Camel have never achieved the mass popularity that reflected their talent for composition and musical skills. Andrew Latimer has remained the leader of the band from the beginning.
Camel was created when Andrew Latimer (guitars/flutes/vocals) Andy Ward (drums), and Doug Ferguson (bass) met keyboardist Peter Bardens (ex-Them), in Hampstead (North London), on 20th September 1971.
Camel's first public appearance took place at the Waltham Forest Technical College, supporting Wishbone Ash, in December 4th, 1971. The band has no recollection why the name of Camel was adopted.
By the end of 1973, the group signed with MCA and released their debut album aptly named `Camel.'
In 1974, the band switched record labels, signing with Decca's Gama subsidiary, and released `Mirage.'
In 1975, Camel released their breakthrough album `The Snow Goose,' which climbed into the British Top 30 and eventually went gold. The band's English audience declined with 1976's `Moonmadness', but the album reached # 118 in America (the highest chart position the band ever attained in the U.S).
Following the release of `Moonmadness', Ferguson left the band (Ward and Latimer wanted to move the band in a jazzier direction, Ferguson didn't). Ferguson was replaced by Richard Sinclair (ex-Caravan); and master saxophonist Mel Collins was added as well.
1977's `Rain Dances,' showcased a jazzier fusion side of the band. Tensions between Latimer and Bardens were beginning to develop.
`Breathless,' was recorded in 1978 and had a poppier sound. After the album was completed, Bardens left the band. Andrew Latimer explains: Peter and I always get on well when creating, but the problems started when we came to the actual execution of the ideas. In the studio, Peter and I were just stifling each other. I wouldn't let him get any of his ideas out and he wouldn't let me get any of mine out, so it became pretty heavy going. We mutually agreed to part company on the creative level. Richard and Andy wanted to stay with me, so Peter went. I think it was a very good move for both of us."
Camel replaced Bardens with two keyboardists -- Kit Watkins (Happy the Man) and Jim Schelhaas (Caravan) and as Sinclair left, Colin Bass filled in at bass/vocals.
Punk music put progressive music in the back seat, thus Camel's 1979 album, `I Can See Your House From Here,' was released with little fanfare and decreased sales. Undaunted, Latimer returned to writing concept albums with 1981's excellent album- `Nude.'
Since `Nude' and onward, Susan Hoover has provided concept and lyrics for Camel's album. Susan married Andrew Latimer and they live today in Mountain View, California.
In 1982, drummer Andy Ward, fighting bouts of alcoholism, tried to commit suicide by cutting his wrists... though recovered, he would never return to the group again.
Camel's 1982 album, `The Single Factor,' was a popish album having an Allen Parson's Project semblance, had a slew of guest musicians including Francis Monkman (Curved Air, Sky), Anthony Phillips (Genesis) and even Peter Bardens performing on the killer instrumental `Sasquatch.'
Latimer returned to the concept album- `Stationary Traveler,' about both sides of the Berlin Wall(1984). The band toured extensively, producing the wonderful live album, `Pressure Points,' and a laser disk conceptual concert of the same name.
In 1985, Decca dropped Camel from its roster. Latimer wasn't able to find a new label because he was embroiled in a difficult legal battle with Camel's former manager Geoff Jukes. Susan Hoover had by then discovered that royalties from Camel's back catalog were not being paid to Camel, and Latimer had to go to court again, this time against Gama Records. Latimer won both cases but received no financial gain.
`Dust and Dreams' was conceived by the end of 1985, but Latimer wasn't able to persuade any company to produce it. In 1988, Latimer sold his home in England and moved to California, where he and wife Susan Hoover founded the independent label. `Dust and Dreams' finally released in April 1991 was virtually recorded in England, California and Holland (where Ton Scherpenzeel lives).
By the early '90s, the band was, for most intents and purposes, simply Andrew Latimer and a handful of session musicians.
In 1993, PolyGram released a double-disc Camel retrospective, `Echoes.' A slew of live albums including `Camel on the Road 1972,' and `Never Let Go,' were released during this time.
In 1996 Harbour of Tears, was relesed to solid sales. 'The Hour Candle (A song for my father)' was inspired by a hymn sung at Latimer's fathers funeral. A loose concept album, tours ensued and a stereo video-`Coming Of Age,' captured the sounds of the live 1997 tour.
Camel's last studio album is `Rajaz,' which sported a Middle-eastern feel. The music was inspired by the rhythm of the camels footsteps to help the weary travelers reach their destination. Latimer composed chiefly on the guitar.
Awaiting the next Camel album, the band surprised fans with a '73-'75 Gods Of Light, a live album- a single CD official bootleg. Camel toured South America during March-April 2001.
In May, Pete Bardens (who has done some very good and interesting solo material), had a tumor successfully removed from his brain. He bounced back from this surgery very well. But recently, Pete was diagnosed with lung cancer and died in Los Angeles, California, on 22nd January 2002. Peter will be always be remembered for the wealth of music he created in his short lifetime. He is survived by a daughter, Tallulah, and sons Ben and Sam.
On October 18, 2001, a new live album- `The Paris Collection,' recorded at The Batalcan in Paris, France on September 30, this live CD contains ten tracks, 71 plus minutes of music.
In 2002, Camel released `A Nod and a Wink,' which received good reviews. The `Coming of Age.' video was also released on DVD with some bonus rehersal footage.
1/20/2003- Camel has been signed to healine the Nearfest progressive music festival for 2003, the first time Camel will visit the east coast of the United States in 28 years.
After thirty years in the music business, Camel Productions has informed the public that the 2003 Camel tour will be their last and the farewell tour of this melodic progressive band.
Keyboardist- Guy LeBlanc had to quit Camel because of his wife having an unfortunate heart attack, and he has to take care of her... the European tour was postponed till October. Tom Brislin, who filled in for Rick Wakeman on the YES Symphonic tour and has also played with Meat Loaf since 1998 will fill in on keyboards on the bands farewell USA tour, while . Ton Scherpenzeel will join Camel for the European portion of this Farewell Tour.
Camel played an emotional and brilliant set at 2003's Nearfest. Beginning two hours late (due to other bands), they played past 1am and dazzled the appreciative prog audience with their power, musicianship and emotion. They recently released a DVD- 'Curriculum Vitae', History of Camel complete with Peter Barden footage but because of copyrights, could not show huge bits of old shows.
Problems continued to plague Camel's farewell tour- the Mexican tour dates were cancelled when the promoter failed to meet a crucial deadline for contract obligations. Things got worse- just before boarding their flight to Atlanta for their last US gig, drummer Denis Clement complained of not feeling well. Seconds later, Denis collapsed on the floor, unconscious. Doctors think that Denis he may have suffered a severe allergic reaction called 'anaphylaxis'. Layered on top of being unconscious, at the hospital, Denis had a seizure which stopped his heart. After an operation to reduce the life-threatening possabilities of his condition.
On another slightly less sad note, Camel's acoustic (unplugged) project has been shelved.
But all isn't glum- the fareware DVD is still in the works and in late 2004, Camel Productions released a DVD or old footage from the 70's and 80's called: Camel Footage. There site warns about a sound glitch, but it's minimal... a nice archive of classic Camel fotage... it would have been nice if it contain more of the Pressure Points outtakes and an Andy Latimer commentary, but I guess I should be happy it ws released at all. Cheers CP!
Further sad news, Guitarist and founder- Andy latimer has been battling health issue, hence the lull in Camel activity and an explaination for the reason of a farewell tour.
From Susan Hoover:
Back in 1992, when Camel had well and truly returned to the forefront of their musical niche, Andrew began to display some unusual physical symptoms that necessitated a visit to the doctor. After some tests, he was diagnosed with a little-known blood disorder called Polycythaemia Vera (PV). It's rather like an upside-down leukaemia where there are too many red blood cells as opposed to too many white blood cells. For most, fortunately, PV is a slow-moving disorder and it hasn't had a tremendous impact on our daily lives. In fact, it has been quite cooperative. However, it is a progressive disorder, and has a very specific course that it runs if the patient responds well to treatment. Andrew has responded very well to all the treatments, at each stage, and seems to have been on a very 'normal' course. As time has passed, his health has gradually become less robust as it once was. Many of you know that he lost his voice on the past two tours, and a couple of shows had to be cancelled due to illness (Camel's only performance in Ireland). His immune system has to work harder than normal, and being exposed to such a demanding tour schedule with so many different environments, it has been taxed considerably. He has had to deal with more than his fair share of colds, chest and/or throat infections. Nothing terribly serious, but it's not conducive to intensive touring. Ultimately, we were forced to announce the Farewell Tour, though Andrew was already thinking about the 'Retirement Sucks' tour.
We have now come to the latter stage of PV, and a condition known as Myelofibrosis (MF) is taking its place. Once again, this isn't necessarily a fast-moving disorder. It can be for some, but Andrew is a strong-willed person and has virtually followed the medical text-book to date. I feel he will continue on this positive route. His physical symptoms have changed though, and they're having a more direct effect on our lives than the PV symptoms. Fatigue is the most common symptom, and with the recent move, we have both been considerably more tired than usual, so it's not surprising. Andrew would be the first to tell you that he isn't exactly speedy when it comes to writing music that satisfies his heart. MF is having a direct effect on this, so he's slower than he has been in the past. But he's still thinking/writing/playing. The spirit is willing, the flesh is a little under the weather at times.
We wish Andy all the best!
Discography
Studio Albums
* Camel
* Mirage
* The Snow Goose
* Moonmadness
* Rain Dances
* Breathless
* I Can See Your House From Here
* Nude
* The Single Factor
* Stationary Traveller
* Dust And Dreams
* Harbour of Tears
* Rajaz
* A Nod and a Wink
Live Albums
* Greasy Truckers
* A Live Record
* Pressure Points - Live In Concert
* On The Road 1972
* Never Let Go
* On The Road 1982
* On The Road 1981
* Coming of Age
* '73-'75 Gods of Light
* The Paris Collection 2001
Compilations
* Chameleon - The Best Of Camel
* The Collection
* A Compact Compilation
* Lanscapes
* Echoes: The Retrospecive
* Camel (25th Anniversary Compilation)
* Harbour of Joy
Videos
* Pressure Points (now on DVD)
* Total Pressure
* Coming of Age (now on DVD)
* 'Curriculum Vitae', History of Camel (mostly documentary with clips) DVD
* Camel Footage DVD
