| Stray Dog | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Texas and London |
| Genres | Blues rock |
| Years active | 1973–1975 |
| Labels | Manticore Records |
| Associated acts | Emerson, Lake & Palmer |
| Members | |
| W. G. Snuffy Walden Les Sampson Alan Roberts Tim Dulaine Luis Cabaza |
|
Stray Dog were a blues-based hard rock band of the early 1970s. They recorded two albums before disbanding around 1975.
Contents |
They originally formed in Texas under the name of Aphrodite, from there they moved to Denver, Colorado, they became very popular with the audience's in Denver. At this stage they were introduced to Road Manager a former Road Manager for Emerson, Lake & Palmer.Neville Chesters convinced the Band to go to London where he, with a friend and also a former Tour Manager Lorenzio Mazzio, Introduced Snuffy Walden to Greg Lake, who, subsequently signed them to the ELP's label, Manticore Records. At this stage Drummer was replaced by Drummer. Lake produced three tracks on the 1973 debut self titled album, Stray Dog, with the band producing the remainder.
In March 1973, the British music magazine, NME, reported that Stray Dog were to support ELP on their world tour, which was due to commence in Germany at the end of that month.[1]
Stray Dog's follow-up, While You're Down There (1974), was co-produced by Austin Godsey and the band, which featured new members Tim Dulaine on second guitar and vocals, and keyboardist Luis Cabaza. The additions of Dulaine and Cabaza radically changed the band's sound from blues-based power trio to a more subdued and commercial AOR rock sound. Much of the material on While You're Down There was written and sung by Dulaine, with founder Walden's contributions being reduced. Only two tracks, "I Would" and the instrumental "Worldwinds", retained a sound and stylistic approach reminiscent of their debut.
Sampson also played previously in another power trio, ROAD, with Noel Redding, and American guitarist Rod Richards. They produced one self-titled 1972 album on the Rare Earth label. After the demise of Stray Dog, Walden went on to write and produce the theme songs for several popular American television programs.
Guest appearances