| Stretch | |
|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Genres | Blues rock, pop rock |
| Years active | 1974–79, 2007–present |
| Labels | Anchor, Repertoire |
| Associated acts | Fleetwood Mac, Curved Air, Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera, Status Quo |
| Members | |
| Kirby Gregory Elmer Gantry Jim Scadding Jeff Rich |
|
| Past members | |
| Hiroshi Kato Paul Martinez Steve Emery Craig Collinge Jim Russell Nicko McBrain John Wilkinson John Cook |
|
Stretch were a 1970s British rock band that grew from the collaboration between Elmer Gantry (real name Dave Terry) and Kirby (real name Graham Gregory). Gantry was previously the frontman of Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera. Kirby was previously a member of Curved Air.[1]
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The band was put together in 1974 with help from Fleetwood Mac manager Clifford Davis and drummer Mick Fleetwood, to perform as Fleetwood Mac on a US tour because the existing Fleetwood Mac were not in a position to fulfil outstanding contractual obligations.[2] Unfortunately, Fleetwood did not join the tour as planned, and later denied any knowledge or involvement, and part way through the tour it became obvious to audiences that there was no original member of Fleetwood Mac in the band, and the tour collapsed. Bass player Paul Martinez claimed, "Mick Fleetwood pulled out at the last minute claiming not to know who we were!"[3]
Stretch rose from the ashes of this debacle, and soon had a No16 hit single in November 1975 with "Why Did You Do It?",[4] the lyric of which was a direct attack on Mick Fleetwood for his failure to join the band on the ill-fated Fleetwood Mac tour.[5] They followed this up with an album, entitled Elastique. During the recording of this album, bass player Paul Martinez was sacked,[5] and drummer Jim Russell left before the recording of the second album You Can't Beat Your Brain for Entertainment due to musical differences.[5] He was replaced by future Status Quo drummer Jeff Rich. Two more albums were made, but Gantry left before the last album, Forget the Past. Another blow came in 1979 when manager Davis decided to withdraw his financial input,[5] and the band eventually split up.
Stretch reformed in 2007 to coincide with a "Greatest Hits" collection, and toured in support of the Jeff Healey Band.[2]