Stretch

Stretch are a British funk and rock group from London, active from 1974 to 1979. The band forms around the collaboration between vocalist and guitarist Elmer Gantry, also known as Dave Terry, and guitarist Kirby, whose real name is Graham Gregory. Gantry previously fronts Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera, while Kirby previously plays with Curved Air.

Formation and early line-up

The group begins after the collapse of Fleetwood Mac during an American tour in 1974, when manager Clifford Davis keeps control of the name and sends one of his managed bands out to fulfil the remaining dates. That project is later renamed Stretch and remains under Davis's management. The core line-up includes Elmer Gantry on vocals and guitar, Kirby on guitar, Steve Emery on bass, and Jim Russell on drums. The band also includes Paul Martinez on bass, Jeff Rich on drums, and Greg Kirby among its members.

Records and releases

Stretch record for Anchor, with their debut album Elastique produced by Martin Rushent. The album features songs including "Miss Jones", "Miss Daisy", "Snakes Alive", "Write Me A Note", "Tomorrow's Another Day", and "Buzz Fly". Much of the writing comes from Elmer Gantry and Kirby, including "Why Did You Do It?", "Down Home", and "Slip Away". Paul Martinez contributes "Navy Blues".

The band follow Elastique with You Can't Beat Your Brain For Entertainment in 1976 and Life Blood in 1977, both on Anchor. Their final album, Forget The Past, appears on Hot Wax in 1978.

Notable song and line-up changes

"Why Did You Do It" becomes the band's best-known single, reaching number 16 in the UK in November 1975 and spending nine weeks in the charts. Jeff Rich joins the group by the time of You Can't Beat Your Brain For Entertainment and later plays with Status Quo. The albums after the debut do not match the impact of Elastique, and the later line-up uses session players including Nicko McBrain on drums on some recordings.

Later years

Stretch split in 1979 when Clifford Davis withdraws financial support. The band reforms in 2007 for a Greatest Hits release and tours in support of the Jeff Healey Band.

Style and reputation

Stretch are described as a bluesier rock band with a strong boogie and blues foundation, and at their peak they are widely associated with the UK blues-rock scene. Elmer Gantry also records the song "Psychobabble" with the Alan Parsons Project on Eye In The Sky, and his earlier singles with Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera — "Flames", "Mary Jane" and "Volcano" — become collector's items.