Editing Camel (band) (section)

==History==
===1970s===
[[File:Camel 23091976 02 300.png|thumb|upright|Founder member, guitarist and songwriter Andrew Latimer, 1977]]
The band was formed in [[Guildford]], Surrey, in 1971 by guitarist [[Andrew Latimer]], drummer [[Andy Ward (musician)|Andy Ward]], bassist Doug Ferguson and keyboardist [[Peter Bardens]]. Latimer, Ward, and Ferguson had performed in the Guildford area as a trio named Brew, and in 1971 they auditioned to be the backing band for singer-songwriter [[Phillip Goodhand-Tait]]. The three went on to appear on latter's album ''I Think I'll Write a Song'', released in September 1971.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pg-t.com/1970sdiary.html |title=Phillip Goodhand-Tait singer/songwriter |publisher=Pg-t.com |date=25 March 1979 |access-date=27 October 2011}}</ref><ref name=MIRAGE89LN/> After splitting with Goodhand-Tait, the trio decided that a keyboardist would expand their sound and advertised for one in the ''[[Melody Maker]]''. Bardens responded and successfully auditioned with a [[Hammond organ]] that belonged to a mutual friend of the group. The four travelled to Ireland to fulfil outstanding contractual obligations Bardens had with his previous outfit On, after which they renamed themselves Camel.<ref name=MIRAGE89LN/> Their live debut with the name followed at [[Waltham Forest College|Waltham Forest Technical College]] in London in December 1971, supporting [[Wishbone Ash]].<ref name=MIRAGE89LN>{{cite AV media notes|title=Mirage [1989 Reissue] liner notes|publisher=Deram Records|year=1989|id=820 613-2|first=John|last=Tracy}}</ref>

The group began regular touring in January 1972, establishing themselves as a proficient live act. They soon signed with Geoff Jukes of the Buffalo Agency as their manager.<ref name=MIRAGE89LN/> By August 1972, Camel signed with [[MCA Records]] and their eponymous debut album ''[[Camel (album)|Camel]]'' was released in early 1973. The record was not a success and the band moved to the [[Deram Records]] division of [[Decca Records]] (UK).<ref name=ALLMUSIC>{{cite web|last=Thomas |first=Stephen |url={{AllMusic|class=artist |id=p3821/biography |pure_url=yes}} |title=AllMusic Biography |publisher=AllMusic.com |access-date=30 October 2011}}</ref> In 1974 they released their second album, the critically acclaimed ''[[Mirage (Camel album)|Mirage]]'', on which Latimer showed he was also adept on flute. Although failing to chart at home, it gained success in the United States, prompting a three-month tour there.<ref name="ALLMUSIC" />

Released in 1975, the instrumental [[concept album]] ''[[The Snow Goose (album)|The Snow Goose]]'', inspired by the [[Paul Gallico]] [[The Snow Goose: A Story of Dunkirk|short story of the same name]], was the breakthrough album that brought Camel wider attention and success. However, the album attracted a lawsuit from Gallico.<ref name="wrongcopy2">{{cite web|url=http://www.magenta.co.il/camel/albums/tsg.htm|title=The Snow Goose|access-date=1 August 2013}}</ref> It is often reported that Gallico brought the suit because he "loathed smoking" and thought the band were related to [[Camel (cigarette)|the cigarette brand]].<ref name="rockdet">{{cite web|url=http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/uk/london/camel|title=CAMEL|access-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130519023613/http://www.rockdetector.com/artist/uk/london/camel|archive-date=19 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In reality Gallico described himself as "an addict of the vice in all its blackest forms"<ref name="charlsmail">{{cite journal|journal=Charleston Daily Mail|title=It's Cheaper To Chop Up Pound Notes|page=6|date=17 July 1947|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/charleston-daily-mail/1947-07-17/page-6#13753330789545&iipUpdate=39896689%7C%7C6|access-date=1 August 2013}}</ref> and his objection was simply on the grounds of copyright infringement.<ref name="rockdet" /> Camel accordingly added the prefix ''Music inspired by...'' to the album's front cover and removed the story notes from the back cover.<ref name="wrongcopy2" /> The album's success led to a prestigious appearance at [[Royal Albert Hall]] with the [[London Symphony Orchestra]] in October 1975.

The band's fourth album, ''[[Moonmadness (album)|Moonmadness]]'' (1976), was the last to feature the original lineup. [[Mel Collins]] was added to the band on saxophone and flute for the subsequent tour. Drummer Ward was pushing for a move into jazz, which caused bassist Ferguson to quit the band in early 1977.<ref name="ALLMUSIC" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.magenta.co.il/camel/faq/faq-body.htm#4a |title=Frequently Asked Questions |last=Zwebner |first=Ofir |author2=Lasse Ødegård |work=Skylines – Camel Web Site}}</ref> Ferguson formed the band Headwaiter and later became a [[property developer]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.magenta.co.il/camel/members/members-body.htm#ferguson |title=Camel's members careers |last=Zwebner |first=Ofir |work=Skylines – Camel Web Site}}</ref>

[[Richard Sinclair]] (formerly of [[Caravan (band)|Caravan]]) replaced Ferguson, and Mel Collins joined the band in an official capacity. This lineup released ''[[Rain Dances]]'' (1977) and ''[[Breathless (Camel album)|Breathless]]'' (1978). The latter was the last album to feature Bardens, who announced his departure before the supporting tour.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Peter Bardens {{!}} Biography & History|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/peter-bardens-mn0000840845/biography|access-date=2021-08-02|website=AllMusic|language=en}}</ref> He was replaced by two keyboard players both recruited from Caravan: [[Dave Sinclair]] (cousin of Richard) and [[Jan Schelhaas]]. The Sinclair cousins both left the band after the tour, replaced by keyboardist [[Kit Watkins]] and bassist [[Colin Bass]].<ref name="ALLMUSIC" /> This lineup recorded the more commercial ''[[I Can See Your House from Here]]'' (1979); the album's cover, photographed and designed by [[Gered Mankowitz]], is a manipulated photographic image of a crucified astronaut looking at Earth.

===1980s===
The 1981 release ''[[Nude (Camel album)|Nude]]'' was a concept album based on a true story of Japanese soldier [[Hiroo Onoda]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Nude - Camel {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/nude-mw0000374812|language=en|access-date=2021-08-02}}</ref> [[Duncan Mackay (musician)|Duncan Mackay]] provided most of the keyboards in lieu of Watkins and Schelhaas, who were involved in other projects but returned for the tour. This was the first album to feature lyrics by Latimer's future wife Susan Hoover.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Buckley|first1=Peter|title=The Rough Guide to Rock|last2=Buckley|first2=Jonathan|year=2003|isbn=1-85828-457-0|location=Penguin|pages=165}}</ref> In mid-1981, Ward stopped playing drums due to [[alcohol abuse|alcohol]] and [[drug abuse]] and Camel quietly disbanded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.camelproductions.com/CamelTimeline1964_1981_v2.html |title=Camel Timeline 1964–1981 |publisher=Camelproductions.com |access-date=27 October 2011}}</ref>

Without a band, but with a contract to fulfill and pressure from Decca for a hit song, Latimer was joined by an array of guest and session musicians at [[Abbey Road Studios]] in early 1982. The album ''[[The Single Factor]]'' was released later that year, reaching no. 57 in the UK.<ref>{{Citation|title=The Single Factor - Camel {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-single-factor-mw0000836654|language=en|access-date=2021-08-02}}</ref> Another lineup featuring keyboardist [[Ton Scherpenzeel]] (of Dutch prog-rock band [[Kayak (band)|Kayak]]) and drummer [[Paul Burgess (musician)|Paul Burgess]] (ex-[[10cc]]) released the album ''[[Stationary Traveller]]'' in 1984.<ref>{{Citation|title=Stationary Traveller - Camel {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/stationary-traveller-mw0000698833|language=en|access-date=2021-08-02}}</ref> Camel's contract with Decca expired in late 1984, while Latimer prevailed in a legal dispute with a former manager. Latimer moved to the United States and disbanded the group again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.magenta.co.il/camel/faq/faq-body.htm |title=Magenta Camel faq |publisher=Magenta.co.il |access-date=27 October 2011}}</ref>

===1990s===
After a seven-year hiatus, Latimer revived the Camel name in 1991 and released the album ''Dust and Dreams'' under his own independent label Camel Productions. The album featured several players who had appeared on the group's two previous albums in the early 1980s.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} Keyboardist [[Mickey Simmonds]], who had previously backed [[Mike Oldfield]] and [[Fish (singer)|Fish]], joined in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MICKEY SIMMONDS band / artist (UK-England) - discography, reviews and details|url=https://www.proggnosis.com/Artist/7379|access-date=2021-08-02|website=www.proggnosis.com}}</ref>

In the meantime, Latimer and Hoover wrote ''[[Harbour of Tears]]'' (a nickname for [[Cobh]] Harbour in Ireland from which many sailed to the United States during the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Great Famine]]) under the Camel name, which was released in 1996. In 1999 Latimer, drummer Dave Stewart, bassist Colin Bass, and keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel recorded ''[[Rajaz (album)|Rajaz]]'', a record inspired by an ancient Arabic [[Rajaz (prosody)|poetic metre of the same name]] that reflects the rhythm of camel footsteps in the desert.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.camelproductions.com/CamelTimeline1982_2K_v2.html |title=Camel timeline 1982–2000 |publisher=Camelproductions.com |access-date=27 October 2011}}</ref>

===2000s–2010s===
[[File:Camel In Concert.jpg|thumb|Camel performing in 2003]]
In 2001, Latimer assembled another new lineup with Bass, drummer Denis Clement, and keyboardist [[Guy LeBlanc (keyboardist)|Guy LeBlanc]]. The band released the album ''A Nod and a Wink'' in 2002. The album was dedicated to former member Peter Bardens, who had died early that year,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Camel - A Nod and a Wink (album review 2) {{!}} Sputnikmusic|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/50266/Camel-A-Nod-and-a-Wink/|access-date=2021-08-02|website=www.sputnikmusic.com}}</ref> The group was inactive for much of the following decade as Latimer received treatment for [[myelofibrosis]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Barnes|first=Mike|date=2015-04-17|title=Camel: Never Let Go|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/camel-never-let-go|access-date=2021-08-02|website=loudersound|language=en}}</ref>

After Latimer's recovery, Camel returned to touring in 2013, including full performances of ''[[The Snow Goose (album)|The Snow Goose]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=14826 |title=Barbican Arts Centre site |access-date=21 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324223007/http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=14826 |archive-date=24 March 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> A new and extended version of that album was released in November 2013. LeBlanc withdrew from touring in 2014 due to illness and died in 2015;<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lach|first=Stef|date=28 April 2015 |title=Camel's Guy LeBlanc dead at 54|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/camel-s-guy-leblanc-dead-at-54|access-date=2021-07-11|website=loudersound|language=en}}</ref> he was replaced by a returning Ton Scherpenzeel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.progrockmag.com/news/camel-forced-to-change-keyboard-player-for-tour/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226082144/http://www.progrockmag.com/news/camel-forced-to-change-keyboard-player-for-tour/ |archive-date=26 February 2014 |title=Camel Forced To Change Keyboard Player For Tour}}</ref>

Latimer was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award at [[Orange Amplification]]'s 2014 Progressive Music Awards, and the 2013–14 ''Snow Goose'' tour was nominated in the category of Live Event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://awards.prog.teamrock.com/vote/live-event|title=Orange Amplification Presents 2014 Progressive Music Awards|publisher=Awards.prog.teamrock.com|access-date=30 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630031400/http://awards.prog.teamrock.com/vote/live-event|archive-date=30 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The band continued to tour throughout the decade, and a live DVD recorded at [[Royal Albert Hall]] was released in early 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Official Camel Website|url=http://www.camelproductions.com/|access-date=2021-07-11|website=www.camelproductions.com}}</ref> Latimer continues to write new music, though the band has not released a studio album since 2002.<ref>Prog, April 2015</ref>