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List of Atomic Rooster members

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Atomic Rooster performing in 2021, (from left to right) Steve Bolton, Pete French, Paul Everett, Adrian Gautrey and Shug Millidge.

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

[edit]

Current

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Peter French.png
Pete French
  • 1971
  • 2016–present
vocals In Hearing of Atomic Rooster (1971)
Atomic Rooster live at HRH Prog X at Shepherd's Bush Empire 5th Sept 2021 - 51437302034.jpg
Steve "Boltz" Bolton
  • 1971–1972
  • 2016–present
guitar
Shug Millidge.png
Shug Millidge 2016–present bass guitar none to date
Adrian Gautrey.png
Adrian Gautrey 2017–present
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
Paul Everett 2020–present drums

Former

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Vincentcrane.jpg
Vincent Crane
  • 1969–1975
  • 1980–1983 (died 1989)
  • keyboards
  • piano
  • synthesizer
  • keybass
  • vocals
all Atomic Rooster releases to date
CarlPalmer2014CPB.jpg
Carl Palmer 1969–1970
  • drums
  • percussion
NickGraham.jpg
Nick Graham
  • bass guitar
  • vocals
  • flute
  • guitar (studio)
Atomic Roooster (1970)
John Du Cann
  • 1970–1971
  • 1980–1982 (died 2011)
  • guitar
  • vocals
  • bass guitar
Ric Parnell
  • 1970
  • 1971–1974 (died 2022)
  • drums
  • percussion
  • Made in England (1972)
  • Nice 'n' Greasy (1973)
  • BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (1992)
  • Devil's Answer (1998)
Paul Hammond
  • 1970–1971
  • 1980–1983 (died 1992)
  • Death Walks Behind You (1970)
  • In Hearing of Atomic Rooster (1971)
  • Headline News (1983)
  • Live and Raw 70/71 (2000)
  • Live in Germany 1983 (2000)
  • Live at the Marquee 1980 (2002)
2010-11-01 Chris Farlowe IMG 6567.jpg
Chris Farlowe 1972–1974 vocals
  • Made in England (1972)
  • Nice 'n' Greasy (1973)
  • BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (1992)
  • Devil's Answer (1998)
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 2011.JPG
Ginger Baker 1980 (died 2019) none
Mick Hawksworth 1982 bass guitar
John McCoy 1982–1983
Bernie Tormé 1983 (died 2019) guitar
  • Headline News (1983)
  • Live in Germany 1983 (2000)
John Mizarolli 1983 Headline News (1983)
Christian Madden 2016–2017 keyboards none
Bo Walsh.png
Bo Walsh 2016–2020 drums

Timeline

[edit]

Line-ups

[edit]
Period Members Releases
1969–1970
1970
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, backing vocals, keybass
  • Carl Palmer – drums, percussion
  • John Du Cann – guitar, vocals
1970
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, backing vocals, keybass
  • John Du Cann – guitar, vocals
  • Ric Parnell – drums, percussion
1970–1971
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, backing vocals, keybass
  • John Du Cann – guitar, vocals
  • Paul Hammond – drums, percussion
1971
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, backing vocals, keybass
  • John Du Cann – guitar, backing vocals
  • Paul Hammond – drums, percussion
  • Pete French – vocals
1971 (briefly)
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, backing vocals, keybass
  • Pete French – vocals
  • Steve Bolton – guitar
  • Ric Parnell – drums, percussion
none
1971–1972
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, vocals, keybass
  • Steve Bolton – guitar
  • Ric Parnell – drums, percussion
1972
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, backing vocals, keybass
  • Steve Bolton – guitar
  • Ric Parnell – drums, percussion
  • Chris Farlowe – vocals
  • Made in England (1972)
  • BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (1993)
  • Devil's Answer (1998)
1972–1974
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, backing vocals, keybass
  • Ric Parnell – drums, percussion
  • Chris Farlowe – vocals
  • Johnny Mandala – guitar
1974–1975
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Sam Sampson – vocals
  • Andy Johnson – guitar
  • Denny Barnes – guitar
  • Bob Rennie – bass
  • Lee Baxter Hayes – drums
none
Band Inactive 1975–1980
1980
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, backing vocals, keybass
  • John Du Cann – guitar, vocals
  • Preston Heyman – drums
1980
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, backing vocals, keybass
  • John Du Cann – guitar, vocals, bass
  • Ginger Baker – drums
none
1980–1982
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, backing vocals, keybass
  • John Du Cann – guitar, vocals
  • Paul Hammond – drums, percussion
1982
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, vocals
  • Paul Hammond – drums, percussion
  • Mick Hawksworth – bass
none
1982–1983
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, vocals
  • Paul Hammond – drums, percussion
  • John McCoy – bass
1983
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, vocals, keybass
  • Paul Hammond – drums, percussion
  • Bernie Tormé – guitar
1983
  • Vincent Crane – keyboards, vocals, keybass
  • Paul Hammond – drums, percussion
  • John Mizarolli – guitar
  • Headline News (1983)
In active 1983–2016
2016–2017
  • Pete French – vocals
  • Steve Bolton – guitar
  • Christian Madden – keyboards
  • Shug Millidge – bass
  • Bo Walsh – drums
none
2017–2020
  • Pete French – vocals
  • Steve Bolton – guitar
  • Shug Millidge – bass
  • Bo Walsh – drums
  • Adrian Gautrey – keyboards, backing vocals
2020–present
  • Pete French – vocals
  • Steve Bolton – guitar
  • Shug Millidge – bass
  • Adrian Gautrey – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Paul Everett – drums

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Rooster Crowing" (Scan). Record World. Vol. 24, no. 1160. New York City: Record World Publishing. 6 September 1969. p. 39. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b Unterberger, Richie. "John Du Cann: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ van Lustbader, Eric (27 March 1971). "Very Heavy Eggs" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 32, no. 40. New York City: Cash Box Publishing. p. 43. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  5. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Atomic Rooster: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Appearances Spark Rooster LP Sales" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 33, no. 13. New York City: Cash Box Publishing. 18 September 1971. p. 22. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  7. ^ "From the Music Capitals of the World: New York" (Scan). Billboard. Vol. 84, no. 9. New York City: Billboard Publications. 26 February 1972. p. 15. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  8. ^ "Two New LPs from Elektra" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 34, no. 10. New York City: Cash Box Publishing. 26 August 1972. p. 39. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Sam Samson & Jim Mitchell" (PDF). Walthamstow Memories. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  11. ^ Harper, Colin. "Vincent Crane". colin-harper.com. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  12. ^ Underwood, Nick (19 July 1980). "International Dateline: United Kingdom" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 42, no. 10. New York City: Cash Box Publishing. p. 35. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  13. ^ Thompson, Dave. "Atomic Rooster – Atomic Rooster: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  14. ^ Fuchs, Aaron (27 September 1980). "East Coastings: London Calling" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 42, no. 20. New York City: Cash Box Publishing. p. 46. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  15. ^ Fuchs, Aaron (18 October 1980). "East Coastings: Sniffs 'n' Skinpops" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 42, no. 23. New York City: Cash Box Publishing. p. 12. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Coast to Coast: Points West" (Scan). Cash Box. Vol. 44, no. 6. New York City: Cash Box Publishing. 9 July 1983. p. 11. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  17. ^ Vengadesan, Martin (2 July 2006). "Death walks behind Crane". The Star. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  18. ^ Talevski, Nick (7 April 2010). Rock Obituaries: Knocking on Heaven's Door. New York City: Omnibus Press. p. 242. ISBN 978-1846090912. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  19. ^ "Atomic Rooster's John Du Cann Dies". Planet Rock. 26 September 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  20. ^ Taylor, Mark. "Atomic Rooster: London 100 Club: 3rd August, 2016". Record Collector. Diamond Publishing. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  21. ^ O'Neill, Christina (8 July 2016). "Cambridge Rock Festival shares final lineup announcement". Prog. TeamRock. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  22. ^ "Atomic Rooster". Classic Rock. Future plc. 2 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.