Camel (band)

Founder member, guitarist and songwriter Andrew Latimer, 1977

The band was formed in Guildford, Surrey, in 1971 by guitarist Andrew Latimer, drummer Andy Ward, and bassist Doug Ferguson, and keyboardist Peter Bardens. Latimer, Ward, and Ferguson had performed in the Guildford area as a trio named Brew, and in 1971 they auditioned to be the backing band for singer-songwriter Phillip Goodhand-Tait. The three went on to appear on latter's album I Think I'll Write a Song, released in September 1971.[4][5] After splitting with Goodhand-Tait, the trio decided that a keyboardist would expand their sound and advertised for one in the Melody Maker. Bardens responded and successfully auditioned with a Hammond organ that belonged to a mutual friend of the group. The four travelled to Ireland to fulfil outstanding contractual obligations Bardens had with his previous outfit On, after which they renamed themselves Camel.[5] Their live debut with the name followed at Waltham Forest Technical College in London in December 1971, supporting Wishbone Ash.[5]

The group began regular touring in January 1972, establishing themselves as a proficient live act. They soon signed with Geoff Jukes of the Buffalo Agency as their manager.[5] By August 1972, Camel signed with MCA Records and their eponymous debut album Camel was released in early 1973. The record was not a success and the band moved to the Deram Records division of Decca Records (UK).[6] 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 in the United States, prompting a three-month tour there.[6]

Released in 1975, the instrumental 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. However, the album attracted a lawsuit from Gallico.[7] It is often reported that Gallico brought the suit because he "loathed smoking" and thought the band were related to the cigarette brand.[8] In reality Gallico described himself as "an addict of the vice in all its blackest forms"[9] and his objection was simply on the grounds of copyright infringement.[8] Camel accordingly added the prefix Music inspired by... to the album's front cover and removed the story notes from the back cover.[7] The album's success led to a prestigious appearance at Royal Albert Hall with the London Symphony Orchestra in October 1975.

The band's fourth album, Moonmadness (1976), was the last to feature the original lineup. Mel Collins was added to the band on saxophone and flute for the subsequent tour. Drummer Ward was pushing for a move into jazz, which caused bassist Ferguson to quit the band in early 1977.[6][10] Ferguson formed the band Headwaiter and later became a property developer.[11]

Richard Sinclair (formerly of Caravan) replaced Ferguson, and Mel Collins joined the band in an official capacity. This lineup released Rain Dances (1977) and Breathless (1978). The latter was the last album to feature Bardens, who announced his departure before the supporting tour.[12] He was replaced by two keyboard players both recruited from Caravan: Dave Sinclair (cousin of Richard) and Jan Schelhaas. The Sinclair cousins both left the band after the tour, replaced by keyboardist Kit Watkins and bassist Colin Bass.[6] This lineup recorded the more commercial I Can See Your House from Here (1979); the album's cover, photographed and designed by Gered Mankowitz, is a manipulated photographic image of a crucified astronaut looking at Earth.

The 1981 release Nude was a concept album based on a true story of Japanese soldier Hiroo Onoda.[13] 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.[14] In mid-1981, Ward stopped playing drums due to alcohol and drug abuse and Camel quietly disbanded.[15]

Without a band, but with a contract to fulfill and pressure from Decca for a hit song, Latimer was joined by an array of guest and session musicians at Abbey Road Studios in early 1982. The album The Single Factor was released later that year, reaching no. 57 in the UK.[16] Another lineup featuring keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel (of Dutch prog-rock band Kayak) and drummer Paul Burgess (ex-10cc) released the album Stationary Traveller in 1984.[17] Camel's contract with Decca expired in late 1984, while Latimer prevailed in a legal dispute with a former manager. Latimer moved to the United States and disbanded the group again.[18]

After a seven-year hiatus, Latimer revived the Camel name in 1991 and released the album, Dust and Dreams under his own independent label Camel Productions. The album featured several players who had appeared on the group's two previous albums in the early 1980s. Keyboardist Mickey Simmonds, who had previously backed Mike Oldfield and Fish, joined in 1992.[19]

In the meantime, Latimer and Hoover wrote Harbour of Tears (a nickname for Cobh Harbour in Ireland from which many sailed to the United States during the Great Famine) under the Camel name, which was released in 1996. In 1999 Latimer, drummer Dave Stewart, bassist Colin Bass, and keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel recorded Rajaz, a record inspired by an ancient Arabic poetic metre of the same name that reflects the rhythm of camel footsteps in the desert.[20]

Camel performing in 2003

In 2001, Latimer assembled another new lineup with Bass, drummer Denis Clement, and keyboardist Guy LeBlanc. The band released the album A Nod and a Wink in 2002. The album was dedicated to former member Peter Bardens, who had died early that year,[21] The group was inactive for much of the following decade as Latimer received treatment for myelofibrosis.[22]

After Latimer's recovery, Camel returned to touring in 2013, including full performances of The Snow Goose.[23] A new and extended version of that album was released in November 2013. LeBlanc withdrew from touring in 2014 due to illness and died in 2015;[24] he was replaced by a returning Ton Scherpenzeel.[25]

Latimer was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award at Orange Amplification's 2014 Progressive Music Awards, and the 2013-14 Snow Goose tour was nominated in the category of Live Event.[26] The band continued to tour throughout the decade, and a live DVD recorded at Royal Albert Hall was released in early 2020.[27] Latimer continues to write new music, though the band has not released a studio album since 2002.[28]