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Atomic Rooster

From Alfawiki
Atomic Rooster
Company typeRock band
IndustryMusic
Founded1969 in England, United Kingdom
FounderVincent Crane, Carl Palmer
Headquarters
England
,
United Kingdom
Area served
United Kingdom, Europe, North America
ProductsMusic albums, singles, live performances

Atomic Rooster is a British rock group established by former members of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, specifically organist Vincent Crane and drummer Carl Palmer. Their career is primarily divided into two significant phases: the early to mid-1970s and the early 1980s. Renowned for their robust, progressive rock style, they gained commercial recognition with the 1971 singles "Tomorrow Night" (which reached No. 11 on the UK charts) and "Devil's Answer" (peaking at No. 4).

In 2016, with the consent of Crane’s widow, Atomic Rooster reassembled, featuring a fresh lineup that included two musicians from their 1970s roster.

Initial era (1969–1975)

During the summer of 1969, following the breakup of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown amid a US tour, keyboardist Vincent Crane and drummer Carl Palmer returned to England and formed Atomic Rooster by adding Nick Graham on bass and vocals. The band’s configuration consisted of vocals, organ, bass, and drums as they began live performances in London. Their first album, Atomic Roooster, was released in February 1970 via B & C Records, accompanied by the single "Friday the 13th".

By March 1970, after Graham’s exit, John Du Cann joined as guitarist and vocalist. Cann assumed lead vocal responsibilities while Crane layered bass parts through his Hammond organ. When Palmer departed in June 1970 to join Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Ric Parnell temporarily filled his role before Paul Hammond was brought in. The second album, Death Walks Behind You, was recorded and released in September 1970. Although initially not a commercial hit, the single "Tomorrow Night" climbed to No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart by February 1971, with the album reaching No. 12 on the UK Albums Chart. To promote the release, Atomic Rooster toured extensively and appeared on Top of the Pops.

In June 1971, their single "Devil's Answer" achieved a No. 4 position in the UK. The band then produced In Hearing of Atomic Rooster (which reached No. 18 in the UK). Seeking enhanced vocal strength, Crane recruited Pete French from Leaf Hound. Following French’s arrival, Cann departed due to diminished vocal and guitar roles; Hammond also left to form Bullet (later known as Hard Stuff). French performed most vocals on this August 1971 album.

The lineup featuring French (vocals), Steve Bolton (guitar), Ric Parnell (drums), and Crane (keyboards) toured Italy and North America and played a major benefit concert at The Oval cricket ground before large crowds that included members of Faces and The Who. French subsequently signed with Atlantic Records and joined the American rock group Cactus.

In February 1972, Crane enlisted Chris Farlowe from Colosseum as vocalist. They toured and released Made in England along with the single "Stand by Me" on Dawn Records, marking a stylistic shift towards soul influences while moving away from earlier progressive and hard rock elements. Despite touring efforts, both album and single experienced limited commercial success.

Late in 1972, guitarist Steve Bolton left and was replaced by John Goodsall (also known as Johnny Mandala). In 1973, they issued Nice 'n' Greasy, featuring the funk-inspired single "Save Me", a reimagined version of "Friday the 13th". After nearly two years without chart success, Dawn Records dropped them and internal instability increased. Following a tour, Farlowe, Mandala, and Parnell exited the band. The March 1974 single "Tell Your Story, Sing Your Song" was released under "Vincent Crane's Atomic Rooster" via Decca Records. Subsequent live shows involved Crane performing with members of blues band Sam Apple Pie. A final benefit performance took place in February 1975 before Crane officially disbanded Atomic Rooster.

Hiatus period (1975–1979)

Between 1976 and 1977, Vincent Crane composed scores for several British theatrical productions and musicals, including two radio sessions featuring Peter Green. He reunited with Arthur Brown to contribute to Brown's album Chisholm In My Bosom and issued the track Faster Than the Speed of Light in 1979. They also performed the song "Green Door" while dressed in formal attire with top hats and tails.

During this time, Cann, Hammond, and John Gustafson established Hard Stuff, producing two albums between 1972 and 1973 before Cann and Hammond were incapacitated by a car crash. In 1974, Cann briefly toured with Thin Lizzy before transitioning to composing music for commercials and jingles. He recorded a solo album titled The World's Not Big Enough in 1977; however, it was not released by his record company. Adopting the name John Du Cann, he achieved a minor chart success in 1979 with "Don't Be a Dummy," which featured in a Lee Cooper jeans advertisement. That year also saw Paul Hammond drumming for T.H.E., who released the collectible single "Rudi" on B&C Records.

Reformation period (1980–1983)

In 1980, Crane revived Atomic Rooster by bringing together Du Cann and session drummer Preston Heyman to record an album and singles under EMI Records. Heyman left in October, prompting Paul Hammond to return after a short spell by Ginger Baker. The band toured and issued singles throughout 1981 and 1982. When Du Cann missed a scheduled Reading Festival appearance, Crane and Hammond enlisted Mick Hawksworth as a substitute. Later, at Polydor Records' behest, John McCoy joined on bass, resulting in two singles—"Play It Again" and "End of the Day"—which achieved moderate success on heavy metal charts before Polydor dropped their contract.

After Du Cann's departure, Crane led a new iteration of Atomic Rooster with Hammond on drums for the 1983 album Headline News, which featured guitar contributions from David Gilmour, Bernie Torme, and John Mizarolli. Vocals were performed by Crane alongside backing vocals from his wife. The group toured Germany and Italy with Torme; Mizarolli participated during UK shows.

Released in June 1983, Headline News showcased a stylistic evolution incorporating synthesizers and electronic elements, entirely composed by Crane—leading some observers to regard it as effectively a solo effort.

Crane dissolved Atomic Rooster again at the close of 1983. In 1984, he collaborated with Peter Green, Ray Dorset, and Jeff Whittaker on Katmandu's album A Case for the Blues. The following year, he joined Dexy's Midnight Runners for their album Don't Stand Me Down, contributing to two singles—one of which became the theme for the television series Brush Strokes.

Following Dexy's disbandment in 1987, Crane intended to reunite Atomic Rooster with Du Cann for a German tour in 1989 but tragically died from an overdose of painkillers on 14 February. Subsequently, Du Cann worked with Angel Air Records to release extensive archival Atomic Rooster material. Paul Hammond passed away in 1992; Du Cann died in 2011.

Revival and new line-up (2016–present)

In 2016, with approval from Crane’s widow, a new incarnation of Atomic Rooster was assembled initially featuring Steve Bolton and Pete French. Their inaugural performance was a warm-up show held in Clitheroe, Lancashire on 14 July 2016. This lineup included French on vocals, Bolton on guitar, Christian Madden on keyboards, Shug Millidge playing bass, and Bo Walsh on drums.

In 2017, Adrian Gautrey replaced Madden on keyboards. In September 2019, French announced his departure citing creative differences but subsequently chose to remain with the group.

Drummer Bo Walsh exited in 2020 and was succeeded by Liverpool-born Paul Everett. After seven years performing alongside Bolton since the band’s revival in 2016, Pete French left once more during a European tour in mid-2023 due to the demanding schedule; Gautrey assumed vocal duties thereafter.

Later in 2023, Atomic Rooster released "No More" b/w "Rebel Devil," marking their first new recordings under the band’s name since 1983; these tracks were sold exclusively at live shows.

On 28 July 2025, the band announced Circle the Sun, their first full-length studio album in over four decades, scheduled for release on 10 October via Cherry Red Records. The album features singles from 2024 including "No More" and "Rebel Devil."

Members

Present lineup

Studio albums

Release date Album title US AUS UK CAN
1970 Atomic Roooster — — 49 —
Death Walks Behind You 90 13 12 44
1971 In Hearing of Atomic Rooster 167 — 18 45
1972 Made in England 149 42 — 60
1973 Nice 'n' Greasy — — — —
1980 Atomic Rooster — — — —
1983 Headline News — — — —
2025 Circle the Sun — — — —

Live recordings

  • BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert 1972 (released 1993)
  • Devil's Answer – BBC Radio sessions from 1970 to 1981 (1998)
  • Live and Raw 70/71 (2000)
  • Live in Germany 1983 (2000)
  • Live at the Marquee 1980 (2002)

Compilation albums

Box sets

  • Resurrection (2001) – Unofficial Akarma CD reissues of the initial three albums, featuring an illustrated booklet
  • Devil's Answer: The Singles Collection (2006) – Re-release of the first six UK singles on either 7" vinyl or separate CDs

Singles

Year Single UK Chart Position
1970 Friday the 13th —
Tomorrow Night 11
1971 Devil's Answer 4
1972 Stand by Me —
Save Me Template:Efn-ua —
1973 Can't Find a Reason Template:Efn-ua —
1974 Tell Your Story (Sing Your Song) Template:Efn-ua —
1980 Do You Know Who's Looking for You? —
1981 Play It Again —
1982 End of the Day —
1983 Land of Freedom —

Notes:

DVDs

  • Masters from the Vaults (released in 2003)

See also

Bibliography

External links=

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