Camel is a British progressive rock band formed in 1971.
Camel was formed in 1971 when Peter Bardens joined Andrew Latimer, Andy Ward and Doug Ferguson in a band called The Brew. Changing their name to Camel, they played their first gig at Waltham Forest Technical College supporting Wishbone Ash on 4 December.
In August 1972 Camel signed with MCA Records and released their eponymous debut album. The record was not a success and the band moved to Decca Records.
In 1974 they released their second album Mirage, then in 1975 the instrumental concept album The Snow Goose inspired by the book by Paul Gallico. They released the album Moonmadness in 1976.
Camel's line-up has changed many times in their history, starting in 1976 when Mel Collins saxophone joined as the fifth member. Following this, Doug Ferguson left the band in 1977.
Richard Sinclair joined the band and this line-up released Rain Dances and Breathless. Bardens departed before the supporting tour, replaced by two keyboard players: Dave Sinclair (cousin of Richard) and Jan Schelhaas. The Sinclair cousins both left the band after the tour, replaced by Kit Watkins and Colin Bass.
This line-up released I Can See Your House From Here, an album which caused problems for the advertisers due to its irreverent cover, displaying an crucified astronout looking at earth. Watkins left the band by the end of the world tour. The band then released another concept album, Nude, about a Japanese soldier found on an island many years after World War II, not realising the war was over. Watkins returned for the tour but left the band again after its completion.
In mid-1981, Ward stopped playing drums due to alcohol and drug abuse and Camel briefly disbanded. Following pressure from Decca to release a 'Hit Song', Latimer reformed the band later that year, with session musicians Watkins, Andy Dalby, Chris Rainbow, Stuart Tosh and David Paton. The resultant album, ironically entitled The Single Factor, was a break away from the band's progressive roots. At the end of 1983 Watkins left the band again. Legal wranglings then began with their former manager which took five years to resolve.
Ton Scherpenzeel (formerly of Dutch prog-rock band Kayak) replaced Watkins. Bass rejoined the band together with newcomer Paul Burgess for Stationary Traveller. Richie Close joined the tour at the on backup keyboards. (Close died a few years later from Legionnaire's disease.)
Latimer moved to America in the 1990s after the lawsuit ended and reformed Camel with Mickey Simmonds, Bass and Burgess. The album Dust and Dreams, a musical evocation of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, was released under Latimer's own label Camel Productions.
In 1993 a compilation, Never Let Go, was released. Latimer now worked alone and recorded Harbour of Tears (nickname for a harbor in Ireland from which many sailed off to the USA during the Potato Famine) under the Camel name.
In 1997 Camel toured again with Latimer supported by Bass, Foss Patterson and Dave Stewart. The tour resulted in Coming of Age, a live album.
In 1999 Latimer, Stewart and Bass recorded the Rajaz. Set in ancient times, Rajaz was a spontaneous composition inspired by the rhythm of the camel's footsteps to help the weary travelers reach their destination. Latimer was smitten with the idea that the rhythm of the camel would help people reach their journey's end. Stewart left the band before the following live tour, to be replaced by Denis Clements on Drums. The 2000 tour was augmented by Guy LeBlanc on keyboards. Latimer, Bass, LeBlanc and Clements then went to a tour of South America in 2001.
In 2003 the band released A Nod and a Wink, an album characterised as being a 'band' effort - the first in many years. The album plays tribute to the progressive rock bands of the 70's.
Due to the financial and personal burdens, Latimer made the choice of quitting the future Camel world tours; the 2003 tour was therefore announced as the "Fairwell Tour". Guy LeBlanc had to quit shortly before going on the road due to medical issues, and was replaced by Tom Brislin (in the US) and Ton Scherpenzeel (in the European leg)
In 2005 Latimer returned to the UK.
Andrew Latimer - guitar, vocals, flute, recorder
Andy Ward - drums
Peter Bardens - keyboards
Doug Ferguson - bass
1973 Camel
1974 Mirage
1975 The Snow Goose
1976 Moonmadness
1977 Rain Dances
1978 Breathless
1978 A Live Record
1979 I Can See Your House from Here
1981 Nude
1982 The Single Factor
1984 Pressure Points - Live in Concert
1984 Stationary Traveller
1991 Dust and Dreams
1992 On The Road 1972 (Live)
1993 Never Let Go (live)
1993 Echoes
1994 On The Road 1982 (Live)
1996 Harbour of Tears
1997 On The Road 1981 (Live)
1999 Rajaz
1999 Coming of Age (live)
2002 A Nod And A Wink
"Rhayader" by Camel, from www.progarchives.com (Mp3)
Camel Productions, the official Camel web site
Camel Discography
Skylines - The Camel Website - detailed archives
Rajaz - The Rhythm of the Camel
Camel Archives (french)
Moonmadness
History
Camel was formed in 1971 when Peter Bardens joined Andrew Latimer, Andy Ward and Doug Ferguson in a band called The Brew. Changing their name to Camel, they played their first gig at Waltham Forest Technical College supporting Wishbone Ash on 4 December.
In August 1972 Camel signed with MCA Records and released their eponymous debut album. The record was not a success and the band moved to Decca Records.
In 1974 they released their second album Mirage, then in 1975 the instrumental concept album The Snow Goose inspired by the book by Paul Gallico. They released the album Moonmadness in 1976.
Camel's line-up has changed many times in their history, starting in 1976 when Mel Collins saxophone joined as the fifth member. Following this, Doug Ferguson left the band in 1977.
Richard Sinclair joined the band and this line-up released Rain Dances and Breathless. Bardens departed before the supporting tour, replaced by two keyboard players: Dave Sinclair (cousin of Richard) and Jan Schelhaas. The Sinclair cousins both left the band after the tour, replaced by Kit Watkins and Colin Bass.
This line-up released I Can See Your House From Here, an album which caused problems for the advertisers due to its irreverent cover, displaying an crucified astronout looking at earth. Watkins left the band by the end of the world tour. The band then released another concept album, Nude, about a Japanese soldier found on an island many years after World War II, not realising the war was over. Watkins returned for the tour but left the band again after its completion.
In mid-1981, Ward stopped playing drums due to alcohol and drug abuse and Camel briefly disbanded. Following pressure from Decca to release a 'Hit Song', Latimer reformed the band later that year, with session musicians Watkins, Andy Dalby, Chris Rainbow, Stuart Tosh and David Paton. The resultant album, ironically entitled The Single Factor, was a break away from the band's progressive roots. At the end of 1983 Watkins left the band again. Legal wranglings then began with their former manager which took five years to resolve.
Ton Scherpenzeel (formerly of Dutch prog-rock band Kayak) replaced Watkins. Bass rejoined the band together with newcomer Paul Burgess for Stationary Traveller. Richie Close joined the tour at the on backup keyboards. (Close died a few years later from Legionnaire's disease.)
Latimer moved to America in the 1990s after the lawsuit ended and reformed Camel with Mickey Simmonds, Bass and Burgess. The album Dust and Dreams, a musical evocation of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, was released under Latimer's own label Camel Productions.
In 1993 a compilation, Never Let Go, was released. Latimer now worked alone and recorded Harbour of Tears (nickname for a harbor in Ireland from which many sailed off to the USA during the Potato Famine) under the Camel name.
In 1997 Camel toured again with Latimer supported by Bass, Foss Patterson and Dave Stewart. The tour resulted in Coming of Age, a live album.
In 1999 Latimer, Stewart and Bass recorded the Rajaz. Set in ancient times, Rajaz was a spontaneous composition inspired by the rhythm of the camel's footsteps to help the weary travelers reach their destination. Latimer was smitten with the idea that the rhythm of the camel would help people reach their journey's end. Stewart left the band before the following live tour, to be replaced by Denis Clements on Drums. The 2000 tour was augmented by Guy LeBlanc on keyboards. Latimer, Bass, LeBlanc and Clements then went to a tour of South America in 2001.
In 2003 the band released A Nod and a Wink, an album characterised as being a 'band' effort - the first in many years. The album plays tribute to the progressive rock bands of the 70's.
Due to the financial and personal burdens, Latimer made the choice of quitting the future Camel world tours; the 2003 tour was therefore announced as the "Fairwell Tour". Guy LeBlanc had to quit shortly before going on the road due to medical issues, and was replaced by Tom Brislin (in the US) and Ton Scherpenzeel (in the European leg)
In 2005 Latimer returned to the UK.
Personnel
Discography
Samples
"Rhayader" by Camel, from www.progarchives.com (Mp3)