Camel

Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in Guildford, Surrey, in 1971. Led by guitarist Andrew Latimer, they have released fourteen studio albums and fourteen singles, as well as numerous live albums and DVDs. Although they did not achieve mainstream commercial popularity, they developed a cult following in the 1970s with albums such as "Mirage" (1974) and "The Snow Goose" (1975). In the early 1980s, they moved towards a more jazz-influenced and commercially oriented style, followed by a prolonged hiatus. Read more on Last.fm …read full bio

Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in Guildford, Surrey, in 1971. Led by guitarist Andrew Latimer, they have released fourteen studio albums and fourteen singles, as well as numerous live albums and DVDs. Although they did not achieve mainstream commercial popularity, they developed a cult following in the 1970s with albums such as "Mirage" (1974) and "The Snow Goose" (1975). In the early 1980s, they moved towards a more jazz-influenced and commercially oriented style, followed by a prolonged hiatus. Since 1991, they have operated independently, releasing albums on their own label. Despite not having released new studio material since 2002, Camel are still occasionally performing live as of 2025. Their music has influenced artists including Marillion, Opeth, and Steven Wilson. Music journalist Mark Blake described Camel as "the great unsung heroes of 70s prog rock". The band were formed in 1971 in Guildford, Surrey, by guitarist Andrew Latimer, drummer Andy Ward, bassist Doug Ferguson, and keyboardist Peter Bardens. Latimer, Ward, and Ferguson had previously performed in the area as a trio called Brew and had worked as a backing band for singer-songwriter Phillip Goodhand-Tait, appearing on his album "I Think I'll Write a Song" released in 1971. After ending this collaboration, they advertised for a keyboardist in Melody Maker and recruited Bardens after a successful audition. The group travelled to Ireland to fulfil prior contractual obligations connected to Bardens’ former band On, after which they adopted the name Camel. Their live debut under this name followed in December 1971 at Waltham Forest Technical College in London, supporting Wishbone Ash. The band began touring regularly in 1972 and were managed by Geoff Jukes of the Buffalo Agency. In 1972 they signed with MCA Records, and their debut album "Camel" was released in 1973. The album was not commercially successful, and the band moved to Deram Records, a division of Decca Records in the United Kingdom. In 1974 they released "Mirage", on which Latimer also played flute. The album did not chart in the United Kingdom but achieved success in the United States, leading to a tour there. In 1975 they released "The Snow Goose", an instrumental concept album inspired by the short story by Paul Gallico. The release led to legal action from Gallico on the grounds of copyright infringement. The album was reissued with the wording "Music inspired by..." added to the cover, and the story notes were removed. The album's success led to a performance at the Royal Albert Hall with the London Symphony Orchestra. Their fourth album, "Moonmadness" (1976), was the last recorded by the original lineup. Mel Collins, formerly of King Crimson, later joined on saxophone and flute for touring. Andy Ward was pushing for a more jazz-oriented direction, and Doug Ferguson left the band in 1977. Ferguson later formed Headwaiter and became a property developer. Richard Sinclair, formerly of Caravan, replaced Ferguson, and Mel Collins joined in an official capacity. This lineup released "Rain Dances" (1977) and "Breathless" (1978). Peter Bardens left before the tour supporting "Breathless". He was replaced by keyboardists Dave Sinclair and Jan Schelhaas, both previously of Caravan. After the tour, Dave Sinclair and Richard Sinclair left and were replaced by Kit Watkins and Colin Bass. This lineup recorded "I Can See Your House from Here" (1979), whose cover artwork by Gered Mankowitz is a manipulated photograph of a crucified astronaut looking at Earth. In 1981 they released "Nude", a concept album based on the story of Japanese soldier Hiroo Onoda. Duncan Mackay performed most of the keyboard parts in place of Watkins and Schelhaas, who were working on other projects but returned for the tour. This was the first Camel album to feature lyrics by Susan Hoover. In mid-1981, Andy Ward stopped playing drums due to alcohol and drug-related issues, and Camel quietly disbanded. Without a band but still under contract, and under pressure from Decca for a hit record, Andrew Latimer was joined by a range of guest and session musicians at Abbey Road Studios in 1982. The album "The Single Factor" was released later that year, reaching number 57 in the UK charts. A further lineup featuring keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel (of Kayak) and drummer Paul Burgess (formerly of 10cc) released "Stationary Traveller" in 1984. Camel's contract with Decca expired later that year, and Latimer was involved in a legal dispute with a former manager. He then moved to the United States and the band were disbanded again. After a seven-year hiatus, Camel were revived by Latimer in 1991 and released "Dust and Dreams" under the independent label Camel Productions. The album featured several musicians who had appeared on earlier 1980s recordings. Keyboardist Mickey Simmonds joined in 1992. Latimer and Susan Hoover wrote "Harbour of Tears" (a reference to Cobh Harbour in Ireland, from which many emigrated during the Great Famine), which was released in 1996. In 1999 Latimer, drummer Dave Stewart, bassist Colin Bass, and keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel recorded "Rajaz", an album inspired by an Arabic poetic metre reflecting the rhythm of camel footsteps in the desert. In 2001 Latimer assembled another lineup with Bass, drummer Denis Clement, and keyboardist Guy LeBlanc. The band released "A Nod and a Wink" in 2002. The album was dedicated to former member Peter Bardens, who had died earlier that year. The group were inactive for much of the following decade while Latimer received treatment for myelofibrosis. After Latimer's recovery, Camel returned to touring in 2013, including full performances of "The Snow Goose". A new version of that album was also released in 2013. LeBlanc withdrew from touring in 2014 due to illness and died in 2015, and he was replaced by returning keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel. Latimer was awarded a Lifetime Achievement award at the Orange Amplification Progressive Music Awards in 2014. The band continued to tour throughout the decade, and a live recording from the Royal Albert Hall was released in 2020. Latimer continues to write music, although the band have not released a studio album since 2002. Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camel_(band) Studio albums Camel (1973) Mirage (1974) The Snow Goose (1975) Moonmadness (1976) Rain Dances (1977) Breathless (1978) I Can See Your House from Here (1979) Nude (1981) The Single Factor (1982) Stationary Traveller (1984) Dust and Dreams (1991) Harbour of Tears (1996) Rajaz (1999) A Nod and a Wink (2002) Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.

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…shrink me down again