Rock and Roll Survivor

by Del Bromham

Rock And Roll Survivor charts all the ups and downs of Del Bromham — guitarist, singer and songwriter for the rock band Stray. Del’s story takes you back on his ‘Time Machine’ to share recollections of his life. Born, and growing up in the 1950s. Becoming a teenager in London during the ‘swinging 60s’. Forming his first band and learning his musical apprenticeship playing the clubs at the age of fourteen years in his brothers group.
Constantly on tour with Stray he recalls tales of Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy Kilmister and touring with Kiss and Rush to name but a few. Meeting the Mafia Boss Joe Pagano. His associations with Wilf Pine and Charles Kray (elder brother of the infamous Kray twins) at the offices of the equally infamous Don Arden, along with Arden’s daughter Sharon (who became Osbourne). Charting the ups and many downs of being a musician over fifty years in the music business.

With forewords by life-long Stray fans, The Damned’s Captain Sensible and Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris, this is a true rollercoaster ride.

405 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2023

Reviews

[Peter Bayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title says it all. The ups and downs of a life lived around the defining things in that life: the music and that first, precious band. In Del's case, Stray.
It's a rock music name-dropper's delight, as well, as Del's career takes him sometimes deliberately and often accidentally into the path of music's finest.
I'm lucky enough to have seen the man perform - well - recently, to chat with him and to have him sign my copy of this book.
It gets a bit hard to read sometimes because of the erratic timeline and a few copyediting errors (I'm a writer, so I notice), but all of a candid life story of a dedicated musician, on and off the road, is there.
Rock and Roll Survivor, indeed. Long may he run.

[Ray Smillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will be honest in stating that, prior to buying this, I had never heard of Del Bromham nor Stray, so I went into the book with an open and inquisitive mind. Glad that I did. Not only was his story very interesting, it was also a life lived and still being lived. Del hasn't always had a smooth ride but he has survived. Whilst reading it, I bought the Stray compilation Time Machine (which arrived today) and looking forward to listening to it. On a final note, I appreciate that, like all good bands, seeing them live is that best way to appreciate them, every time.

[David Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read charting ups and downs of Del’s career and what a life well lived. Quite emotional- what could have been! Good to chart his turbulent times on the road and insight into the cut-throat music business. Remember the good old days at Weeley Festival and Nags Head, Wollaston . Good to see the Band at The Stables recently and see the spark is still there. Back to the book / a well written, nostalgic trip charting the memories of one of the best! Long May he continue.

[Mark Sutcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read of one of the great rock guitarist's of our time