Atomic Rooster

Always driven by Vincent Crane's keyboards, Atomic Rooster road a firm line between the hard and progressive. Crane and drummer Carl Palmer, first together in Arthur Brown's band, made one album before Palmer was off to ELP. The band hit their stride however after John DuCann and Paul Hammond joined. They released two albums in 1971, with vocalist Pete French joining for In Hearing of, generally regarded as their best. That didn't last, as the band was always beset with personnel changes. Chris Farlowe joined for two albums, which brought a more bluesy and less progressive tilt to their sound. But the Roosters lack of success brought it to a halt by 1974. Crane resurrected the bird in the early 80s, but that too was short lived. Sadly he committed suicide in 1989.

Founded: 1969

Location: London, England

Website: Atomic Rooster - A History Of... by Jeannie Crane