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Carl Palmer
Carl Palmer in 2008
Background information
Birth name	Carl Frederick Kendall Palmer
Born	20 March 1950 (1950-03-20) (age 59) Handsworth, Birmingham, England
Genres	Rock, progressive rock, art rock, electronica
Occupations	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Drums, percussion
Years active	1970-present
Associated acts	Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Asia, Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Atomic Rooster
Website	www.carlpalmer.com

Carl Palmer (born Carl Frederick Kendall Palmer, 20 March 1950, Handsworth, Birmingham) is an English drummer and percussionist. He is credited as one of the most respected rock drummers to emerge from the 1960s.^[1] In addition, Palmer is a veteran of a number of famous English bands, including the Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Atomic Rooster, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Asia. He has also contributed to works by Mike Oldfield.

[edit] Career

[edit] The Crazy World of Arthur Brown

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown was founded by Arthur Brown, and their original drummer was Drachen Theaker. However, Theaker suffered from aviophobia, and this meant he could not tour with his bandmates when the time arose for them to tour overseas. Thus, Theaker was the drummer on the band's eponymous album, but afterwards, Palmer took his place, and became a permanent member of the band.

[edit] Atomic Rooster

Following his departure from the Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Palmer joined up with Vincent Crane to form a new band, Atomic Rooster. Palmer played on just one album before departing.

[edit] Emerson, Lake and Palmer

With Emerson Lake & Palmer in Toronto
February 3, 1978 Photo: Jean-Luc Ourlin

After meeting up with a pair of other English musicians, Greg Lake, and Keith Emerson, the young musicians felt an "immediate chemistry", and by 1970, formed a band. In naming the new group, the trio chose their last names alphabetically as the band's name, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, also shortened to ELP. It was arguably the most successful band in his career. Palmer remained with ELP until they eventually disbanded in 1980. They developed a sound that merged art rock, jazz, electronica, pop rock and classical music and found fans within their peers and the public alike. During that time Palmer released only one single of his own developing a solo career that he managed alongside ELP, and other future bands, for the remainder of his career.

[edit] Asia

Palmer followed Emerson, Lake and Palmer, with a new band called P.M., however he left that project in favour of Asia with former members of Yes, King Crimson, and The Buggles.

[edit] Band: 3

Palmer and Emerson combined again, this time with American guitarist and singer Robert Berry, to form a group called 3. The trio released one relatively unsuccessful album in 1987.

[edit] Reunions

Palmer later rejoined the newly-reformed ELP in 1992 for Black Moon, In the Hot Seat, a box set, as well as several DVDs and the subsequent tours. Following the final break-up of ELP in 1998, Palmer worked with Asia's John Wetton in the band Qango, and subsequently toured with his 'Carl Palmer Band' featuring Paul Bielatowicz on guitar and Stuart Clayton on bass. In addition to these tours, he has released four "new" albums, most notably Working Live Vol. I & II as well as an anthology album.

[edit] Influences

Having played with a variety of bands, including various anonymous schoolboy bands as a youth, Palmer's style was developed from a wide range of musical influences. Among Palmer's early drumming influence were Joe Morello, Philly Joe Jones, Art Blakey, Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich.^[1] Inspiration from their technique can be heard in his own drumming style, which was initially influenced more from jazz than any other genre. Known for his technical prowess, another of Palmer's trademarks included solos in many of his performances. His later work in Asia saw a more basic approach, although he began to play double bass drums more frequently during that period, and was one of the first drummers to be inducted into the Modern Drummer Magazine Hall of Fame.

Ringo Starr purchased and donated Palmer's 2½ ton stainless steel drum kit.

[edit] Recent years

In recent years, Palmer has performed a series of drum clinics across the UK, Europe and United States. Highlights of Palmer's live drum solo over the years have included the use of both gongs and tambourines, and also his ability to extract himself from his t-shirt while playing complex double bass drum patterns; the latter leaving him stripped to the waist to play the final part of his show. The removal of his shirt was a major attraction in Palmer's drum solos during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. On recent tours, however, his shirt has remained on throughout his performances.

Palmer recently toured with the original line-up of Asia, celebrating their 25th anniversary. A live album and DVD from the tour, entitled Fantasia was released by Eagle Rock Records.

[edit] Discography

Carl Palmer in 2006

[edit] Solo

• 2001 - Anthology
• 2003 - Working Live - Volume 1
• 2004 - Working Live - Volume 2
• 2006 - In Concert: Carl Palmer plays the Music of ELP (DVD)^[2]

[edit] Qango

• 2000 - Live in the Hood^[2]

[edit] With Emerson, Lake & Palmer

[edit] With Asia

[edit] With Atomic Rooster

• Atomic Roooster

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• 2006 Carl Palmer Interview
• Official site
• Official Asia Reunion Website
• Forrester, George, Martyn Hanson and Frank Askew. Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Show That Never Ends, A Musical Biography. (2001) Helter Skelter Publishing ISBN 1-900924-17-X.