Camel
Formed in the spring of 1972 by former members of Philip Goodhand-Tait's backing band, Camel comprised Doug Ferguson (b. 4 April 1947, Carlisle, Cumbria, England; bass), Andy Ward (b. 28 September 1952, Epsom, Surrey, England; drums) and Andy Latimer (b. 17 May 1947, Guildford, Surrey, England; guitar/flute/vocals) and Peter Bardens (b. 19 June 1945, Westminster, London, England; keyboards). Bardens, whose pedigree included stints with Them and Shotgun Express, would dominate the group's sound to the extent that they would come to be known as Peter Bardens’ Camel in deference to Peter Frampton's Camel. As regular performers on the UK college circuit, it took an adaptation of the Paul Gallico children's story, THE SNOW GOOSE, to put this foremost progressive band into the UK Top 30 album chart. After the release of MOONMADNESS, Ferguson departed, to be replaced by ex- Caravan member Richard Sinclair. They consolidated their position with the Top 30 albums RAIN DANCES and BREATHLESS. Although their success preceded the rise of the punk/new wave movement, the band's image as out-dated progressive rockers threatened their future. However, they survived, but not without some changes to the line-up and consequently, the style of music. Peter Bardens’ replacement by Jan Schelhaas (another ex-Caravan member) made the biggest impact, leaving room for lighter song structures typified on THE SINGLE FACTOR. The group continued to record and perform well into the '80s when the final line-up, now led by the only remaining original member Latimer and comprising Tom Scherpenzeel (keyboards), Christopher Rainbow (vocals), Paul Burgess (drums) and Paul Bass (bass), closed proceedings with the live set, PRESSURE POINTS. NEVER LET GO was recorded during their 20th anniversary tour and released in 1993.