Camel (band)

Camel
Current Camel lineup
Background information
Origin	London, England
Genres	Progressive rock, symphonic rock, Canterbury scene, space rock
Years active	1971–1984 1991–present
Labels	MCA, Janus, Decca, Deram, Arista, Camel Productions, Gama
Members	Andrew Latimer Colin Bass Guy LeBlanc Denis Clement
Past members	Andy Ward Peter Bardens Doug Ferguson Mel Collins Richard Sinclair Jan Schelhaas Ton Scherpenzeel Dave Sinclair Kit Watkins Paul Burgess Dave Stewart

Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in 1971.

History

1970s

Andrew Latimer (guitar), Andy Ward (drums) and Doug Ferguson (bass) had been playing as a trio called The Brew around the Guildford, Surrey area of England. On February 20, 1971, they auditioned to be the back-up band to singer/songwriter Phillip Goodhand-Tait and released an album with him in August 1971 titled "I Think I'll Write a Song" on DJM Records. This would be their first and last album with Goodhand-Tait. They recruited Peter Bardens (keyboards) and after an initial gig to fulfill a Bardens commitment on 8 October 1971 in Belfast, Northern Ireland under the name of Peter Bardens' On, they changed their name to Camel. Their first gig was at Waltham Forest Technical College, London supporting Wishbone Ash on 4 December 1971.

In August 1972 Camel signed with MCA Records and their eponymous debut album was released six months later. The record was not a success and the band moved to the Deram Records division of Decca Records (UK).

In 1974 they released their second album; the critically acclaimed Mirage, on which Latimer showed he was also adept on flute. Although failing to chart at home, it gained success on the U.S. west coast, prompting a three-month tour there.

Released in 1975, the instrumental, orchestrated concept album The Snow Goose, inspired by the Paul Gallico short story of the same name was the breakthrough album that brought Camel wider attention and success, but not without controversy. Gallico, who loathed smoking, thought the band were related to the cigarette brand and threatened to take legal action. Camel avoided this by adding the prefix 'Music inspired by...' to the album's cover. The album's success led to a prestigious sell out concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London, with the London Symphony Orchestra on 17 October 1975.

A fourth album, Moonmadness in 1976, continued the success, but was the last to feature the original line up. Mel Collins' saxophone and flute augmented the band for the subsequent tour, beginning an eight-year association. Drummer Ward was pushing for a more jazz direction and this demand on Ferguson led to his departure in early 1977. Ferguson is now a property developer.

Richard Sinclair (previously in Caravan) replaced Ferguson and Mel Collins joined the band in an official capacity. This line-up released Rain Dances (1977) and Breathless (1978). The latter was the last album to feature Bardens, who announced his departure before the supporting tour. He was replaced by two keyboard players: Dave Sinclair (cousin of Richard and also from Caravan) and Jan Schelhaas (also of Caravan). The Sinclair cousins both left the band after the tour, replaced by Kit Watkins and Colin Bass. Collins also ceased working in an official capacity with the band at this time.

This line up recorded the more commercial I Can See Your House From Here (1979), an album which caused problems for the advertisers due to its irreverent cover, displaying a crucified astronaut looking at Earth. The album was Camel's most varied to date, ranging from the fast paced 'Wait', through lush orchestration ('Who We Are', 'Survival') and light-hearted, sequencer driven electronica ('Remote Romance') to the 10 minute instrumental conclusion 'Ice', showcasing Latimer's emotional lead guitar playing.

1980s

Camel returned to the concept album for their next recording. Nude (1981), is based on a true story about a Japanese soldier (Hiroo Onoda) found on an island many years after World War II had ended, not having realised the war was over. Duncan Mackay provided most of the keyboards in lieu of Watkins and Schelhaas, who were involved in other projects, but returned for the tour. This was the first album to feature lyrics by Latimer's future wife Susan Hoover (who had in fact contributed lyrical ideas, albeit anonymously, to I Can See...). In mid-1981, Ward stopped playing drums due to alcohol and drug abuse and Camel quietly disbanded. Years later it was revealed that Ward had attempted suicide.

Without a band, but a contract to fulfill and pressure from Decca for a 'hit song', Latimer was joined by an array of guest and session musicians, including David Paton, Chris Rainbow and Anthony Phillips at Abbey Road studio in early 1982. The resultant album, ironically entitled The Single Factor, was a far cry from the band's early hard rock/progressive sound, but it scraped the lower regions of the charts and enabled a successful Tenth Anniversary Tour, featuring Paton, Rainbow, Watkins, Stuart Tosh (drums) and Andy Dalby (guitar) accompanying Latimer. Legal wranglings over royalties then began with their former manager which took five years to resolve.

Ton Scherpenzeel (of Dutch prog-rock band Kayak) joined Latimer as Camel's new keyboardist with Paul Burgess on drums for 1984's Stationary Traveller. Bass returned (for good) to fill the bass position for the tour, which also included Rainbow on backing and occasional lead vocals and some keyboards. For the Hammersmith Odeon shows which were filmed, an additional keyboard player, Richie Close (who died a few years later from Legionnaires' disease) was also added, and former members Peter Bardens and Mel Collins made guest appearances.

After the release of the resulting live Pressure Points in late 1984, the contract with Decca finished. Latimer was unable to interest other British record companies and Camel disappeared quietly from the music scene. Latimer decided to move to California when the lawsuit ended in his favor.

1990s

After a seven-year hiatus, Latimer revived the Camel name, releasing a new album, Dust and Dreams, in 1991. Part of it had actually been recorded as early as 1988, before Latimer's departure to the US, and featured all members of the previous incarnation, i.e. Bass, Burgess, Scherpenzeel, alongside a number of additional musicians. The album was largely instrumental and inspired by John Steinbeck's classic novel The Grapes of Wrath. It was released under Latimer's own label Camel Productions and, whilst according to some it was a triumphant return to their progressive roots, to others it was a disappointingly middle-of-the-road effort.

Scherpenzeel's fear of flying made him largely unavailable for touring. So former Mike Oldfield and Fish keyboardist Mickey Simmonds joined Latimer, Bass and Burgess for the 1992 "comeback" world tour from which in 1993 a double live CD, recorded in Holland, Never Let Go, was released. In 1994, former members Bardens and Ward formed Mirage with members of Caravan. In this incarnation, it played a short European tour, with a setlist including numerous Camel pieces, but it quickly gave way to a Bardens-led band with no other Camel or Caravan alumni.

Inspired by the death of Latimer's father, he and Hoover then wrote Harbour of Tears (nickname for Cobh (pronounced 'cove') harbour in Ireland from which many sailed off to the USA during the Potato Famine) under the Camel name, which was released in 1996.

In 1997 Camel again toured the west coast of the U.S., Japan and Europe (as they had in 1992) with a line-up consisting of Latimer, Bass, and new drummer Dave Stewart, supported by Foss Patterson (keyboards). The tour resulted in Coming of Age, a live double-CD and DVD.

In 1999 Latimer, Stewart, Bass and Scherpenzeel, recorded Rajaz. Set in ancient times, Rajaz was a spontaneous composition inspired by the rhythm of the camel's footsteps to help weary travelers reach their destination. Latimer was smitten with the theme, and this album truly took Camel back to their prog-rock roots.

2000s

Stewart left the band when he was offered the chance to manage a drum store in Scotland before the following live tour, to be replaced by French Canadian Denis Clement on Drums, and Scherpenzeel departed and was replaced by Guy LeBlanc. Latimer, Bass, LeBlanc and Clement then went to a tour of South America in 2001.

In 2002 this quartet released A Nod and a Wink, – a reflective, mellow album, prominently featuring Latimer's flute. The album was dedicated to Peter Bardens, who died in January 2002.

Following somewhat-troubled live tours of recent years, Camel Productions announced the 2003 tour to be Camel's "Farewell Tour". Guy LeBlanc had to quit shortly before going on the road due to the illness of his wife, and was replaced by Tom Brislin (in the US) and a train-travelling Ton Scherpenzeel (European leg). The US leg of the tour was highlighted by a headline appearance at NEARfest, the world's most prestigious progressive rock festival.

Latimer started work on acoustic versions of old Camel material, but this was aborted. In 2006, Latimer accepted an invitation to audition for a guitar/vocal role on Roger Waters' tour, the position eventually being filled by Dave Kilminster.

In October 2006 Latimer completed a move back to the UK with intentions of recording and releasing future Camel albums from his home country and completing a project started in 2003 with Andy Ward and Doug Ferguson.

In May 2007, Susan Hoover announced through the Camel Productions website and newsletter that Andrew Latimer has suffered from a progressive blood disorder polycythaemia vera since 1992 which has progressed to myelofibrosis. This was part of the reason why Camel ceased extensive touring. Latimer underwent chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant in November 2007. He responded well to treatment, but has suffered from fatigue and cycles of severe joint pain. In the September 2008 newsletter, she reported that Latimer was gradually regaining strength and they are adopting a positive frame of mind that Camel will eventually be able to play a mini-tour and release a new studio album.

2010s

Latimer's health has progressed and he contributed guitar solos and vocal tracks to David Minasian's album Random Acts of Beauty (August 2010). In September 2010, Camel Productions announced that Latimer and Denis Clement have started writing material for a new Camel album.

Camel Productions announced in January 2013 the possibility of a 'Retirement Sucks Tour' for September/October 2013.

In March 2013, the Barbican Arts Centre in London announced that on the 28th October 2013 Camel will perform 'The Snow Goose' in its entirety for the first time since the Royal Albert Hall concert in 1975 (in fact the last full performance was at Reading Town Hall on 18 December 1975). The show quickly sold out. Further dates have been added in Harrogate (19th Oct), Wolverhampton (20th), Manchester (21st), Salisbury (22nd), Limbourg, Belgium (24th), Groningen, Netherlands (25th), Amsterdam (26th) and three yet to be confirmed dates in Germany - Bochum (30th), Mannheim (31st), Fulda (1st Nov).

Legacy

Fuera de Tiempo by Argentinean band Rockaphonia contains three Camel tribute covers.

A tribute band, The Humps, in Israel, routinely performs some of the band's material.

Another tribute band named Fritha (after the song on the Snowgoose album) is performing in Japan

In Sweden there is a tribute band named Lady Fantasy (after the song on the Mirage album).

A band named Raha in Iran is doing covers of Camel songs.

In Egypt, Andromida is also doing covers of Camel amongst their set.

In 2010, a Norwegian progressive band who has taken the name Mirage after the title of Camel's second album, is including Camel songs amongst a set of Yes, Jethro Tull, and King Crimson pieces.

About the same time, an Italian Camel tribute band has also taken the name Mirage. The material they have released so far is from the Snowgoose suite.

In Lebanon, a band called "Babel" (as in "Babylon") improvised over Camel's song "Storm Clouds" on October 28 of 2011.

Personnel

Members

Current members

• Andrew Latimer – guitar, vocals, flute, recorder, keyboards, bass guitar (1971–present)
• Colin Bass – bass guitar, vocals, keyboard, acoustic guitar (1979–1981, 1984–present)
• Guy LeBlanc – keyboards, vocals (2000–present)
• Denis Clement – drums, percussion (2000–present)

Former members

• Andy Ward – drums, percussion (1971–1981)
• Peter Bardens – keyboards, vocals (1971–1978; died 2002)
• Paul Burgess – drums, percussion (1984–1992)
• Doug Ferguson – bass, vocals (1971–1977)
• Mel Collins – saxophones, flute (1977–1979; touring - 1976-1977)
• Richard Sinclair – bass, vocals (1977–1979)
• Jan Schelhaas – keyboards (1978–1981)
• Ton Scherpenzeel – keyboards (1984, 1991, 1999; touring - 2003)
• Dave Sinclair – keyboards (1978–1979)
• Dave Stewart – drums, percussion (1997–2000)
• Kit Watkins – keyboards, flute (1979–1981; touring - 1982)

Touring musicians

• Chris Rainbow – vocals (1982-1984)
• Andy Dalby – guitar (1982)
• David Paton – bass, vocals (1982)
• Stuart Tosh – drums, percussion (1982)
• Richie Close – keyboards (1984)
• Mickey Simmonds – keyboards (1992)
• Foss Patterson – keyboards (1997)
• Tom Brislin – keyboards (2003)

Lineups

1971-1975	1976	1977-1978	1978
Andrew Latimer – guitar, vocals, flute, recorder, keyboards, bass guitar Andy Ward – drums, percussion Peter Bardens – keyboards, vocals Doug Ferguson – bass, vocals	Andrew Latimer – guitar, vocals, flute, recorder, keyboards, bass guitar Andy Ward – drums, percussion Peter Bardens – keyboards, vocals Doug Ferguson – bass, vocals Mel Collins – saxophones, flute	Andrew Latimer – guitar, vocals, flute, recorder, keyboards, bass guitar Peter Bardens – keyboards, vocals Richard Sinclair – bass, vocals Andy Ward – drums, percussion Mel Collins – saxophones, flute	Andrew Latimer – guitar, vocals, flute Andy Ward – drums, percussion Jan Schelhaas – keyboards Dave Sinclair – keyboards Richard Sinclair – bass, vocals Mel Collins – saxophones, flute
1979-1981	1982	1983	1984
Andrew Latimer – guitar, vocals Andy Ward – drums, percussion Jan Schelhaas – keyboards Kit Watkins – keyboards, flute Colin Bass – bass guitar, vocals, keyboard, acoustic guitar	Andrew Latimer – guitar, vocals Stuart Tosh – drums, percussion Andy Dalby – backup guitar Kit Watkins – keyboards, flute David Paton – bass guitar, vocals	Disbanded	Andrew Latimer – guitar, vocals, flute Paul Burgess – drums, percussion Chris Rainbow – vocals Ton Scherpenzeel – keyboards Colin Bass – bass guitar
1985-1991	1992	1993-1996	1997-1998
Disbanded	Andrew Latimer – guitar, vocals Paul Burgess – drums, percussion Mickey Simmonds – keyboards Colin Bass – bass guitar, vocals	Disbanded	Andrew Latimer – guitar, vocals Colin Bass – bass guitar Dave Stewart – drums Foss Patterson – keyboards
1999	2000-2002
Andrew Latimer – guitar, vocals Colin Bass – bass guitar Dave Stewart – drums Ton Scherpenzeel – keyboards	Andrew Latimer – guitar, flute, keyboards, vocals Colin Bass – bass guitar, backing vocals Guy LeBlanc – keyboards, backing vocals Denis Clement – drums

Discography

Studio albums

• 1973 – Camel
• 1974 – Mirage  (US Billboard No.149;  13 weeks on chart)
• 1975 – The Snow Goose  (UK No.22;  13 weeks on chart);  Certified Silver
• 1976 – Moonmadness  (UK No.15;  6 weeks on chart);  Certified Silver
• 1977 – Rain Dances  (UK No.20;  8 weeks on chart;  US Billboard No. 136)
• 1978 – Breathless  (UK No.26;  1 week on chart;  US Billboard No. 134)
• 1979 – I Can See Your House from Here  (UK No.45;  3 weeks on chart;  US Billboard No. 208)
• 1981 – Nude  (UK No.34;  7 weeks on chart)
• 1982 – The Single Factor  (UK No.57;  5 weeks on chart)
• 1984 – Stationary Traveller  (UK No.57;  4 weeks on chart)
• 1991 – Dust and Dreams
• 1996 – Harbour of Tears
• 1999 – Rajaz
• 2002 – A Nod and a Wink

Live albums

• 1974 – Greasy Truckers Live at Dingwalls Dance Hall (Various Artists. Includes 19 minute version of Camel's 'God of Light Revisited')
• 1978 – A Live Record (live, various venues 1974, 1975, 1977)
• 1984 – Pressure Points: Live in Concert (live, 11 May 1984, Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK)
• 1992 – On the Road 1972 (live, venue unspecified)
• 1993 – Never Let Go (live, 5 September 1992, Enschede, NL)
• 1994 – On the Road 1982 (live, Dutch radio, 13 June 1982, Congresgebouw, Den Haag, NL)
• 1997 – On the Road 1981 (live, BBC radio, 2 April 1981, Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK)
• 1998 – Coming of Age (live, 13 March 1997, Billboard, Los Angeles, USA)
• 2000 – Gods of Light '73-'75 (live, various venues)
• 2001 – The Paris Collection (live, 30 September 2000, Bataclan-Club, Paris, France). Note: CD wrongly states concert as 30 October.

Compilation albums

• 1981 – Chameleon - The Best Of Camel
• 1985 – The Collection
• 1986 – A Compact Compilation
• 1991 – Landscapes
• 1993 – Echoes: The Retrospective
• 1997 – Camel – Master Series (25th Anniversary Compilation)
• 2001 – Lunar Sea
• 2010 – Rainbow's End: An Anthology 1973-1985

Singles

• 1973 – "Never Let Go" / "Curiosity"
• 1975 – "Flight of the Snow Goose" / "Rhayader"
• 1975 – "The Snow Goose" / "Freefall"
• 1976 – "Another Night" / "Lunar Sea" (Live)
• 1977 – "Highways of the Sun" / "Tell Me"
• 1978 – "Breathless (Sin Respiracion)" / "Rainbows End" (Spanish)
• 1979 – "Your Love is Stranger Then Mine" / "Neon Magic"
• 1979 – "Remote Romance" / "Rainbows End" / "Tell Me"
• 1981 – "Lies" / "Changing Places" (Dutch)
• 1982 – "No Easy Answer" / "Heroes" (Canadian)
• 1982 – "Selva" (Dutch)
• 1984 – "Long Goodbyes" / "Metrognome" (German)
• 1984 – "Cloak And Dagger Man" / "Pressure Points"
• 1984 – "Berlin Occidental" (West Berlin) Stereo Version / Mono Version (Mexican)

DVDs

• 2002 – Coming Of Age (live, 13 March 1997, Billboard, Los Angeles, USA)
• 2003 – Pressure Points (live, 11 May 1984, Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK)
• 2003 – Curriculum Vitae
• 2004 – Footage
• 2005 – Footage II
• 2007 – Total Pressure (full version of Pressure Points concert).
• 2007 – Moondances (live, 14 April 1976, Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK and 22 September 1977, Hippodrome, Golders Green, London, UK)
• 2010 – The Opening Farewell (live, 26 June 2003, The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, USA)

External links

• Camel Productions, the official Camel web site
• Camel discography at Discogs
• Camel Performances