Origin: England  
Genres: 70's Metal, Progressive Metal
DISBANDED
Page online: February 16, 2011
Last update/review: February 16, 2011

Atomic Rooster

From a purely metallic standpoint, Atomic Rooster barely fit the bill even during their heaviest period, yet they are often mentioned alongside other early pre-metal bands of the early 70's. They were formed in 1969 by Vincent Crane and the one and only Carl Palmer, who later found fame and fortune as one-third of Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Palmer left the Rooster after only one album, while Crane became the only constant member during their somewhat turbulent career. The album reviewed here is their second, 1970's Death Walks Behind You, regarded by many as the band's signature moment. Granted, this is 1970, and no one save Black Sabbath was doing anything really heavy at that time, but Death does sport a pretty cool heavy progressive rock style, occasionally reminiscent of, say, Yes, highlighted by Crane's keyboard work. They acheived some minor success with this album but in general never really rose above cult status. They changed styles radically later on, apparently going for a full-on funk sound on 1973's Nice 'n' Greasy. They initially disbanded in 1975, then reformed with yet another style change in the early 80's, recording two albums (one of which featured none other than Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour) before disbanding again. Crane's death in 1989 signalled the official end of the band.

Last Lineup

Bernie Torme

guitars (ex-Gillan, ex-Rogue Male) RIP: March 17, 2019, pneumonia , age 66

David Gilmour

guitars

John Mizarolli

guitars

Vincent Crane

keyboards/guitars RIP: February 14, 1989

Paul Hammond

drums RIP: 1992, car accident

Jon Field

percussion

Tareena Craze

backing vocals

Jean Crane

backing vocals

Former Members/Guests

Peter French

vocals

Chris Farlowe

vocals

John Du Cann

guitars/vocals

Steve Bolton

guitars

Johnny Mandala

guitars

Nick Graham

bass/vocals

Carl Palmer

drums

Ric Parnell

drums

Preston Heyman

drums



Discography


Atomic Roooster  
1970
  1. Banstead
  2. And So To Bed
  3. Friday The 13th
  4. Broken Wings
  5. Before Tomorrow
  6. SLY
  7. Winter
  8. Decline And Fall
  • John Du Cann
  • Vincent Crane
  • Nick Graham
  • Carl Palmer



Death Walks Behind You  
1970
  1. Tomorrow Night
  2. Vug
  3. 7 Sheets
  4. Sleeping For Years
  5. Gershatzer
  6. Death Walks Behind You
  7. I Can't Take No More
  8. Nobody Else
  • John Du Cann
  • Vincent Crane
  • Paul Hammond



In Hearing Of Atomic Rooster  
1971
  1. Breakthrough
  2. Break The Ice
  3. Decision-Indecision
  4. A Spoonful Of Bromide Helps The Pulse Rate Go Down
  5. Black Snake
  6. Head In The Sky
  7. The Rock
  8. The Price
  • Peter French
  • John Du Cann
  • Vincent Crane
  • Paul Hammond



Made In England  
1972
  1. Time Take My Life
  2. Stand By Me
  3. Little Bit Of Inner Air
  4. Don't Know What Went Wrong
  5. Never To Lose
  6. Introduction
  7. Breathless
  8. Space Cowboy
  9. People You Can't Trust
  10. All In Satan's Name
  • Chris Farlowe
  • Steve Bolton
  • Vincent Crane
  • Ric Parnell



Nice 'n' Greasy  
1973
  1. All Across The Country
  2. Save Me
  3. Voodoo In You
  4. Goodbye Planet Earth
  5. Take One Take
  6. Can't Find A Reason
  7. Ear In The Snow
  8. Satan's Wheel
  • Chris Farlowe
  • Johnny Mandala
  • Vincent Crane
  • Ric Parnell



Atomic Rooster  
1980
  • John Du Cann
  • Vincent Crane
  • Preston Heyman



Headline News  
1983
  1. Hold Your Fire
  2. Headline News
  3. Taking A Chance
  4. Metal Minds
  5. Land Of Freedom
  6. Machine
  7. Dance Of Death
  8. Carnival
  9. Time
  10. Future Shock
  11. Watch Out- Reaching Out
  • Bernie Torme
  • David Gilmour
  • John Mizarolli
  • Vincent Crane
  • Paul Hammond
  • Jon Field
  • Tareena Craze
  • Jean Crane




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