My name is Del Bromham. I formed the band called STRAY while I was at school in 1966. This band project has mainly been my life’s work and although STRAY have gone through many changes over the years, up until the pandemic arrived, the band were performing regularly up until March 2020.
We have released many studio and live albums over the years and I have also released four solo albums. I consider myself to be a songwriter first and I think it is the reason why I formed a band all those years ago in order to perform the songs live. The band originally had a lead singer as I initially had no interest to be the lead vocalist, but when the singer left the band, the remaining members encouraged me to take over the vocals. I am the guitarist as well and although there have been many who have complimented me on my playing, it was never my plan to be known as a guitar player. The guitar and piano were always my tools to compose music. It’s as if being the singer/guitarist came to me partly by accident and partly due to convenience.
I am currently working on the new album by STRAY. Due to the Covid pandemic, our shows and the recording of the album have been interrupted, but we are hoping to get back in the recording studios very soon to complete the album and likewise start touring again. I also hope to record a new solo album and play some solo shows, sometmes just acoustic and sometimes with a full band.
My name is Del Bromham. I formed the band called STRAY while I was in school in 1966. This band project has been mostly my life’s work and although STRAY has gone through many changes over the years, until the pandemic hit, the band was performing. regularly until March 2020.
We have released many studio and live albums over the years and I have also released four solo albums.
I consider myself a songwriter first and I think that’s the reason why I formed a band so many years ago to play the songs live. The band originally had a lead singer as I initially had no interest in being the lead vocalist, but when the lead singer left the band, the remaining members encouraged me to take on vocals. I am also the guitarist and although there have been many who have complimented me on my playing, it was never my plan to be known as a guitarist. The guitar and the piano were always my tools to compose music. It’s like being the singer / guitarist came to me partly by accident and partly by convenience.
I am currently working on the new STRAY album. Due to the Covid pandemic, our shows and the recording of the album have been interrupted, but we hope to return to the recording studios very soon to complete the album and also start touring again. I also hope to record a new solo album and play some solo shows, sometimes just acoustic and sometimes with a full band.
What is your first album bought?
What was your first album bought?
It was a long time ago and I think it was around 1965. Simply titled ‘The First Album’, by The Spencer Davis Group.
It was a long time ago and I think it was around 1965. Simply titled “The First Album” by The Spencer Davis Group.
How and Where?
How and where?
In the UK we used to have cinemas open for children known as ‘Saturday Morning Pictures’. One day they showed a music documentary which was very unusual. The documentary featured ‘Up and coming Beat Groups of the 60’s. The section that really caught my attention was a feature on The Spencer Davis Group featuring the 15-year-old Stevie Winwood. I was totally in aware of his talent and as he was only two years or so older than me, it gave me encouragement to be able to be a young musician. I bought the first album in a record shop in Hammersmith, London. It must have been 1965.
In the UK we used to have open cinemas for children known as ‘Saturday Morning Pictures’. One day they showed a music documentary that was very unusual. The documentary featured “Promising 1960s Rhythm Groups.” The section that really caught my eye was an article on The Spencer Davis Group with 15-year-old Stevie Winwood. I was fully aware of his talent and since he was only two years older than me, it encouraged me to be a young musician. I bought the first album at a record store in Hammersmith, London. It must have been 1965.
What album is your guilty pleasure?
What album is your “guilty pleasure”?
Possibly ‘Scott’ by Scott Walker (1967)
Seguramente “Scott” de Scott Walker
Your last purchase
Your last purchase?
I think it was ‘Whisky’ by Joey Landreth ?
I think it was “Whiskey” by Joey Landreth
Your favourite album to cheer you up?
Your album to cheer you up?
‘The California Album’ by Bobby (Blue) Bland
The California Album de Bobby Bland y
‘Revolver’ by The Beatles
Your album when you are nostalgic?
Your album when you are nostalgic?
‘Autumn 66’ by The Spencer Davis Group
What would sound at your funeral?
What would sound at your funeral?
In my life de The Beatles
Your favourite soundtrack?
Your favorite soundtrack?
The original soundtrack album of the musical ‘West Side Story’.
Where do you listen to the most music?
Where do you listen to music the most?
In my car
In my car
What is the record you have heard the most during the pandemic, or to resist confinement?
What is the record you have heard the most during the pandemic to withstand confinement?
During the pandemic I have been writing and recording new songs for the new STRAY album and my next solo album, so consequently it would have to be my new songs.
From another artist I have been listening to is the new album by Richie Kotzen and Adrian Smith or anything from the Live at The 100 Club live album by Jeff Beck.
During the pandemic I have been writing and recording new songs for the new STRAY album and my next solo album, so they would have to be my new songs.
Another artist I’ve been listening to is Richie Kotzen and Adrian Smith’s new album or anything from Jeff Beck’s Live at The 100 Club album.
10 Albums you would never part with and why?
10 albums you would never part with and why?
Autumn 66 – The Spencer Davis Group
Revolver – The Beatles
The California Album – Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland
Still Bill – Bill Withers
Extension of a man – Donny Hathaway
Live at The 100 Club – Jeff Beck
Ram – Paul McCartney
‘The Black Album’ – Metallica
‘Blues from Laurel Canyon’ – John Mayall
‘Manassas’ – Stephen Stills/Manassas
For all different reasons, quality of the musicianship and songwriting and of course music takes me back to certain times in my life. Pure nostalgia!
The problem here is that I would have to take all my Beatles albums and all of the albums I have made with my band STRAY and my solo albums as well!
For different reasons, the musical quality and songwriting and of course the music take me back to certain moments in my life. Pure nostalgia!
The problem here is that I would have to take all my Beatles albums and all the albums I made with my band STRAY and my solo albums too!
He original STRAY line up when we signed our first recording contract with Transatlantic Records in January 1970. From Left to right Del Bromham Steve Gadd (John Whitehead Transatlantic A&R man) Ritchie Cole and Gary Giles.
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