Dennis Stratton
Encyclopedia
Dennis Stratton is a guitar player who is best known as a former member of the British band Iron Maiden
from October 1979 to October 1980.
until at the age of 16 he took up playing guitar. A keen fan of the East End music scene, his first serious band was performing with Harvest, who later became Wedgewood. After two years he then formed the locally popular Remus Down Boulevard . "R.D.B." playing to large crowds, touring in support with Rory Gallagher
and Status Quo
and recording a "live at the Marquee" album with music producer Jonathan King
.
Stratton was invited to join Iron Maiden
as a second lead guitarist and backing vocalist by Steve Harris
after he had seen Stratton playing with Remus Down Boulevard. One of Stratton's earliest filmed appearances with Iron Maiden was in a concert at London's Marquee Club in October 1979. Dennis Stratton participated in the recording and production of the group's first album, Iron Maiden
in December 1979. He has also appeared in the home video recording Live At The Ruskin in early 1980 (released in 2004 as part of The Early Days
DVD set), Iron Maiden's first video "Women in Uniform," the Women in Uniform
single, some subsequent single releases, as well as in the band's first appearance on British TV ("Running Free" performed live on Top of the Pops) and the Live!! +one
album. Some concert bootlegs exist including a memorable performance at the 1980 Reading Festival. Stratton was also a member of Iron Maiden during their 1980 European tour, supporting KISS
. Dennis Stratton left Iron Maiden in October 1980. Accounts of the reason for Stratton' departure vary; Stratton has mentioned that he left due to conflicts with manager Rod Smallwood
and Steve Harris. Both Smallwood and Harris said they rated him as a singer and guitarist. Officially the band stated "musical differences" being the reason for his leaving Stratton was replaced by Adrian Smith
.
Since the recording of the band's first album, Stratton has been the only member of Iron Maiden not to have contributed to the writing of any recorded material.
After his departure from Iron Maiden, Stratton played with bands such as Lionheart
and, after a NWOBHM tour with them in 1990 joined Praying Mantis
, staying to record nine studio albums and two live ones. Stratton officially left Praying Mantis in 2006, although his final recorded material with them was in 2003. In 1995, Stratton had a project with former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno
called "The Original Iron Men" in which both of them sang. They released three albums.
Stratton can still be seen playing in pubs around the East London area and also in Essex.
Stratton is also endorsed by Caparison Guitars
, from his days with Praying Mantis. Live, he uses a Marshall Twin Valvestate combo and a Boss effects/control unit.
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
from October 1979 to October 1980.
Biography
Born in Canning Town, London, Dennis Stratton early in life was a promising schoolboy footballer, who was briefly on the books at West Ham UnitedWest Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
until at the age of 16 he took up playing guitar. A keen fan of the East End music scene, his first serious band was performing with Harvest, who later became Wedgewood. After two years he then formed the locally popular Remus Down Boulevard . "R.D.B." playing to large crowds, touring in support with Rory Gallagher
Rory Gallagher
William Rory Gallagher, ; 2 March 1948 – 14 June 1995, was an Irish blues-rock multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and bandleader. Born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland, and raised in Cork, Gallagher recorded solo albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, after forming the band Taste...
and Status Quo
Status Quo
Status Quo, also known as The Quo or just Quo, are an English rock band whose music is characterized by their distinctive brand of boogie rock....
and recording a "live at the Marquee" album with music producer Jonathan King
Jonathan King
Jonathan King is an English singer, songwriter, impresario and record producer. He is also the author of three novels, Bible Two and The Booker Prize Winner , and Beware the Monkey Man , and an autobiography, 65 My Life So Far .King first came to prominence as an...
.
Stratton was invited to join Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
as a second lead guitarist and backing vocalist by Steve Harris
Steve Harris (musician)
Stephen Percy "Steve" Harris is an English musician and songwriter, known as the bassist, occasional keyboardist, backing vocalist and primary songwriter of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, which he founded in 1975...
after he had seen Stratton playing with Remus Down Boulevard. One of Stratton's earliest filmed appearances with Iron Maiden was in a concert at London's Marquee Club in October 1979. Dennis Stratton participated in the recording and production of the group's first album, Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden (album)
*On the 1998 remastered release, the fade out of "Transylvania" and the intro to "Strange World" were moved to the end of "Transylvania".-Personnel:*Paul Di'Anno – vocals*Dave Murray – guitar*Dennis Stratton – guitar, backing vocals...
in December 1979. He has also appeared in the home video recording Live At The Ruskin in early 1980 (released in 2004 as part of The Early Days
The Early Days
The Early Days is a DVD video by Iron Maiden, released in 2004. It features the first part of "The History of iron Maiden" series, a 90 minute documentary which describes their beginnings in London's East End in 1975 through to the Piece of Mind album and tour in 1983. The second part of the series...
DVD set), Iron Maiden's first video "Women in Uniform," the Women in Uniform
Women in Uniform
"Women in Uniform" is a 1978 song originally recorded by the Australian band Skyhooks; it was written by the band's bass player, Greg Macainsh. It appeared on their fourth album, Guilty Until Proven Insane, and was a top 10 single in Australia.[]...
single, some subsequent single releases, as well as in the band's first appearance on British TV ("Running Free" performed live on Top of the Pops) and the Live!! +one
Live!! +one
-Greek release:-Personnel:*Paul Di'Anno – lead vocals*Dave Murray – guitar*Dennis Stratton - guitar, backing vocals *Adrian Smith – guitar, backing vocals...
album. Some concert bootlegs exist including a memorable performance at the 1980 Reading Festival. Stratton was also a member of Iron Maiden during their 1980 European tour, supporting KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
. Dennis Stratton left Iron Maiden in October 1980. Accounts of the reason for Stratton' departure vary; Stratton has mentioned that he left due to conflicts with manager Rod Smallwood
Rod Smallwood
Rod Smallwood, co-manager of the British band Iron Maiden and co-founder in 1976 of then Smallwood-Taylor Enterprises, today Sanctuary Group which is the world's largest music management company. The company was named after the Maiden song by the same name...
and Steve Harris. Both Smallwood and Harris said they rated him as a singer and guitarist. Officially the band stated "musical differences" being the reason for his leaving Stratton was replaced by Adrian Smith
Adrian Smith
Adrian Frederick "H" Smith is an English musician and one of three guitarists in the heavy metal band, Iron Maiden. He is also one of the band's regular songwriters and, along with bassist Steve Harris, performs backing vocals on some songs.-Biography:While at school, Smith purchased his first...
.
Since the recording of the band's first album, Stratton has been the only member of Iron Maiden not to have contributed to the writing of any recorded material.
After his departure from Iron Maiden, Stratton played with bands such as Lionheart
Lionheart (band)
-History:Lionheart was a British hard rock band formed in late 1980, originally featuring singer Jess Cox , guitarist Dennis Stratton , guitarist Steve Mann , bassist/vocalist Rocky Newton , and drummer Frank Noon .They made their debut one Saturday night at the Marquee Club in...
and, after a NWOBHM tour with them in 1990 joined Praying Mantis
Praying Mantis (band)
Praying Mantis are an English rock band. Although a part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene, they pursued a musical direction more melodic and AOR-sounding than their contemporaries.-Career:...
, staying to record nine studio albums and two live ones. Stratton officially left Praying Mantis in 2006, although his final recorded material with them was in 2003. In 1995, Stratton had a project with former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno
Paul Di'Anno
Paul Andrews , better known as Paul Di'Anno, is an English singer best known as the first vocalist to record with the iconic heavy metal band Iron Maiden, from 1978 to 1981....
called "The Original Iron Men" in which both of them sang. They released three albums.
Stratton can still be seen playing in pubs around the East London area and also in Essex.
Stratton is also endorsed by Caparison Guitars
Caparison Guitars
Caparison Guitars is a Japan-based manufacturer of custom shop electric guitars.-History:The Caparison Guitar company was established in 1995 by former Jackson/Charvel Japan designer Itaru Kanno and was owned by Kyowa Shokai, a company that made contracts with factories to produce guitars for them...
, from his days with Praying Mantis. Live, he uses a Marshall Twin Valvestate combo and a Boss effects/control unit.
Remus Down Boulevard
- Live - A Week at the Bridge E16 (1978) (Sampler including two RDB-songs)
- Live EP at the Bridge E16, 12" (2002) (Sampler including two RDB-songs)
- The Bridge House - Book Launch & Reunion, DVD (2007) (RDB & Chris Thompson live)
Iron Maiden
- Iron MaidenIron Maiden (album)*On the 1998 remastered release, the fade out of "Transylvania" and the intro to "Strange World" were moved to the end of "Transylvania".-Personnel:*Paul Di'Anno – vocals*Dave Murray – guitar*Dennis Stratton – guitar, backing vocals...
(1980) - KillersKillers (Iron Maiden album)Killers is the second album by British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 2 February 1981 in the UK, and 6 June 1981 in the US. The album was their first with guitarist Adrian Smith and their last with vocalist Paul Di'Anno, who was sacked after problems with his stage performance arose due...
(guitar on 3 bonus tracks on the 1995 re-release) (1995)
Praying Mantis
- Live at Last (live) (1990)
- Predator in Disguise (1991)
- A Cry for the New World (1993)
- Only the Children Cry (EP) (1993)
- Play in the East (live) (1994)
- To the Power of Ten (1995)
- Captured Alive in Tokyo City (live) (1996)
- Forever in Time (1998)
- Nowhere to Hide (2000)
- The Journey Goes On (2003)
- Captured alive in Tokyo City (Live-DVD)
- The Best of Praying Mantis (2004) (Best-of Compilation)
Paul Di'Anno & Dennis Stratton
- The Original Iron Men (1995)
- The Original Iron Men 2 (1996)
- As Hard As Iron (1996)
Collaborations
- Kaizoku (1989) - Various Authors
- All Stars (1990) - Various Authors
- Trapped (1990) - Lea Hart
- Start 'em Young (1992) - English Steel
- Ready to rumble (1992) - True Brits
External links
- Interview With Dennis Stratton (2003), Accessed 10 July 2005.
- Dennis Stratton Discography, Accessed 10 July 2005.
- Praying Mantis fan site