The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown are an English rock band formed by singer Arthur Brown in 1967. The original lineup included Vincent Crane (Hammond organ and piano), Drachen Theaker (drums), and Nick Greenwood (bass). This early incarnation were noted for Crane’s organ and brass arrangements and Brown’s wide-ranging operatic vocal style. Brown also became known for a distinctive stage persona featuring elaborate facepaint, theatrical movement and dance, costume changes, and the use of a burning helmet.
Their song "Fire", released as a single in 1968, sold more than one million copies and was awarded a gold disc. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and in Canada, and number two on the US Billboard Hot 100. The group’s debut album, "The Crazy World of Arthur Brown", reached number two in the UK, number six in Canada, and number seven in the United States. Following the success of "Fire", the press often referred to Brown as "The God of Hellfire", a nickname derived from the song’s opening line.
During the late 1960s, the band’s popularity led them to share bills with artists including the Who, Jimi Hendrix, the Mothers of Invention, the Doors, the Small Faces, and Joe Cocker. Their second studio album, "Strangelands", was intended for release in 1969 but was shelved by their record label and was not issued until 1988. The band broke up in 1970, with Crane and Carl Palmer forming Atomic Rooster, Theaker joining Love, and Brown later forming Kingdom Come. Palmer subsequently co-founded Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Asia. Since that time, the group’s lineup has undergone numerous changes.
Further studio and live recordings were released in 1970, 1993, 2000, 2003, 2011, 2013, and 2019.
As of 2025, the lineup consists of Arthur Brown, Jim Mortimore, Sam Walker, and Dan Smith.
Although they achieved only one major commercial hit, the Crazy World of Arthur Brown have been cited as an important influence on the development of shock rock and related theatrical aesthetics. Artists such as Kiss, Alice Cooper, and Marilyn Manson, as well as musicians including David Bowie and Peter Gabriel, have been associated with their influence. Brown has also participated in various other projects, including appearing in the film adaptation of the Who’s "Tommy".
Studio albums
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown (1968)
Strangelands (1988) (recorded in 1969)
Tantric Lover (2000)
Vampire Suite (2003)
Zim Zam Zim (2013)
Gypsy Voodoo (In collaboration with Mike Morgan) (2019)