The Stray

Originating from London, England, Stray built an extensive discography across the years while sidestepping the mainstream visibility achieved by acts such as Cream, Thin Lizzy, and Mountain. The hard rock, prog, and R&B ensemble came together in 1966 with Del Bromham and Steve Gadd both contributing vocals and guitar, Gary Giles handling bass, and Ritchie Cole on drums. After signing with Transatlantic Records, the group delivered its self-titled debut album in 1970. During the 1970s the band circled the edges of wider recognition, issuing nine further albums and bringing in Charlie Kray—brother of the notorious Kray twins—as manager. Just before Houdini appeared in 1975, Steve Gadd exited and Peter Dyer joined, bringing renewed vitality to the financially strained outfit, although its days were numbered. The final release, the ambitious Hearts of Fire, surfaced in 1976 on the Pye label, after which the musicians scattered into separate projects. In 1997 Del Bromham reassembled Stray as a three-piece featuring Dusty Miller and Phil McKee, operating under the name Del Bromham's Stray and issuing the live album Alive and Giggin' on Mystic Records. Castle followed with the expansive 35-track Anthology: 1970-1977 in 2003. The bulk of the band’s earlier catalog remains unavailable.