Carl Palmer
Encyclopedia
Carl Frederick Kendall Palmer (born 20 March 1950, Handsworth
, Birmingham
, England
) is an English
drummer
and percussionist
. He is credited as one of the most respected rock
drummers to emerge from the 1960s. In addition, Palmer is a veteran of a number of famous English
bands, including The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Atomic Rooster
, Emerson, Lake & Palmer
, and Asia
.
, and their original drummer was Drachen Theaker. However, Theaker suffered from aviophobia, and this meant he could not tour with his bandmates when the time arose for them to tour overseas. Thus, Theaker was the drummer on the band's eponymous album, but afterwards, Palmer took his place, and became a permanent member of the band.
After meeting up with a pair of other English musicians, Greg Lake
, and Keith Emerson
, the young musicians felt an "immediate chemistry", and by 1970, formed a band. In naming the new group, the trio chose their last names
alphabetically as the band's name, Emerson, Lake & Palmer
, also shortened to ELP. It was arguably the most successful band in his career. Palmer remained with ELP until they eventually disbanded in 1980. They developed a sound that merged art rock
, jazz
, electronica
, pop rock
and classical music
and found fans within their peers and the public alike. During that time Palmer released only one single of his own developing a solo career that he managed alongside ELP, and other future bands, for the remainder of his career.
, Philly Joe Jones
, Art Blakey
, Gene Krupa
and Buddy Rich
. Inspiration from their techniques can be heard in his own drumming style, which was initially influenced more from jazz than any other genre. Known for his technical prowess, another of Palmer's trademarks included solos in many of his performances. His later work in Asia
saw a more basic approach, although he began to play double bass drums more frequently during that period, and was one of the first drummers to be inducted into the Modern Drummer Magazine Hall of Fame.
In 1973, Palmer commissioned British Steel
to design a custom stainless steel drum kit using one-half inch thick shells, the only off-the-shelf equipment were the hoops manufactured by Gretsch
. He also had a jeweler engrave the shells with various animals. The kit, along with other percussion instruments and a rotating platform, had a total weight of approximately 2.5 tons and many of the stages on tour had to be reinforced as well as some venues cancelling the shows because of it. Also, the kit was electronically designed to be "synthesized" to sound like electronic drums.
Paiste
brass drum kit
Palmer also used a brass drum kit manufactured by Paiste
, which is built from 2002 model cymbal brass.
Ludwig
Vistalite drum kit
He owns also a Ludwig kit with blue Vistalite shells.
Ludwig
signature "Venus" snare drum
In 2011 Ludwig
released his "Signature Venus snare drum", made of a green-lacquered brass shell with a 3.7" depth and a 14" diameter.
and uses this cymbal setup :
produces his signature drumsticks. They are made of American Hickory, with a quite short length (15 7/8") and a diameter between a 5A and a 5B (0.579").
, a box set, as well as several DVDs and the subsequent tours. A one-off ELP performance at the 2010 High Voltage Festival celebrated the 40th anniversary of forming the band.
Following the 1998 break-up of ELP, Palmer worked with Asia
's John Wetton
in the band Qango, and subsequently toured with his 'Carl Palmer Band' featuring Paul Bielatowicz on guitar and Stuart Clayton on bass. In addition to these tours, he has released four "new" albums, most notably Working Live Vol. I & II as well as an anthology album.
Palmer recently toured with the original line-up of Asia, celebrating their 25th anniversary. A live album and DVD
from the tour, entitled Fantasia was released by Eagle Rock Records
.
Handsworth, West Midlands
Handsworth is an inner city area of Birmingham in the West Midlands, England. The Local Government Act 1894 divided the ancient Staffordshire parish of Handsworth into two urban districts: Handsworth and Perry Barr. Handsworth was annexed to the county borough of Birmingham in Warwickshire in 1911...
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England
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...
) is an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
and percussionist
Percussion instrument
A percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
. He is credited as one of the most respected rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
drummers to emerge from the 1960s. In addition, Palmer is a veteran of a number of famous English
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...
bands, including The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Atomic Rooster
Atomic Rooster
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...
, 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...
, and Asia
Asia (band)
Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a supergroup as it included former members of several veteran progressive rock bands, namely John Wetton , Geoff Downes , Steve Howe and Carl Palmer Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a...
.
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown was founded by Arthur BrownArthur Brown (musician)
Arthur Brown is an English rock and roll musician best known for his flamboyant, theatrical style and significant influence on Alice Cooper, Peter Gabriel, Marilyn Manson, George Clinton, Kiss, King Diamond, and Bruce Dickinson, among others, and for his number one hit in the UK Singles Chart and...
, and their original drummer was Drachen Theaker. However, Theaker suffered from aviophobia, and this meant he could not tour with his bandmates when the time arose for them to tour overseas. Thus, Theaker was the drummer on the band's eponymous album, but afterwards, Palmer took his place, and became a permanent member of the band.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Greg Lake
Gregory Stuart "Greg" Lake is an English musician, songwriter and producer, best known as a vocalist and bassist of King Crimson, and the bassist, guitarist, vocalist, and lyricist of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.-1960s: King Crimson:...
, and Keith Emerson
Keith Emerson
Keith Noel Emerson is an English keyboard player and composer. Formerly a member of the Keith Emerson Trio, John Brown's Bodies, The T-Bones, V.I.P.s, P.P. Arnold's backing band, and The Nice , he was a founder of Emerson, Lake & Palmer , one of the early supergroups, in 1970...
, the young musicians felt an "immediate chemistry", and by 1970, formed a band. In naming the new group, the trio chose their last names
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
alphabetically as the band's name, 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...
, also shortened to ELP. It was arguably the most successful band in his career. Palmer remained with ELP until they eventually disbanded in 1980. They developed a sound that merged art rock
Art rock
Art rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, with influences from art, avant-garde, and classical music. The first usage of the term, according to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, was in 1968. Influenced by the work of The Beatles, most notably their Sgt...
, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
, pop rock
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
and classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
and found fans within their peers and the public alike. During that time Palmer released only one single of his own developing a solo career that he managed alongside ELP, and other future bands, for the remainder of his career.
Influences
Having played with a variety of bands, including various anonymous schoolboy bands as a youth, Palmer's style was developed from a wide range of musical influences. Among Palmer's early drumming influences were Joe MorelloJoe Morello
Joseph Albert Morello was a jazz drummer best known for his 12½-year stint with The Dave Brubeck Quartet. He was frequently noted for playing in the unusual time signatures employed by that group in such pieces as "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo à la Turk"...
, Philly Joe Jones
Philly Joe Jones
Joseph Rudolph Jones was a Philadelphia-born United States jazz drummer, known as the drummer for the Miles Davis Quintet.Philly Joe Jones was often confused with another influential jazz drummer, Jo Jones...
, Art Blakey
Art Blakey
Arthur "Art" Blakey , known later as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina, was an American Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer and bandleader. He was a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community....
, Gene Krupa
Gene Krupa
Gene Krupa was an American jazz and big band drummer and composer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style.-Biography:...
and Buddy Rich
Buddy Rich
Bernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
. Inspiration from their techniques can be heard in his own drumming style, which was initially influenced more from jazz than any other genre. Known for his technical prowess, another of Palmer's trademarks included solos in many of his performances. His later work in Asia
Asia (band)
Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a supergroup as it included former members of several veteran progressive rock bands, namely John Wetton , Geoff Downes , Steve Howe and Carl Palmer Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a...
saw a more basic approach, although he began to play double bass drums more frequently during that period, and was one of the first drummers to be inducted into the Modern Drummer Magazine Hall of Fame.
Drums
Stainless steel drum kitIn 1973, Palmer commissioned British Steel
British Steel
British Steel was a major British steel producer. It originated as a nationalised industry, the British Steel Corporation , formed in 1967. This was converted to a public limited company, British Steel PLC, and privatised in 1988. It was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index...
to design a custom stainless steel drum kit using one-half inch thick shells, the only off-the-shelf equipment were the hoops manufactured by Gretsch
Gretsch
The Gretsch Company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a twenty-seven year old German immigrant recently arrived in the US. Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums, until his death in 1895. His son, Fred, moved operations to Brooklyn, New York in 1916...
. He also had a jeweler engrave the shells with various animals. The kit, along with other percussion instruments and a rotating platform, had a total weight of approximately 2.5 tons and many of the stages on tour had to be reinforced as well as some venues cancelling the shows because of it. Also, the kit was electronically designed to be "synthesized" to sound like electronic drums.
Paiste
Paiste
Paiste, a Swiss manufacturer and designer, is the world's third largest manufacturer of cymbals, gongs, and metal percussion. Paiste is an Estonian/Finnish word which means "shine"...
brass drum kit
Palmer also used a brass drum kit manufactured by Paiste
Paiste
Paiste, a Swiss manufacturer and designer, is the world's third largest manufacturer of cymbals, gongs, and metal percussion. Paiste is an Estonian/Finnish word which means "shine"...
, which is built from 2002 model cymbal brass.
Ludwig
Ludwig
Ludwig may refer to:* Ludwig , a German name* Ludwig , a German surname* Ludwig , a 1972 film by Luchino Visconti about Ludwig II of Bavaria* Ludwig , a 1977 animated children's series...
Vistalite drum kit
He owns also a Ludwig kit with blue Vistalite shells.
Ludwig
Ludwig may refer to:* Ludwig , a German name* Ludwig , a German surname* Ludwig , a 1972 film by Luchino Visconti about Ludwig II of Bavaria* Ludwig , a 1977 animated children's series...
signature "Venus" snare drum
In 2011 Ludwig
Ludwig
Ludwig may refer to:* Ludwig , a German name* Ludwig , a German surname* Ludwig , a 1972 film by Luchino Visconti about Ludwig II of Bavaria* Ludwig , a 1977 animated children's series...
released his "Signature Venus snare drum", made of a green-lacquered brass shell with a 3.7" depth and a 14" diameter.
Cymbals
Carl is currently endorsed by PaistePaiste
Paiste, a Swiss manufacturer and designer, is the world's third largest manufacturer of cymbals, gongs, and metal percussion. Paiste is an Estonian/Finnish word which means "shine"...
and uses this cymbal setup :
- 5" 2002 Cup Chime
- 13" Signature Heavy Hi-Hat
- 6" 2002 Cup Chime
- 18" Signature Power Crash
- 20" Signature Heavy Bell Ride
- 20" Signature Power Crash
- 13" 2002 Sound Edge Hi-Hat
- 6" 2002 Bell Chime
- 22" 2002 China
Sticks
Pro-MarkPro-Mark
Pro-Mark is a Houston, Texas-based American drumstick company owned by founder Herb Brochstein. It is a widely known stick company generally played in drum set, drum and bugle corps and concert bands.-History:...
produces his signature drumsticks. They are made of American Hickory, with a quite short length (15 7/8") and a diameter between a 5A and a 5B (0.579").
Reunions
Palmer later rejoined the newly reformed ELP in 1992 for Black Moon, In the Hot SeatIn the Hot Seat
In The Hot Seat is a studio album by progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer released in 1994. Keith Emerson had nerve problems in his right hand, which made it almost impossible to play the keyboards...
, a box set, as well as several DVDs and the subsequent tours. A one-off ELP performance at the 2010 High Voltage Festival celebrated the 40th anniversary of forming the band.
Following the 1998 break-up of ELP, Palmer worked with Asia
Asia (band)
Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a supergroup as it included former members of several veteran progressive rock bands, namely John Wetton , Geoff Downes , Steve Howe and Carl Palmer Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a...
's John Wetton
John Wetton
John Kenneth Wetton is an English bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth. He has been a professional musician since the late 1960s...
in the band Qango, and subsequently toured with his 'Carl Palmer Band' featuring Paul Bielatowicz on guitar and Stuart Clayton on bass. In addition to these tours, he has released four "new" albums, most notably Working Live Vol. I & II as well as an anthology album.
Recent years
In recent years, Palmer has performed a series of drum clinics across the UK, Europe and United States. Highlights of Palmer's live drum solo over the years have included the use of both gongs and tambourines, and also his ability to extract himself from his t-shirt while playing complex double bass drum patterns; the latter leaving him stripped to the waist to play the final part of his show. The removal of his shirt was a major attraction in Palmer's drum solos during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. On recent tours, however, his shirt has remained on throughout his performances. Palmer is a patron of the British 'Classic Rock Society' which promotes Progressive Rock concerts.Palmer recently toured with the original line-up of Asia, celebrating their 25th anniversary. A live album and DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
from the tour, entitled Fantasia was released by Eagle Rock Records
Eagle Rock Records
Eagle Rock Records is one of the record labels of Eagle Rock Entertainment.-External links:* * ]]...
.
Solo
- 2001 - Anthology
- 2002 - In a World with Bob Ross The Black Cat Demands the Unknown
- 2003 - Working Live - Volume 1
- 2004 - Working Live - Volume 2
- 2006 - In Concert: Carl Palmer plays the Music of ELP (DVD)
External links
- 2006 Carl Palmer interview
- Official site
- Official Asia Reunion website
- Forrester, George, Martyn Hanson and Frank Askew. Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Show That Never Ends, A Musical Biography. (2001) Helter Skelter Publishing ISBN 1-900924-17-X.