Camel

Camel are a progressive rock band from Guildford, United Kingdom, formed in 1971 and active from 1971 to the present. They are led by guitarist Andrew Latimer and are associated with art rock, Canterbury scene, progressive pop, psychedelic rock and rock.

Formation and early years

The group forms in Guildford in 1971 with Andrew Latimer, drummer Andy Ward, bassist Doug Ferguson and keyboardist Peter Bardens. Latimer, Ward and Ferguson have previously played locally as a trio called Brew and work as a backing band for singer-songwriter Phillip Goodhand-Tait, including on his 1971 album I Think I'll Write a Song. After that collaboration ends, they recruit Bardens after advertising for a keyboardist. The band travels to Ireland to complete contractual obligations linked to Bardens’ former group On, then adopts the name Camel. Their first live performance under that name takes place in December 1971 in London, supporting Wishbone Ash.

1970s albums and line-up changes

Camel begin touring regularly in 1972 and sign to MCA Records the same year. Their debut album, Camel, appears in 1973 and is followed by a move to Deram Records, a division of Decca Records in the United Kingdom. Mirage appears in 1974, with Latimer also playing flute, and gains success in the United States. In 1975 the band release The Snow Goose, an instrumental concept album inspired by a short story by Paul Gallico. The album leads to legal action over copyright, and the reissue is amended to say “Music inspired by...” with the story notes removed. Its success leads to a performance at the Royal Albert Hall with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Moonmadness follows in 1976 and is the last studio album by the original line-up. Mel Collins, formerly of King Crimson, joins on saxophone and flute for touring, and Andy Ward pushes for a more jazz-oriented direction. Doug Ferguson leaves in 1977 and later forms Headwaiter and works as a property developer. Richard Sinclair, formerly of Caravan, replaces him, with Collins joining in an official capacity. This line-up records Rain Dances in 1977 and Breathless in 1978.

Peter Bardens leaves before the tour for Breathless and is replaced by Dave Sinclair and Jan Schelhaas, both also formerly of Caravan. After the tour, Dave Sinclair and Richard Sinclair leave and are replaced by Kit Watkins and Colin Bass. This line-up records I Can See Your House from Here in 1979. The album’s cover uses a manipulated Gered Mankowitz photograph of a crucified astronaut looking at Earth.

1980s, hiatus and independent releases

In 1981 Camel release Nude, a concept album based on the story of Japanese soldier Hiroo Onoda. Duncan Mackay performs most of the keyboard parts in place of Watkins and Schelhaas, who are working on other projects but return for the tour. It is the first Camel album to feature lyrics by Susan Hoover. In mid-1981 Andy Ward stops playing drums because of alcohol and drug-related issues, and the band quietly disbands.

Still under contract and under pressure from Decca for a hit record, Latimer works with guest and session musicians at Abbey Road Studios in 1982 to record The Single Factor, which reaches number 57 in the UK chart. A further line-up with Ton Scherpenzeel on keyboards and Paul Burgess on drums releases Stationary Traveller in 1984. The Decca contract expires later that year, Latimer becomes involved in a legal dispute with a former manager, and he moves to the United States, after which the band disbands again.

Return in the 1990s and 2000s

After a seven-year break, Latimer revives Camel in 1991 and releases Dust and Dreams on the independent label Camel Productions. Several musicians who appear on earlier 1980s recordings also contribute. Keyboardist Mickey Simmonds joins in 1992. Latimer and Susan Hoover write Harbour of Tears, released in 1996 and referring to Cobh Harbour in Ireland, from which many people emigrate during the Great Famine. In 1999 Latimer, drummer Dave Stewart, bassist Colin Bass and keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel record Rajaz, an album inspired by an Arabic poetic metre that reflects the rhythm of camel footsteps in the desert. In 2001 Latimer assembles another line-up with Bass, drummer Denis Clement and keyboardist Guy LeBlanc. The band release A Nod and a Wink in 2002, dedicated to former member Peter Bardens, who dies that year.

Later activity and recognition

Camel remain inactive for much of the following decade while Latimer receives treatment for myelofibrosis. After his recovery, the band return to touring in 2013 and perform The Snow Goose in full. A new version of that album also appears in 2013. LeBlanc withdraws from touring in 2014 because of illness and dies in 2015; Ton Scherpenzeel returns in his place. Latimer receives a Lifetime Achievement award at the Orange Amplification Progressive Music Awards in 2014. Camel continue to tour through the decade, and a live recording from the Royal Albert Hall appears in 2020. The band do not release a studio album after 2002, though Latimer continues to write music.

Members and influence

Members associated with Camel include Doug Ferguson, Peter Bardens, Andy Ward, Andrew Latimer, Mel Collins, Richard Sinclair, Jan Schelhaas, Kit Watkins, Colin Bass, Paul Burgess, Ton Scherpenzeel, Guy LeBlanc, Peter Jones, Denis Clement, David Paton, Chris Rainbow and Stuart Tosh. Their music influences artists including Marillion, Opeth and Steven Wilson. Music journalist Mark Blake describes the band as “the great unsung heroes of 70s prog rock”.