Column

Sunday Old School: Atomic Rooster

One of the great things about the Sunday Old School column is getting to go way back and examine some of the very earliest examples of heavy metal, some of whom even denied the term when it came around. Over the course of this column, we've already taken a look at the likes of Budgie, Blue Cheer, Humble Pie and Spooky Tooth, as well as the big names such as Black Sabbath and this week we'll be adding to that list by observing another strangely named group from that era, Atomic Rooster.

Atomic Rooster was formed in 1969, by keyboardist Vincent Crane and drummer, Carl Palmer, who had both decided to leave The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. When putting the band together, they had hoped to recruit Rolling Stones guitarist, Brian Jones, but due to his death, this was not to be. Instead, they brought in singer and bass player, Nick Graham and began performing around the London club circuit, where on their first headlining show, they were supported by a young band named, Deep Purple. It didn't take long for them to earn a record deal, signing with B&C Records and releasing their debut, "Atomic Roooster," the following year. This was to be their only record with this lineup, as weeks later, guitarist, John Du Cann joined the band and Graham left, followed soon after by Carl Palmer, who quit to form a new band called, Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

In Palmer's place came, Paul Hammond and the vocal duties were handed to Du Cann. This trio didn't take long to introduce themselves to fans, as the sophomore Atomic Rooster album, "Death Walks Behind You" was released in September 1970. It has been cited by fans and critics as their defining work, which brought them critical and commercial success and is considered to be a classic in the progressive rock genre by fans and the press alike. It also spawned a hit single in, "Tomorrow Night," which earned the band their first call up to the legendary BBC music show, Top of the Pops.

They kept their name relevant in between albums with the single, "Devil's Answer," which peaked at number four in the United Kingdom, before Vincent Crane decided that the band needed a more dynamic vocalist and brought in Leaf Hound singer, Pete French, while Du Cann was sacked shortly after the recording of the third album, "In Hearing Of Atomic Rooster." It didn't receive the same acclaim as its predecessor but nonetheless, kept Atomic Rooster as a popular live band, who in support of the album, got to perform across Europe, as well as heading to the United States and Canada, before a huge benefit gig took place with The Who and The Faces at the Oval cricket ground.

Once again, change was in the cards for the band as French left the group to join American oufit, Cactus. He was replaced by Chris Farlowe, who made his recording debut with Atomic Rooster on the 1972 release, "Made In England," which was also the first album to feature guitarist Steve Bolton and drummer Ric Parnell. It received some good reviews, but disappointed fans as the band had moved further towards soul music than their rock output. It wasn't a commercially successful record at all and neither was its successor, "Nice 'n' Greasy," and so the band began to gradually unravel, with their farewell gig performed in 1975, which was a benefit for the RSPCA.

The band lay dormant for a few years, with former members busying themselves with other projects, before Crane decided to reform the group in 1980, along with John Du Cann and they released a self-titled album through EMI that same year. Its sound was more akin to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, which had achieved great underground success and was about to see bands like Iron Maiden and Saxon make international stars of themselves, and received some solid reviews, as well introducing them to younger rockers. Soon after however, drummer Preston Heyman left and former member Paul Hammond was brought back, though Du Cann was to leave once more.

With no permanent guitarist, the band used several guest guitarist for their next and ultimately final album, "Headline News," including David Gilmour of Pink Floyd and Bernie Torme of Gillan. The album wasn't a success critically or commercially and so Atomic Rooster was once again laid to rest in 1984, with Crane going on to join Dexy's Midnight Runners before sadly taking his own life in 1989. Paul Hammond also passed away three years later, while Du Cann died of a heart attack in 2011. Despite this tragic end and a career which saw these hard rock and heavy metal pioneers tread in soul and new wave territory, Atomic Rooster remain an important band, one any fan of metal exploring the genre can't avoid.

Atomic Rooster - "Friday the 13th"

Atomic Rooster - "Tomorrow Night"

Atomic Rooster - "Devil's Answer"

Atomic Rooster - "Breakthrough"

Atomic Rooster - "Space Cowboy"

Atomic Rooster - "Ear in the Snow"

Atomic Rooster - "Do You Know Who's Looking For You?"

Atomic Rooster - "Hold Your Fire"