The Stray Gators | |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1971–1973; 1992 |
| Past members | Ben Keith Jack Nitzsche Tim Drummond Kenny Buttrey Johnny Barbata Spooner Oldham Danny Whitten |
The Stray Gators was the name given by Neil Young to his supporting musicians from 1971 to 1973 and who backed him on the albums Harvest (1972) and Time Fades Away (1973).[1] It consisted of Jack Nitzsche (piano), Ben Keith (steel guitar), Tim Drummond (bass) and Kenny Buttrey (drums); the latter replaced during the Time Fades Away tour by Johnny Barbata.
Former Crazy Horse rhythm guitarist Danny Whitten briefly joined the group in 1972 but was fired by Young due to his poor performance during tour rehearsals, precipitating his death from an accidental overdose immediately thereafter.