Steve Harris formed the band to play in small venues, as opposed to the large arenas typically played by Iron Maiden,[1][2] and as an outlet for shorter hard rock-oriented songs[3] in which he can experiment with different bass guitar styles.[4] The band also includes singer Richard Taylor, guitarists David Hawkins and Grahame Leslie, and drummer Simon Dawson.[5]

Harris had first met Leslie in the early 1990s after Leslie sent him a demo tape, and Harris mentored the careers of Leslie and Taylor for several years until deciding to include them in the British Lion project.[6] The band's tours are typically scheduled after the conclusion of Iron Maiden tours, when Harris becomes interested in playing in clubs and theaters as he did in Iron Maiden's early years.[7][8]

The album British Lion, released in 2012, was marketed as a solo album by Harris with the other musicians described as his backing band. The project was then re-positioned as a self-contained band with most songs written by Harris, Taylor, and Hawkins.[9] Their second album The Burning was released in January 2020.[10] The album was voted Album of the Year by Paul Stenning for BraveWords.

Stray are an English hard rock band formed in London in 1966. Vocalist Steve Gadd (born Stephen Gadd, 27 April 1952, Shepherd's Bush, West London), guitarist Del Bromham (born Derek Roy Bromham, 25 November 1951, Acton, West London), bassist Gary Giles (born Gary Stephen Giles, 23 February 1952, North Kensington, West London) and drummer Steve Crutchley (born 1952) formed the band whilst all were attending the Christopher Wren School in London. Richard "Ritchie" Cole (born 10 November 1951, Shepherd's Bush, West London) replaced Crutchley in 1968.[2] They signed to Transatlantic Records in January 1970.

Their brand of melodic, hook-laden hard rock proved to be a popular draw on the local club scene during the early 1970s. However, the band never achieved commercial success. At one stage Charlie Kray (brother of the Kray twins Ronnie and Reggie), was their manager.[2] Gadd left the band in 1975 due to artistic differences and was replaced on vocals by Pete Dyer.[2] The group's early musical style consisted of blues rock, acid rock and psychedelic rock. They then went on to join the hard rock and progressive rock movement.[3][4]

The band served as the rhythm section alongside a string orchestra for the 1975 Jimmy Helms LP, Songs I Sing. The original Stray ended in 1977,[2] although Bromham later continued to play in various resurrected versions of the project well into the 2000s. By the 2010s the band had a settled lineup again, as well as Del Bromham, Pete Dyer returned and Stuart Uren (bass) and Karl Randall (drums) were regularly gigging as Stray. In November 2016, the band hosted a 50th Anniversary celebration concert (featuring all original members) at a sold-out London Borderline.

In 2019, Colin Kempster replaced Stuart Uren as permanent bassist and, for live gigs, the band was also joined by Simon Rinaldo on keyboards. After successful concerts in late 2019 and an acclaimed set at the annual Giants of Rock Festival in Minehead, Stray set out on a full joint headlining tour with Ken Pustelnik’s Groundhogs in February and March in 2020.

In 2003, Stray were the support band to Iron Maiden on several of their European dates on the Dance of Death World Tour 2003-2004. These included dates in Spain, Portugal, Poland and France.[5] There are two other Iron Maiden connections to Stray. "All in Your Mind" from Stray's 1970 debut album was covered by Iron Maiden and was included on the 1995 reissue of No Prayer for the Dying, and Maiden bassist Steve Harris's daughter Lauren has covered "Come On Over".

From late 2006 until early 2007, the band's back catalogue of eight studio albums issued originally during the 1970s, were re-released by the UK based Sanctuary Records in compact disc format. The new releases were remastered and had bonus tracks culled from single B-sides, studio outtakes and BBC broadcast sessions.

Tony Moore’s career in music began when he left his hometown of Bristol to join the then-unknown Iron Maiden as a keyboard/synth player.  He rehearsed and worked with them for around 6 months but after only one gig with the band, Tony departed to form the group Tanz Der Youth with Brian James formerly The Damned. 

This band gained traction quickly, touring and opening for The Stranglers and Black Sabbath, recording a critically acclaimed single on RADAR records as well as being championed by legendary radio DJ John Peel until they split up after about a year together.

In the early 80’s Tony started Radio Java, signing to Carrerre Records and recording an album of his songs at Abbey Road. His single FOOL became a number 1 hit in Holland at Xmas 1983.

In the mid 80’s Tony was asked to join Cutting Crew as keyboard player, going on to tour the world and opening for acts like Huey Lewis, Starship and The Bangles in the wake of the global success of their hit single “(I JUST) DIED IN YOUR ARMS TONIGHT. They were also the first Western band to play a live show in Taiwan that allowed dancing and audiences to stand up – something that almost caused a riot in Taipei !

At the end 2004 Tony Moore was made the sole Inductee into the MMF (Music Managers Forum) Roll Of Honour for outstanding contribution to the British Music Industry.

Then in October of 2010 Tony was awarded a “GOLD BADGE” by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors for his services to songwriters and his major contribution to the creative industry.

As a writer, singer and performer he has never stopped and on June 30th 2019, Tony captivated a sold out stadium audience with his own composition “We Are The Light ” at the closing ceremony of the European Games 2019 in Minsk, Belarus. This momentous show was also broadcast live to 117 countries across the Earth, reaching an estimated 500 million viewers making it the biggest gig of his life so far.

During lockdown, Tony took his live performances digitally and from March 24th 2020 onwards he played more than 110 consecutive two-hour long online shows before taking a break in July of that year. His streamed shows titled “Right Here With Tony Moore” have been viewed by countless thousands of people from all corners of the planet and have resulted in him building a massive community of supporters.

In 2022 Julian Lennon recorded and released his latest album “JUDE” that included  a song  he co-wrote with Tony called “LOVE NEVER DIES” which also features Tony playing the haunting piano part that underpins the song

Tony  is currently performing AWAKE, his highly acclaimed live one man show, based on music he wrote, recorded and produced through the lockdown to sold out audiences around the country. 

Quotes about Tony Moore:

“Tony believed in me, gave me a stage to be seen and a platform to be heard.  I loved those days – we had fun and Tony will always be a legend to me!!!!” Paolo Nutini

“Tony is a total rock of strength to anyone doubting that music is their path in life – I aspire to remain as in love and involved with it as he is.” KT Tunstall

Former Iron Maiden, and Cutting Crew musician, Tony Moore on his forty-year journey towards creating the ‘Awake’ show; his cinematic masterpiece, and life’s work

Across an industry that can be unforgiving, Tony Moore is one of its most positive, and endearing characters. Since taking a short-lived chance opportunity to join Iron Maiden in 1976-77, his career has seen many twists and turns; performing with Tanz Der Youth, Radio Java, and the chart-topping Cutting Crew; playing the closing ceremony.

The Cart and Horses, Stratford, has an association with Iron Maiden that goes back decades. Steve Harris first performed with Gypsies Kiss 39 years ago, and he later returned with Iron Maiden, who had their first residency there.