Group
The Stray Gators
- From
- United States
- Active
- 1971–1973
- Releases
- 13
About
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). 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.
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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.
Members
-
Jack Nitzsche piano
-
Kenny Buttrey drums (drum set)
-
Tim Drummond bass guitar
-
Ben Keith pedal steel guitar, slide guitar
-
Danny Whitten guitar
-
John Barbata drums (drum set)
-
Spooner Oldham piano
Discography
Singles
Live
-
Tuscaloosa
-
Toronto 1973
-
1973-01-08: Cobo Hall, Detroit, MI, USA
-
1973 Time Fades Away Tour Compilation (Viglione Version)
-
1973-03-26: Convention Center, Anaheim, CA, USA
-
1973-01-29: Scope Arena, Norfolk, VA, USA
-
1973 Time Fades Away Tour Compilation (Peter Murphy Version)
-
1973-01-15: Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, ON, Canada
-
1992-12-16: Un-broadcast Unplugged Session, Ed Sullivan Theater, New York City, NY, USA
-
1973-01-10: Arie Crown Theater, Chicago, IL, USA
-
1973-02-11: Public Hall, Cleveland Convention Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
Links
Identifiers
- MusicBrainz
- 4aea031b-38c0-4e93-ba91-48cdd15f7900
Data from MusicBrainz, saved 11 Nov 2026. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, covers from the Cover Art Archive and Apple Music.