shop to find more, but nothing on the shelves. The owner hadn’t heard of Stray, but kindly searched Transatlantic to find what was available.
What soon followed was Suicide, Mudanzas, Move It, Stray, Tracks and Stand up and be Counted.
Then came a trip to the old Apollo in Glasgow to see Rush (I think) and who were the support – yes it was Del and the gang. I have a feeling that Budgie were on the same bill. For me Stray stole the show.
I then bought new albums as they came available, but never got to see the band again – until…
Got tickets to see one of my all time axe heroes, Leslie West at the Renfrew Ferry in Glasgow and who turned up as the support – correct!!
Del got a bit of stick over his cowboy hat – until he started playing. Time Machine was excellent on the night.
I stopped listening to that old cassette after that ‘cos I bought Saturday Morning Pictures on CD at the gig. That rekindled my interest and I got more albums.
One question I have though. The stunning Georgia appears on Tracks, but where did it originate from? I’ve always wondered. Any chance of a repeat appearance in Glasgow?

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Ian Ellis sent us this ticket, and writes thusly....

You'll notice it's ticket #5 (I must have been keen!) Memories of that night? I clearly recall you were using HH amplification - it glowed green in the dark. Steve used an acoustic with the sound hole filled-in and a pick up in its place - that was the first time I'd ever seen that done with an acoustic - strange what you remember from so long ago... he also stated you'd just returned from a US tour and you were all knackered (but that wasn't noticeable nor did it detract from an excellent performance that night). Wish I had a set list as well as a ticket as a memento - 50p to get in!?! Those were the days.

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Robert Henery remembers....
I was fortunate many years ago to see you live in Cleveland Ohio, USA. Stray was touring in support of "Stand Up and Be Counted". Since then I have searched far and wide for any of your albums and CDs I could find. To this day 30 years later, there is rarely a week goes by that a Stray album or CD isn't played in my home.
And Del replies....
I remember the Cleveland gigs! The club was The Smiling Dog. We played there about 4 or 5 nights - on the first night there were only about 12 people there and I was nominated to phone Joe Pagano (Mafia boss and showbiz whatever!) and tell him the gig was no good and we didn't want to do it. Long story, but basically he told me that if it was good enough for Frankie Sinatra then it was good enough for Stray. As it turned out over the next few days more people came. That was because the Italian connection got a bit more involved!

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And this, from Steve Riches...
My memories are of seeing Stray at the manor Ballrooms in Ipswich in 1973/4. I had become aware of the band through the playing of 'All In Your Mind' at a church hall disco I attended with friends on Hythe Hill in Colchester.
About 6 of us travelled to Ipswich that night and some of the things I remember were very typical of the time - women dancing round their handbags on the floor for instance. I went one better - I put my coat on the floor and then proceeded to dance on top of it (don't ask me why).
Despite having not seen the band since, it remains clear in my mind for two reasons, firstly the music, the explosions and the raw energy they generated and secondly, getting a lift in the back of the band's van after the gig to Colchester after the father who was supposed to be driving us back had too much to drink and couldn't pick us up!

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Janet also gets caught up in a wave of nostalgia....
Hi, you were the first live band that I saw, in the Summer of 1972 at the Harrow Inn pub in Abbey Wood SE London, with a group of mates, and a great time was had by all as I recall!
Saw you again a few times after at Thames Poly Woolwich, the Black Prince Bexley and a few other venues that I can't remember (an age thing!) then in 1975 marriage & family put a stop to all that, but I've never forgotten how good you were then (and still are) and have now got a few albums including my favourite Saturday Morning Pictures on CD which still sounds as exciting today as it did then.
Thanks for the happy memories guys............. Janet

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And from Paul Trew...
Hi Stray fans, Stray should have been the first band I ever saw except my old man wouldn’t give me 60 rotten pence to go to the Farnborough Tech where Stray performed Saturday Morning Pictures. Me mates went and proclaimed Stray as the best thing since sliced bread.I never forgave me dad .
Still since then I have watched them scores of times . It's always a pleasure to turn up at a festival and see Stray on the bill. I saw Del and the lads at Guilfest a couple of years ago and we had a beer with Del who signed our Stray Tray which we still have. I was in a band in the 70s who would always play Come On Over and it was always amazing to see how many bands would have a Stray number in their set.
I too mourned Steve Gadd's leaving as I still think Stray with him and Del could have been huge, however we still get to see them in small places so that’s the bonus. One day though Del maybe we could have a reunion even if for one gig only. Stray are part of my life and I have so many good memories and they still surprise me.
One thing I haven't got is any film footage. Anybody help with this?

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Andrew Fulcher sent us this ....
I have many fond memories of Stray gigs. I live in Plymouth and the band played here regularly in the early 1970s.
The first time I saw Stray was actually on the telly! This was 'Disco 2', (the forerunner of 'Old Grey Whistle Test'), for two weeks in succession, I think it was 'Jericho' one week and then 'Suicide' the next, clearly from the same studio session. Anyway Stray played Plymouth the very next week in the famous 'Van Dyke Club' - they were brilliant and I've been a fan ever since.
A couple of things I remember in particular, Phil Griggs the roadie used to take over the drum kit from Ritchie Cole for the encores. This is the only time you could see Ritchie, as the rest of the gig he was like a cross between Keith Moon and 'Animal' from the muppets.
Also (and I bet Del remembers this), at one Van Dyke gig a couple of girls got up from the audience seated on the floor (yes the floorboard floor), took off their tee shirts and danced topless, one of them looked like a relation of Erica Rowe, even Del had a double take, Gary Giles just grinned and looked up at the ceiling. I couldn't believe it either, remember this was circa 1971 and I was only 17. The Van Dyke was a very small place, and when the Stray fireworks went off the place filled with smoke and strobe lights, brilliant effect.
I'm sure more stuff will come back to me, but that's it for now.
(Del any chance of a bit of mercy and playing somewhere in my general direction? We intend to make a trip in 2007 to catch a gig anyway and make a weekend of it, but Bristol, Swindon or similar wouldn't half help).

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And from Pete Adams in the West Midlands...
Well where do I start... I have always been a big Stray fan, having bought Saturday Morning Pictures in '73 after a recommendation from a school friend. Needless to say I was hooked straight away and continued with Move It and subsequent albums. During 1977 at a party at which I was deejaying I had a load of albums stolen, including all my Stray. Over the years I revisited my old albums on many occasions and in particular missed my Stray. I tried to find them over the years but to no avail, even visiting rare record shops. Fast forward to last Friday when I pick up Classic Rock magazine and find Move It on there! I immediately put the cd on in the car and was transported back to my bedroom in 1973! The next day I google "Stray" to find all your albums have been re-released and not only that you are on bloody tour!!! Absolutely amazing! I have now ordered off Amazon, Saturday Morning Pictures, which I should get tomorrow and have a good old reminisce.

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And this, from Steve Bottrill...
I have great memories of seeing Stray, The first time was after seeing Grand Funk Railroad, Humble Pie and Head Hands & Feet at Hyde Park - then hitching to Stevenage to see Stray. What an amazing gig! The lights and explosions and the acid we were on was fantastic. What I always liked about their music was the sheer power and energy of the band in full flight - the tightness was amazing. From then on I would turn people on to the band at every opportunity. A group of us would follow them anywhere we could in the Midlands. I once attended 13 gigs in a row, and being an ex-trainspotter I knew what trains you could catch with no ticket collector . Once at Aston University the poxy students on the door wouldn’t let us in, saying it was students only. As we turned away dejectedly we met the band coming in. When I explained the problem to Del he said "Here, carry that" giving me his guitar case - and with my mates all carrying various bits and pieces we not only got in, but got in for free! Thanx Del!

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Keith Redmayne remembers thusly....
First live band for me was Stray at the Mecca in Sunderland. Steve Gadd swinging the mike stand around, dustbin explosions going off and fantastic strobe lightning. I can honestly say I must have seen em 20/30 times. I bootleg recorded them on an old cassette machine in Newcastle. Next time I saw them I managed to tell Del about this so he told me to send the tape to him for a listen. Back came the tape with a letter from Del saying the recording was crap but thanks anyway, but they were playing Newcastle in a few weeks and if I brought this letter and showed the doorman they would let us in free. Yes they did and we got a lift halfway home after helping the roadies with the gear. Proper Job!
Regards
Keith

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And from Hazel in Milton Keynes...
Hi, I'm Hazel Pritchard and although I'm only 14 I have been a fan of Stray since as long as I can remember. I first heard Stray when my dad played it to me in the car one time and I was amazed. In fact Stray were the reason that I got into playing guitar. My dad saw Stray when they performed a very long time ago and has always been telling me how good they are live. So when I saw that they were playing in Milton Keynes I was so excited! The band live were so fantastic and quite frankly the best band I have ever seen. also, it's only when you try to play some of the songs that you realise how talented Del Bromham is! So far I have introduced Stray to many of my friends at school and they have all really enjoyed the songs. I really hope that Stray will return to Milton Keynes so that I will have another chance to see them!!!
Regards,
Hazel

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From Brian Lloyd...
One of the best gigs I ever had the pleasure of seeing was Stray at the rainbow theatre one Saturday morning when you released Saturday Morning Pictures. We paid a £1.00 to get in and had to sit through an hour of Batman movies and cartoons with loads of little kids sitting alongside all us "hairies", but when the band came on the wait was definitely worth it. I can still still picture the look on the kids' faces as you went through the set list - especially the bomb explosion at the end!! The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end for the whole performance. It was absolutely fantastic and took my music appreciation into another dimension.
Thanks for some outstanding memories.

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Hello all in Cyberstray land. This is Karl the drummer calling.

Just having a mooch around on e-bay and found this for sale.

The freaky thing is this poster is from the exact day I was born (March 3rd 1977). Sorry if that makes a few people feel a bit old!

Well that is my "Time Machine" memory - even though my memory of the gig is not all that good , as I was taking my first look at the world whilst Del and the boys were out gigging with Rush, another of my favourite bands!

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John Purnell writes...
We used to visit a pub in Bexley, Kent next to the A2 motorway around 1973. Bands used to play there on Sunday evenings, and the DJ there played LP tracks,"All In Your Mind" being the track that got us into Stray! Anyway Stray finally played there, the stage got moved to the end of the hall, there was such a buzz before the event, and the place was packed solid! I missed that show but finally saw them play at the Thames Poly Woolwich (twice),and at Greenwich town hall supporting Hudson Ford (ex Strawbs band members).Things I remember were "All In Your Mind" was always played as an encore, and the band used to use strobe lighting. On a personal note I was saddened to see the depature of Steve Gadd, and for me the following albums after he had gone, musically had been dissapointing - but that is just my own opinion.On a positive note, I turned lots of friends into Stray, and remember that Radio 1 in session concert being played on a Saturday evening back in 1974. I remember taping it! Were any of the band's gigs ever filmed back in the seventies, and if so has anyone got any info on it?

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And this, from Chris Asher...
I went to see Stray quite a few times. Notably at a small venue in Watford called the Hydrospace, which in reality was a small church hall and also at Watford Tech. I saw quite a few bands at Hydrospace including an early version of Genesis.
Towards the end of the gig at Watford Tech, the Caretaker came out on stage and started to pull out jack plugs from amplifiers and various other electrical wires. He was lucky that he didn’t electrocute himself. I never did get to the bottom of why this happened but I assume that the band had played overtime. Overtime for the caretaker was undertime for the fans.
Happy days!

Click on this picture to see it writ large

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And in response to the message above, Jim Davis writes....

Hi,
I don't remember a venue in Watford called the Hydrospace, but I do remember Stray placing the Kingham Hall.
It was my favourite of all the venues in the area because it was so small and because the wooden floor used to bounce quite a lot. (Well it was almost my favourite - Wishbone Ash appeared at a small place just outside St.Albans called the Pioneer Club that was just one of the best concerts I ever went to - it put them fourth on my all-time 'live' list just behind Cream, Taste and Jeff Beck).
The only problem with the Kingham Hall was that no booze was allowed in - fortunately it was usually possible to get the girls to smuggle a few bottles in under their long skirts.
Jim

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From Gary Herbert in Colchester...
Well firstly what a turn up to see a message on the Time Machine from Steven Riches who I knew 35 years ago and haven’t seen since. I too first heard Stray at the disco on Hythe Hill as Terry Youngs and Roy Barker played “All In Your Mind” every week without fail. By the way Steven if you read this I lived in Winchester Rd when you were in Myrtle Grove.
The first time I saw Stray was at an outside gig on the Middlewick Ranges in Colchester it must have been around 1972 , Mott The Hoople also played. Then was a fantastic gig at Woods Leisure Centre in Colchester in about 73/74 (still with Steve Gadd) that show was excellent all the explosions and mostly songs from Mudanzas. Over the years I must have seen Stray more than 50 times with memories of the Roundhouse / Jesus on stage with the band always in my mind. Incidentally I was also at the St Albans gig with Budgie which jogged a few memories on the guestbook page. Two things are important about Stray, firstly, although there has been line up changes the music remained strong,”10” is an example of that being one of the best albums to date. Secondly and more important Del Bromham is an absolute gentleman who always has time to speak with friends of the band no matter what’s happening. That's why the support lives on and will continue to do so. Stray are truly a people's band.

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From David Wielachowski in Edinburgh (formerly of East Acton)
Ttwo little stories of my time following the world's best rock band, Firstly is the greatest night my mate Cliff and me had at the Marquee club in Wardour St, after yet another great set by the band. Imagine my great surprise to be invited backstage for a wee chat with the band, absolutely outstanding, although Imust admit I was a little bit worse for wear. It is something that has stayed with me all this time ( in fact to my embarassment I do recall sitting on Mr Gary Giles' guitar stand) but I was a skinny teenager at the time so I am sure I didnt bend it too much. The other story I want to tell is after another gig, this time at the Toby Jug in Tamworth Broadway, the band finished just a little bit late this night due to the fans' cries for more, so on leaving the gig imagine to me and my mate's horror to see the last stage coach for East Acton pulling out of Dodge City with Shane at the reins. To make things worse it was the dead of winter, about minus 10 degrees and one hell of a long walk home. After about 3 hours walking and freezing we did finally reach home, ears still ringing, hard at the time but well worth it. Thanks for the great music, keep it coming, would love to see you live again - any chance of coming to Edinburgh on your next tour?

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From Doug at Bexhill
I first saw Stray on the 27 October 1969, what a memory, at the Star Hotel in Croydon. I went to see Blossom Toes, but they didn't appear and Stray filled in. From that day on I was hooked. I must have seen them 60 times, following them around South London. The Greyhound, Hobbit's Garden Wimbledon, The Marque, Fairfield Halls, The Castle Tooting, I remember one night here their gear kept breaking down and they appeared free of charge the next week.
I had several badges saying I am a Stray, and bought the cream and red T shirt. I have still got the first five vinyl album, and have recently Downloaded Time Machine from the Borderline gig. This was the first time I have seen them for thirty years. What I would give to see them live again on the south coast somewhere.
Thanks Del and the boys for all the pleasure you have given me over the years.

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Michelle Lee writes...
Hi! Stray really helped make my teenage years in the 70s special, mad and soo bad. I saw them them quite a few times in Southend on Sea, Essex. They were my favourite band and I remember my friends and I drooling over Steve Gadd, his jeans were sooo tight. Especially loved 'All In Your Mind' . Noticed that they recently played at Club Riga in Westcliff. Hope they come back soon, because I will definitely be going to see them.

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Pram from Nottingham says...
My fond memory is of STRAY playing at The Greyhound hotel in Croydon, Surrey opposite Fairfield Hall on a Sunday evening either in 1973 or 1974. I saw them a few times - they were a very exciting band to watch. Thank you.

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Tony puts it in a nutshell...
Never forget a double bill with Status Quo at Mile End, must have been around 1974, and Stray were the dogs wotsits.
Regards, Tony

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And to prove that even rose-tinted glasses sometimes need the occasional polish, this email came in from Slim, who says...

We have all been to great Stray gigs, in my case it's probably over a 100 if I include The Killer Bees. I was even at the The White Lion in Putney when The Del Bromham Band Played there. So I thought I'd recall one that wasn't so great, (not Stray's fault I hasten to add). The gig was in Woolwich a Stray stronghold where they did many fab gigs at the Poly.

There was another college in Woolwich, The college of further education and the Student's Union decided to start putting on gigs. There was nowhere big enough on the campus so they booked the Town Hall, capacity about 400 I guess. To make sure it would be a success ( I assume), they booked Stray. I was a student at the college and even I didn't know it was happening until the day before when I noticed a handdrawn A4 poster on the S.U door. This was back in the days before PCs and websites, about '74 or '75. I checked and sure enough the gig was on. I only noticed one other poster which was in the refectory. It didn't bode well, hardly anyone knew it was on.

Only about 20 or 30 punters were at the gig and to cap it all there was an electrician's strike and only electricians were allowed to turn the house lights on and off so the whole gig was played with the house lights full on. Stray played but unsurprisingly the magic was missing that night. I had a brief chat with Richie Cole at the bar, he was not a happy rock star " Fu**ing idiots" may have been grunted. Hardly worth putting the snakeskin boots and leather strides on I thought but reckoned it best not to say.

On the Monday morning there was a notice on the S.U. door berating the students for not supporting and that they wouldn't be putting any more gigs on. I gave the organisers my thoughts on the mismanagement of the promotion but they fell on deaf ears and no more gigs happened while I was at the college.

Speaking of the Killer Bees I moved to Northampton in about '92 and kept meaning to check out a band who had a cool name. They often played at The Old House At Home, which was just a short walk from home but I could never be arsed to see them. Eventually I got round to it. As I entered I could hear the band playing Percy The Pimp, bloody hell I thought this is the first time I've heard a band covering a Stray song and they're making a decent job of it. The balding (sorry Del) guitarist even looks and sounds a lot like Del Bromham. Then I noticed the Axe he was playing and it all clicked into place. Now that was a magic gig!

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There are lots more memories on the ARCHIVE page

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