Camel is a British progressive rock band formed in 1971.
Camel was formed in 1971 when Peter Bardens joined Andrew Latimer, Andy Ward and Doug Ferguson in a band called The Brew. Changing their name to Camel, they played their first gig at Waltham Forest Technical College supporting Wishbone Ash on 4 December.
In August 1972 Camel signed with MCA Records and their eponymous debut album was released six months later. The record was not a success and the band moved to Decca Records.
In 1974 they released their second album Mirage, then in 1975 the instrumental concept album The Snow Goose inspired by the book by Paul Gallico. They released the album Moonmadness in 1976.
Camel's line-up has changed many times in their history, starting in 1976 when Mel Collins saxophone joined as the fifth member. Following this, Doug Ferguson left the band in 1977.
Richard Sinclair replaced Ferguson and this line-up released Rain Dances and Breathless. Bardens departed before the supporting tour, replaced by two keyboard players: Dave Sinclair (cousin of Richard) and Jan Schelhaas. The Sinclair cousins both left the band after the tour, replaced by Kit Watkins and Colin Bass.
This line-up released I Can See Your House From Here, an album which caused problems for the advertisers due to its irreverent cover, displaying an crucified astronaut looking at earth. Watkins left the band in order to pursue a solo career. Camel's next recording was the concept album, Nude, about a Japanese soldier found on an island many years after World War II, not realising the war was over. Watkins returned on a temporary basis for the tour only.
In mid- 1981, Ward stopped playing drums due to alcohol and drug abuse and Camel briefly disbanded. Following pressure from Decca to release a 'Hit Song', Latimer reformed the band later that year, with session musicians Duncan Mackay, Andy Dalby, Chris Rainbow, Stuart Tosh and David Paton. The resultant album, ironically entitled The Single Factor, was a break away from the band's progressive roots. Kit Watkins joined up with Camel again on a temporary basis for the tour only. Legal wranglings then began with their former manager which took five years to resolve.
