Atomic Rooster
Encyclopedia
Atomic Rooster were an English
progressive rock
band
, composed of former members of the The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Throughout their history, keyboardist Vincent Crane
was the only constant member, and wrote the majority of their material. Their history is defined by two periods, in the early 1970s and the early 1980s. Their genre in music is difficult to define, since they went through radical changes in very short times during the life of the band. However, their best-known era represented a more hard rock/progressive rock sound, exemplified by their only hit
singles
, "Tomorrow Night" (UK
#11) and "The Devil's Answer" (UK
#4), both in 1971.
tour because of keyboardist Vincent Crane's mental illness
. When he recovered, he and drummer Carl Palmer
took the step to leave Arthur Brown and return to England, the return date being Friday 13 June 1969, which was the year of the Rooster in the Chinese calendar
, and arranged a meeting with Brian Jones
to discuss a collaboration. After his death, they adopted the name Atomic Rooster (with influence from the US band Rhinoceros
), and soon recruited Nick Graham
on bass
and vocals. They followed with what had emerged as The Crazy World of Arthur Brown formula of vocals, organ, bass, and drums.
They soon undertook live dates around London; at their first headlining gig the opening act was Deep Purple
. They eventually struck a deal with B & C Records
and began recording their debut album in December 1969. Their first LP, Atomic Roooster was released in February 1970, along with a single, "Friday the 13th". By March, Crane felt it was best that they add a guitar
ist, and recruited John Du Cann
from acid/progressive rock band Andromeda
. However, just as Du Cann joined, Graham left. Du Cann (who played guitar and sang for Andromeda) took over vocal duties, whilst Crane overdubbed the bass lines on his Hammond Organ
with a combination of left hand and foot pedals. Atomic Rooster resumed gigging until the end of June, when Carl Palmer announced his departure to Emerson, Lake & Palmer
. Ric Parnell
filled the drum spot until August, when the young Paul Hammond
was recruited from Farm to the drum spot. They then recorded their second album, Death Walks Behind You
, released in September 1970. Originally it was not commercially successful, as with the first album, but by February 1971, the single, "Tomorrow Night" reached #11 in the UK Singles Chart
, with the album reaching #12 in the UK Albums Chart
. Atomic Rooster made an appearance on the Top of the Pops
, and toured to support their music.
In June 1971, just before they began configuring their line-up once again, the single "Devils Answer" hit #4 in the UK. Atomic Rooster saw considerable popularity, and singer Pete French was brought in at the end of June. They began recording In Hearing of Atomic Rooster
(UK
#18). The sound diverged from Death Walks Behind You though, since French's vocals were much more bluesy, and the music followed suit. Both Du Cann and Hammond were unhappy with this, and left after the album was released to form Daemon (with John Gustafson
and Hard Stuff
, respectively. The latest Atomic Rooster line-up never played any concerts, and replacements were brought in: Steve Bolton
on guitar and Ric Parnell
on drums, who eventually joined the group permanently. This line-up went on tour, including a benefit gig in September, supporting The Who
. At the end of the year, French moved on to join Cactus
. Crane then recruited Chris Farlowe
, at that time in Colosseum
, to take the place of French. They went on tour and recorded another album in spring 1972. They released the album Made In England
along with the single "Stand by Me", now on Dawn
. They were more into soul
at this point, and all the progressive and heavy rock leanings from the other releases had receded. The single did not chart, and the album just barely caught any attention, but touring followed through.
Steve Bolton left at the end of 1972, and was replaced by John Goodsall
, under the name Johnny Mandala. They released the album Nice 'n' Greasy in 1973 with the single "Save Me", and a re-working of "Friday the 13th". This time, it was in a complete funk style. After nearly two years without any hits, Dawn Records dropped the group and Atomic Rooster began to split. After a tour, Farlowe, Mandala and Parnell left. The single "Tell Your Story, Sing Your Song" was released in March 1974 as "Vincent Crane's Atomic Rooster" on Decca
. All subsequent gigs were played by Crane along with members of the blues band Sam Apple Pie
. A final concert was played in February 1975, a benefit gig for the RSPCA. Afterwards, Crane disbanded Atomic Rooster.
's radio broadcasts. In 1978, Crane teamed up with Arthur Brown once again, and in 1979 they released the album Faster Than The Speed of Light. Crane and Brown would also perform a classic rendition of Frankie Vaughan
's "Green Door," dressed in top hat and tails.
John Du Cann dropped the "Du" from his name when he, Paul Hammond and John Gustafson released two albums as Hard Stuff
between 1972 and 1973. Hard Stuff
ended when Hammond suffered injuries in a car accident, and they split. Afterwards, Cann filled in the guitar spot in Thin Lizzy
for a tour in Germany during 1974, before going off the road to write music for ads and jingles in England. In 1977, he recorded a solo album with members of Status Quo and Gillan
, before learning his record company was not going to release it. In 1979, he had a minor hit with his rendition of "Don't Be A Dummy," used in a Levi Jeans
ad. Also in 1977 Paul Hammond played drums with T.H.E., a three piece featuring Pete Newnham (Cockney Rebel/Window) on guitar and vocals, and Mike Marchant (Third Ear Band) on bass and vocals. A single was called "Rudi" was released that year on B&C Records under the name Pete Newnham, which has become a collectors item. That song and two unreleased tracks, "Johnny the Snark and "Play with Fire" now appear on Bored Teenagers #5 from Detour Records.
. The 1980 album, Atomic Rooster, was followed by a tour, however in October Heyman left and Paul Hammond was once again in the drum seat after Ginger Baker
filled in for two weeks. They continued touring and released two singles in 1981 and 1982. However, before their performance at the Reading Festival, Du Cann became absent without official leave. John McCoy
stepped in on bass.
With Du Cann gone, Crane set about a new form of Atomic Rooster. Paul Hammond stayed on and played drums for the following album, recorded in late 1982. Several guitarists played on the album, including David Gilmour
of Pink Floyd
, Bernie Torme
of Gillan
and John Mizarolli. Crane added vocals to the album along with his wife adding backing vocals. A tour of Germany and Italy included Bernie Torme on guitar. Mizarolli played guitar for several U.K. dates. Headline News
was released in June 1983, and featured a completely different sound from anything they had ever done, including electronics and synthesizers. The album was completely written by Vincent Crane, leading some to perceive it as a Crane solo album.
Crane disbanded Atomic Rooster once again at the end of 1983. In 1984, he went on to the project Katmandu with Peter Green
, Ray Dorset
and Jeff Whittaker, and they recorded the album A Case for the Blues
. In 1985, Crane joined Dexys Midnight Runners
, playing piano for their album Don't Stand Me Down
and two singles, one becoming the theme song for the TV series Brush Strokes
.
Dexys Midnight Runners disbanded in 1987 and Crane intended to reform Atomic Rooster with Du Cann once again. A German tour was planned for 1989. However, Crane's mental illness intervened, and he died when he overdosed on painkillers on 14 February 1989. Paul Hammond died in 1992. All members of the band that recorded Death Walks Behind You, have subsequently died. Du Cann (d. September 21, 2011) struck a deal with Angel Air Records
and has overseen the release and re-release of much of his and Atomic Rooster's material, including live recordings, compilations, compilations of unreleased material and album reissues with extra material.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
, composed of former members of the The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Throughout their history, keyboardist Vincent Crane
Vincent Crane
Vincent Crane was a self-taught pianist, who studied theory and composition at Trinity College of Music, and graduated in 1964...
was the only constant member, and wrote the majority of their material. Their history is defined by two periods, in the early 1970s and the early 1980s. Their genre in music is difficult to define, since they went through radical changes in very short times during the life of the band. However, their best-known era represented a more hard rock/progressive rock sound, exemplified by their only hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Tomorrow Night" (UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
#11) and "The Devil's Answer" (UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
#4), both in 1971.
Original period (1969-1975)
In summer 1969, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown had to cease touring in the middle of their second USUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
tour because of keyboardist Vincent Crane's mental illness
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
. When he recovered, he and drummer Carl Palmer
Carl Palmer
Carl Frederick Kendall Palmer is an English drummer and percussionist. He is credited as one of the most respected rock drummers to emerge from the 1960s...
took the step to leave Arthur Brown and return to England, the return date being Friday 13 June 1969, which was the year of the Rooster in the Chinese calendar
Chinese calendar
The Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, incorporating elements of a lunar calendar with those of a solar calendar. It is not exclusive to China, but followed by many other Asian cultures as well...
, and arranged a meeting with Brian Jones
Brian Jones
Lewis Brian Hopkins Jones , known as Brian Jones, was an English musician and a founding member of the Rolling Stones....
to discuss a collaboration. After his death, they adopted the name Atomic Rooster (with influence from the US band Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros (band)
Rhinoceros was a rock band established in 1967 by Elektra Records as that label's intended supergroup. The band, while well respected in many circles, did not live up to the record label's expectations...
), and soon recruited Nick Graham
Nick Graham (musician)
Nick Graham is a British vocalist, songwriter, flautist, pianist and bassist. He was one of the original members of the British progressive rock band Atomic Rooster from 1969-1970.-Bands:...
on bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and vocals. They followed with what had emerged as The Crazy World of Arthur Brown formula of vocals, organ, bass, and drums.
They soon undertook live dates around London; at their first headlining gig the opening act was Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
. They eventually struck a deal with B & C Records
B & C Records
B&C stood for Beat & Commercial and was a British record label run by Trojan Records' owner, Lee Gopthal. It existed primarily between May 1969 and September 1972....
and began recording their debut album in December 1969. Their first LP, Atomic Roooster was released in February 1970, along with a single, "Friday the 13th". By March, Crane felt it was best that they add a guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
ist, and recruited John Du Cann
John Du Cann
John William Cann , later known by his stage name John Du Cann, was a British guitarist primarily known through his work in the 1970s band, Atomic Rooster...
from acid/progressive rock band Andromeda
Andromeda (British band)
Andromeda were an English hard, progressive and psychedelic rock group, that formed in 1968 out of The Attack. However, soon after formation, the band changed lineup, and led by John Du Cann a new line-up recorded their eponymous album in 1969 with backing vocals by Eddie Dyche.The group split...
. However, just as Du Cann joined, Graham left. Du Cann (who played guitar and sang for Andromeda) took over vocal duties, whilst Crane overdubbed the bass lines on his Hammond Organ
Hammond organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
with a combination of left hand and foot pedals. Atomic Rooster resumed gigging until the end of June, when Carl Palmer announced his departure to Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
. Ric Parnell
Ric Parnell
Richard "Ric" J. Parnell is an English rock drummer. Although notable for his work in the band Atomic Rooster, he probably best known for his role as the ill-fated drummer Mick Shrimpton in the film This is Spinal Tap....
filled the drum spot until August, when the young Paul Hammond
Paul Hammond (musician)
Paul Hammond was an English rock drummer, best known for his time with the progressive rock band Atomic Rooster.-Career:Born in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, Hammond began playing drums aged 12, and joined his first band, The Farm, after winning a competition in the Melody Maker music newspaper...
was recruited from Farm to the drum spot. They then recorded their second album, Death Walks Behind You
Death Walks Behind You
Death Walks Behind You is the second studio album by British rock band Atomic Rooster. It was their first album to receive US release, albeit in a different sleeve. It is commonly thought of as the archetypal Atomic Rooster album, recorded by the 'classic' line-up of Vincent Crane, John Du Cann and...
, released in September 1970. Originally it was not commercially successful, as with the first album, but by February 1971, the single, "Tomorrow Night" reached #11 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, with the album reaching #12 in the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
. Atomic Rooster made an appearance on the Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
, and toured to support their music.
In June 1971, just before they began configuring their line-up once again, the single "Devils Answer" hit #4 in the UK. Atomic Rooster saw considerable popularity, and singer Pete French was brought in at the end of June. They began recording In Hearing of Atomic Rooster
In Hearing of Atomic Rooster
In Hearing of is the third album by British rock band Atomic Rooster. Although not included on the album, "The Devil's Answer" single was released just prior to it, becoming the band's highest chart success at number 4 in the UK...
(UK
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#18). The sound diverged from Death Walks Behind You though, since French's vocals were much more bluesy, and the music followed suit. Both Du Cann and Hammond were unhappy with this, and left after the album was released to form Daemon (with John Gustafson
John Gustafson (musician)
John "Gus" Gustafson also known as Johnny Gustafson is an influential bass player who has had a thirty eight year recording and live performance career...
and Hard Stuff
Hard Stuff
Hard Stuff was an English hard rock group, which included John Du Cann and Paul Hammond, formerly of Atomic Rooster...
, respectively. The latest Atomic Rooster line-up never played any concerts, and replacements were brought in: Steve Bolton
Steve Bolton
Steve Bolton, also known as "Boltz" Bolton, is an English rock musician who, since the start of his career in the 1960s, has played guitar on video, film and television and recorded as well as toured with a number of well-known artists.-Music career:A native of Manchester, Steve Bolton played with...
on guitar and Ric Parnell
Ric Parnell
Richard "Ric" J. Parnell is an English rock drummer. Although notable for his work in the band Atomic Rooster, he probably best known for his role as the ill-fated drummer Mick Shrimpton in the film This is Spinal Tap....
on drums, who eventually joined the group permanently. This line-up went on tour, including a benefit gig in September, supporting The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
. At the end of the year, French moved on to join Cactus
Cactus (band)
Cactus is an American hard rock supergroup, formed in 1970.-Biography:Cactus was initially conceived as early as late 1969 by the Vanilla Fudge rhythm section of bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice with guitarist Jeff Beck and Xylophone player Adele Smitchell acted as the counterpart and...
. Crane then recruited Chris Farlowe
Chris Farlowe
Chris Farlowe is an English rock, blues and soul singer. He is best known for his hit single "Out of Time", which rose to #1 in the UK Singles Chart in 1966, and his association with Colosseum and the Thunderbirds.Outside his music career, Farlowe collects war memorabilia.-Career:Inspired by Lonnie...
, at that time in Colosseum
Colosseum (band)
Colosseum is a pioneering British progressive jazz-rock band, mixing progressive rock and jazz-based improvisation.-History 1968 - 1971:The band was formed in September 1968 by drummer Jon Hiseman, tenor sax player Dick Heckstall-Smith and bass player Tony Reeves, who had previously worked together...
, to take the place of French. They went on tour and recorded another album in spring 1972. They released the album Made In England
Made in England (Atomic Rooster album)
Made in England is the fourth album by British rock band Atomic Rooster. Although previously known for generally having a progressive rock style, this album saw the band moving in more of a funk/soul direction, largely influenced by new singer Chris Farlowe...
along with the single "Stand by Me", now on Dawn
Dawn Records
Dawn Records was a subsidiary of Pye Records. Active from 1970 to 1975, it was set up largely as Pye's 'underground and progressive' label, a rival of the EMI and Phonogram equivalents, Harvest and Vertigo....
. They were more into soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
at this point, and all the progressive and heavy rock leanings from the other releases had receded. The single did not chart, and the album just barely caught any attention, but touring followed through.
Steve Bolton left at the end of 1972, and was replaced by John Goodsall
John Goodsall
John Goodsall is a progressive rock & jazz fusion guitarist most noted for his work with Brand X, Atomic Rooster and Fire Merchants.Goodsall was born in Pennsylvania and has lived in Los Angeles, England, Milan and Minnesota. He began playing guitar at age 7...
, under the name Johnny Mandala. They released the album Nice 'n' Greasy in 1973 with the single "Save Me", and a re-working of "Friday the 13th". This time, it was in a complete funk style. After nearly two years without any hits, Dawn Records dropped the group and Atomic Rooster began to split. After a tour, Farlowe, Mandala and Parnell left. The single "Tell Your Story, Sing Your Song" was released in March 1974 as "Vincent Crane's Atomic Rooster" on Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
. All subsequent gigs were played by Crane along with members of the blues band Sam Apple Pie
Sam Apple Pie
Sam Apple Pie were a British blues-rock band, of the late 1960s and 1970s, noted for having played at the first Glastonbury Festival in 1970, and for playing a role in the early careers of several musicians including Gary Fletcher, Dave Charles and Malcolm Morley.-Biography:Formed in Walthamstow,...
. A final concert was played in February 1975, a benefit gig for the RSPCA. Afterwards, Crane disbanded Atomic Rooster.
During hiatus (1975-1979)
In the meantime, Vincent Crane put together the music for a number of plays and musicals in England between 1976 and 1977, including two of Peter GreenPeter Green (musician)
Peter Green is a British blues-rock guitarist and the founder of the band Fleetwood Mac...
's radio broadcasts. In 1978, Crane teamed up with Arthur Brown once again, and in 1979 they released the album Faster Than The Speed of Light. Crane and Brown would also perform a classic rendition of Frankie Vaughan
Frankie Vaughan
Frankie Vaughan, CBE, DL was an English singer of traditional pop music, who issued more than 80 recordings in his lifetime. He was known as "Mr. Moonlight" after one of his early hits.-Life and career:...
's "Green Door," dressed in top hat and tails.
John Du Cann dropped the "Du" from his name when he, Paul Hammond and John Gustafson released two albums as Hard Stuff
Hard Stuff
Hard Stuff was an English hard rock group, which included John Du Cann and Paul Hammond, formerly of Atomic Rooster...
between 1972 and 1973. Hard Stuff
Hard Stuff
Hard Stuff was an English hard rock group, which included John Du Cann and Paul Hammond, formerly of Atomic Rooster...
ended when Hammond suffered injuries in a car accident, and they split. Afterwards, Cann filled in the guitar spot in Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
for a tour in Germany during 1974, before going off the road to write music for ads and jingles in England. In 1977, he recorded a solo album with members of Status Quo and Gillan
Gillan
Gillan was a rock band formed in 1978 by Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan.-History:In 1978 Ian Gillan had become dissatisfied with the jazz fusion style of his band called the Ian Gillan Band and dissolved it, retaining only keyboard player Colin Towns, and formed a new band entitled Gillan...
, before learning his record company was not going to release it. In 1979, he had a minor hit with his rendition of "Don't Be A Dummy," used in a Levi Jeans
Levi Strauss & Co.
Levi Strauss & Co. is a privately held American clothing company known worldwide for its Levi's brand of denim jeans. It was founded in 1853 when Levi Strauss came from Buttenheim, Franconia, to San Francisco, California to open a west coast branch of his brothers' New York dry goods business...
ad. Also in 1977 Paul Hammond played drums with T.H.E., a three piece featuring Pete Newnham (Cockney Rebel/Window) on guitar and vocals, and Mike Marchant (Third Ear Band) on bass and vocals. A single was called "Rudi" was released that year on B&C Records under the name Pete Newnham, which has become a collectors item. That song and two unreleased tracks, "Johnny the Snark and "Play with Fire" now appear on Bored Teenagers #5 from Detour Records.
Reformation period (1980-1983)
During 1980, Crane contacted Cann and after some discussion, got an Atomic Rooster reformation under way, with Cann reverting to his full surname again, as per the earlier incarnation of the band. They recruited session drummer Preston Heyman and recorded an album, along with one 7/12" single, on EMI RecordsEMI Records
EMI Records is the flagship record label founded by the EMI company in 1972 and launched in January 1973 as the successor to its Columbia label. The EMI label was launched worldwide...
. The 1980 album, Atomic Rooster, was followed by a tour, however in October Heyman left and Paul Hammond was once again in the drum seat after Ginger Baker
Ginger Baker
Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker is an English drummer, best known for his work with Cream and Blind Faith. He is also known for his numerous associations with World music, mainly the use of African influences...
filled in for two weeks. They continued touring and released two singles in 1981 and 1982. However, before their performance at the Reading Festival, Du Cann became absent without official leave. John McCoy
John McCoy (musician)
John McCoy is a British bass guitarist who is best known for his work with Ian Gillan and Mammoth as well as numerous other bands and sessions since the late 1960s. He currently plays in British rock trio Guy McCoy Torme with former Gillan/Ozzy guitarist Bernie Torme and Bruce Dickinson/Sack Trick...
stepped in on bass.
With Du Cann gone, Crane set about a new form of Atomic Rooster. Paul Hammond stayed on and played drums for the following album, recorded in late 1982. Several guitarists played on the album, including David Gilmour
David Gilmour
David Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
of Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, Bernie Torme
Bernie Tormé
Bernie Tormé is a rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, record label and recording studio owner.-Early career:...
of Gillan
Gillan
Gillan was a rock band formed in 1978 by Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan.-History:In 1978 Ian Gillan had become dissatisfied with the jazz fusion style of his band called the Ian Gillan Band and dissolved it, retaining only keyboard player Colin Towns, and formed a new band entitled Gillan...
and John Mizarolli. Crane added vocals to the album along with his wife adding backing vocals. A tour of Germany and Italy included Bernie Torme on guitar. Mizarolli played guitar for several U.K. dates. Headline News
Headline News (album)
Headline News is the seventh and last studio album by British rock band Atomic Rooster.It has been released on CD several times: firstly in 1994 on Voiceprint, secondly in 1997 on Blueprint and in 2002 on Eagle. In 2004 it was repackaged by Dutch label MCP as Future Shock...
was released in June 1983, and featured a completely different sound from anything they had ever done, including electronics and synthesizers. The album was completely written by Vincent Crane, leading some to perceive it as a Crane solo album.
Crane disbanded Atomic Rooster once again at the end of 1983. In 1984, he went on to the project Katmandu with Peter Green
Peter Green (musician)
Peter Green is a British blues-rock guitarist and the founder of the band Fleetwood Mac...
, Ray Dorset
Ray Dorset
Ray Dorset is an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and founder of Mungo Jerry...
and Jeff Whittaker, and they recorded the album A Case for the Blues
A Case for the Blues
-Credits:*Peter Green – vocals, guitar, harmonica, drums*Ray Dorset – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, harmonica*Vincent Crane – keyboards*Len Surtees – bass guitar*Greg Terry-Short – drums*Jeff Whittaker – vocals, percussion, drums...
. In 1985, Crane joined Dexys Midnight Runners
Dexys Midnight Runners
Dexys Midnight Runners are a British pop group with soul influences, who achieved their major success in the early to mid 1980s. They are best known for their songs "Come On Eileen" and "Geno", both of which went No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart....
, playing piano for their album Don't Stand Me Down
Don't Stand Me Down
Don't Stand Me Down is the third studio album by Dexys Midnight Runners, released in September 1985 .-Recording:In an interview with HitQuarters saxophonist Nick Gatfield described the recording as a "long drawn out painful process"...
and two singles, one becoming the theme song for the TV series Brush Strokes
Brush Strokes
Brush Strokes is a British television sitcom, broadcast on BBC television from 1986 to 1991. Written by Esmonde and Larbey and set in South London, it depicted the amorous adventures of a good-looking, wisecracking house painter, Jacko...
.
Dexys Midnight Runners disbanded in 1987 and Crane intended to reform Atomic Rooster with Du Cann once again. A German tour was planned for 1989. However, Crane's mental illness intervened, and he died when he overdosed on painkillers on 14 February 1989. Paul Hammond died in 1992. All members of the band that recorded Death Walks Behind You, have subsequently died. Du Cann (d. September 21, 2011) struck a deal with Angel Air Records
Angel Air Records
Angel Air Records is an English independent record label established in February 1997, specialising in reissues of classic pop and rock albums originally issued in the 1960s and 70s and latterly new albums from known artists up to the 21st century, formed by Peter and Shirley Purnell...
and has overseen the release and re-release of much of his and Atomic Rooster's material, including live recordings, compilations, compilations of unreleased material and album reissues with extra material.
Albums
| Date of release | Title | Peak US United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... position |
Peak UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... position |
|---|---|---|---|
Death Walks Behind You Death Walks Behind You is the second studio album by British rock band Atomic Rooster. It was their first album to receive US release, albeit in a different sleeve. It is commonly thought of as the archetypal Atomic Rooster album, recorded by the 'classic' line-up of Vincent Crane, John Du Cann and... |
|||
In Hearing of Atomic Rooster In Hearing of is the third album by British rock band Atomic Rooster. Although not included on the album, "The Devil's Answer" single was released just prior to it, becoming the band's highest chart success at number 4 in the UK... |
|||
Made in England (Atomic Rooster album) Made in England is the fourth album by British rock band Atomic Rooster. Although previously known for generally having a progressive rock style, this album saw the band moving in more of a funk/soul direction, largely influenced by new singer Chris Farlowe... |
|||
Nice 'n' Greasy Nice 'n' Greasy is the fifth studio album by British rock band Atomic Rooster.In the US, the record was issued on Elektra in a different sleeve to most territories and retitled Atomic Rooster IV, as their first album, Atomic Roooster, failed to secure a US release. The US album also had a somewhat... |
|||
Atomic Rooster (1980 album) Atomic Rooster is the sixth studio album by British rock band Atomic Rooster. It was recorded when the band regrouped after breaking up for five years, and they embarked on a raw style which was in marked contrast to that of their past few albums... |
|||
Headline News (album) Headline News is the seventh and last studio album by British rock band Atomic Rooster.It has been released on CD several times: firstly in 1994 on Voiceprint, secondly in 1997 on Blueprint and in 2002 on Eagle. In 2004 it was repackaged by Dutch label MCP as Future Shock... |
Live albums
- BBC Radio 1 Live in ConcertBBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (Atomic Rooster album)BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert is a live album by British rock band Atomic Rooster. It consists of a specially-recorded, short concert staged at the BBC's Paris Theatre on 27th February 1972....
1972 (1993) - Devil's Answer 1970-81 BBC RadioBBC RadioBBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
sessions (1998) - Live and Raw 70/71 (2000)
- Live in Germany 1983 (2000)
- Live at the Marquee 1980 (2002)
Compilation albums
- Assortment (1974)
- Home to Roost (1977)
- The Devil Hits Back (1989)
- Space Cowboy (1991)
- The Best of Atomic Rooster Volumes 1 & 2The Best of Atomic Rooster Volumes 1 & 2The Best of Atomic Rooster Volumes 1 & 2 is a double compilation album by British rock band Atomic Rooster.It is unofficial and unlicensed; like numerous other such collections, it consists mostly of latter-era, John Du Cann-penned recordings...
(1992) - In Satan's Name: The Definitive CollectionIn Satan's Name: The Definitive CollectionIn Satan's Name: The Definitive Collection is a 1997 compilation album by British rock band Atomic Rooster. It was released on the Recall Records label ....
(1997) - The First 10 Explosive Years (1999)
- RaritiesRarities (Atomic Rooster album)Rarities is a compilation album of rare and unreleased material by the British rock band Atomic Rooster.Whilst being a very good compilation for fans of the band, it includes several unlicensed tracks whose copyright is owned variously by Elektra, EMI, Sanctuary catalogues and Polydor Records...
(2000) - The First 10 Explosive Years Volume 2 (2001)
- Heavy Soul (2001)
- HomeworkHomework (Atomic Rooster album)Homework is an album of previously unreleased demos by John Du Cann, with drum programming by Paul Hammond.In 1981, the recently-reformed Atomic Rooster signed to Polydor Records to release two singles, with the option of an album to follow, should the singles prove successful...
(2008) - Close Your Eyes: A Collection 1965-1986 (2008; released under the name Vincent CraneVincent CraneVincent Crane was a self-taught pianist, who studied theory and composition at Trinity College of Music, and graduated in 1964...
) - Anthology 1969-81 (2009)
Box sets
- Resurrection (2001) - Akarma unlicensed CD reissues of first three albums, with 24-page illustrated booklet
- Devil's Answer: The Singles Collection (2006) - reissue of first six UK singles on 7" or individual CDs
UK singles
- "Friday the 13th" / "Banstead" - B&C CB121 (February 1970)
- "Tomorrow Night" / "Play the Game" - B&C CB131 (January 1971) - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#11 - "Devil's Answer" / "The Rock" - B&C CB157 (June 1971) - UK #4
- "Stand by Me" / "Never to Lose" - DawnDawn RecordsDawn Records was a subsidiary of Pye Records. Active from 1970 to 1975, it was set up largely as Pye's 'underground and progressive' label, a rival of the EMI and Phonogram equivalents, Harvest and Vertigo....
DNS1027 (1972) - "Save Me" / "Close Your Eyes" - Dawn DNS1029 (November 1972) - A-side is rerecorded, retitled "Friday the 13th"
- "Can't Find a Reason" / "Moods" (credited to 'Farlow [sic.]/Crane') Dawn DNS1034 (1973)
- "Tell Your Story (Sing Your Song)" / "O.D." (credited to 'Vincent Crane's Atomic Rooster') - DeccaDecca RecordsDecca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
FR13503 (March 1974) - "Do You Know Who's Looking for You?" / "Throw Your Life Away" (plus 12" with extended A-side) - EMIEMI RecordsEMI Records is the flagship record label founded by the EMI company in 1972 and launched in January 1973 as the successor to its Columbia label. The EMI label was launched worldwide...
EMI5084 / 12EMI5084 (June 1980) - "Play It Again" / "Start to Live" aka "Rebel with a Clause" (plus 12" with "Devil's Answer" live in Milan 1981) - PolydorPolydor RecordsPolydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
POSP334 / POSPX334 (September 1981) - "End of the Day" / "Living Underground" aka "Night Living" (plus 12" with "Tomorrow Night" live studio rerecording 1981) - Polydor POSP408 / POSPX408 (February 1982)
- "Land of Freedom" / "Carnival" (plus 12" with extended A-side) - Towerbell Records TOW37 / 12TOW37 (May 1983)
See also
- Progressive rockProgressive rockProgressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
- Roger Dean - features two album cover images
- Richard Wahnfried - Crane recorded one album with this project
External links
- Atomic Rooster at Angelfire "Where are they now?"
- Discography
- Ginger Baker website
- Atomic Rooster at Dawn Records