List of Atomic Rooster members
Atomic Rooster are an English progressive rock band from London. Formed in 1969, the group originally included former Crazy World of Arthur Brown keyboardist Vincent Crane and drummer Carl Palmer, in addition to bassist, flautist and vocalist Nick Graham.[1] Shortly after the release of the band's debut album Atomic Roooster, guitarist John Du Cann joined the group and took over on lead vocals, as Graham departed.[2] Palmer left later in the year to form Emerson, Lake & Palmer, with Ric Parnell temporarily taking his place.[3] Paul Hammond later joined in time for the recording of Death Walks Behind You.[4] During the recording of 1971's In Hearing of Atomic Rooster, Pete French was brought in as the band's new lead vocalist.[5] Du Cann was subsequently fired by Crane, with Hammond choosing to leave alongside him.[2][3]
Du Cann and Hammond were replaced by Steve Bolton and Parnell, respectively.[6] Chris Farlowe took over from French in early 1972,[7] first contributing to the album Made in England.[8] Bolton had left the group by the end of the year, with Johnny Mandala taking his place for the 1973 release Nice 'n' Greasy.[9] By early 1974, everyone but Crane had left Atomic Rooster; the keyboardist continued to tour under the name "Vincent Crane's Atomic Rooster", adding former Sam Apple Pie members Sam "Tomcat" Sampson (vocals), Andy Johnson, Denny "Pancho" Barnes (both guitars), Bob "Dog" Rennie (bass) and Lee Baxter Hayes (drums) before disbanding the group in early 1975.[10] Following the band's breakup, Crane worked on music for plays and radio dramas, as well as collaborating with former bandmate Arthur Brown.[11]
In mid-1980, Crane reformed Atomic Rooster with former guitarist and vocalist Du Cann.[12] Preston Heyman performed drums on the band's self-titled comeback album.[13] Former Cream drummer Ginger Baker joined for a brief period in September,[14] but had left within a month to join Hawkwind.[15] Paul Hammond had returned to the band by the end of the year, marking a reunion of the Death Walks Behind You lineup.[3] Du Cann left in 1982, with guitars on the band's seventh album Headline News performed by new member Bernie Tormé and Pink Floyd's David Gilmour.[16] After a few months of touring, with more lineup changes, Atomic Rooster disbanded again in late 1983.[3] Crane committed suicide in 1989,[17] while Hammond died of an accidental drug overdose in 1992,[18] and Du Cann died after a heart attack in 2011.[19]
Over 30 years after the band's breakup, Atomic Rooster reformed in 2016 with the blessing of Crane's widow Jean,[20] with former members Pete French and Steve Bolton joined by bassist Shug Millidge, keyboardist Christian Madden and drummer Bo Walsh.[21] Madden was replaced by Adrian Gautrey in 2017, after the former joined Liam Gallagher's touring band.[22]
Members[]
Current[]
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pete French |
|
vocals | In Hearing of Atomic Rooster (1971) | |
| Steve "Boltz" Bolton |
|
guitar |
| |
| Shug Millidge | 2016–present | bass guitar | none to date | |
| Adrian Gautrey | 2017–present | keyboards | ||
| Paul Everett | 2020–present | drums |
Former[]
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vincent Crane |
|
|
all Atomic Rooster releases to date | |
| Carl Palmer | 1969–1970 |
|
| |
| Nick Graham |
|
Atomic Roooster (1970) | ||
| John Du Cann |
|
|
| |
| Ric Parnell |
|
|
| |
| Paul Hammond |
|
| ||
| Chris Farlowe | 1972–1974 | vocals |
| |
| Johnny Mandala | 1972–1974 (died 2021) |
guitar | Nice 'n' Greasy (1973) | |
| Sam "Tomcat" Sampson | 1974–1975 | vocals | none | |
| Andy "Snakehip" Johnson | 1974–1975 (died 2010) |
guitar | ||
| Denny "Pancho" Barnes | 1974–1975 | |||
| Bob "Dog" Rennie | bass guitar | |||
| Lee Baxter Hayes | drums | |||
| Preston Heyman | 1980 | Atomic Rooster (1980) | ||
| Ginger Baker | 1980 (died 2019) |
none | ||
| Mick Hawksworth | 1982 | bass guitar | ||
| John McCoy | 1982–1983 | |||
| Bernie Tormé | 1983 (died 2019) |
guitar |
| |
| John Mizarolli | 1983 | Headline News (1983) | ||
| Christian Madden | 2016–2017 | keyboards | none | |
| Bo Walsh | 2016–2020 | drums |
Timeline[]
References[]
- ^ "Rooster Crowing" (Scan). Record World. Vol. 24, no. 1160. New York City, New York: Record World Publishing. 6 September 1969. p. 39. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ a b Unterberger, Richie. "John Du Cann: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ a b c d Leigh, Spencer (10 October 2011). "JohnDu Cann: Singer and guitarist with the hardrockers Atomic Rooster". The Independent. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ van Lustbader, Eric (27 March 1971). "Very Heavy Eggs" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 32, no. 40. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. p. 43. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Atomic Rooster: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ "Appearances Spark Rooster LP Sales" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 33, no. 13. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. 18 September 1971. p. 22. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ "From the Music Capitals of the World: New York" (Scan). Billboard. Vol. 84, no. 9. New York City, New York: Billboard Publications. 26 February 1972. p. 15. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ "Two New LPs from Elektra" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 34, no. 10. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. 26 August 1972. p. 39. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Mulhern, Tom (August 1980). "John Goodsall". In Molenda, Michael (ed.). Guitar Player Presents: 50 Unsung Heroes of the Guitar. Montclair, New Jersey: Backbeat Books (published 1 November 2011). p. 68. ISBN 978-1617130212. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ "Sam Samson & Jim Mitchell" (PDF). Walthamstow Memories. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Harper, Colin. "Vincent Crane". colin-harper.com. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Underwood, Nick (19 July 1980). "International Dateline: United Kingdom" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 42, no. 10. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. p. 35. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Thompson, Dave. "Atomic Rooster - Atomic Rooster: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Fuchs, Aaron (27 September 1980). "East Coastings: London Calling" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 42, no. 20. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. p. 46. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Fuchs, Aaron (18 October 1980). "East Coastings: Sniffs 'n' Skinpops" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 42, no. 23. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. p. 12. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ "Coast to Coast: Points West" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 44, no. 6. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. 9 July 1983. p. 11. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Vengadesan, Martin (2 July 2006). "Death walks behind Crane". The Star. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Talevski, Nick (7 April 2010). Rock Obituaries: Knocking on Heaven's Door. New York City, New York: Omnibus Press. p. 242. ISBN 978-1846090912. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ "Atomic Rooster's John Du Cann Dies". Planet Rock. 26 September 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Taylor, Mark. "Atomic Rooster: London 100 Club: 3rd August, 2016". Record Collector. Diamond Publishing. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ O'Neill, Christina (8 July 2016). "Cambridge Rock Festival shares final lineup announcement". Prog. TeamRock. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ "Atomic Rooster". Classic Rock. Future plc. 2 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
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