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Carl Palmer (born Carl Frederick Kendall Palmer, 20 March 1950, Handsworth, Birmingham) is an English drummer and percussionist. He is often credited as one of the most respected and influential rock drummers of all time. Palmer is a veteran of a number of British bands, including the Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Atomic Rooster, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Asia. He has also contributed to works by Mike Oldfield.
He was the touring drummer with the Crazy World of Arthur Brown, but was not the drummer on the group's album The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Drachen Theaker was the drummer on the album, but his fear of flying meant that he was not able to tour with the group, and thus Palmer became a member of the band.
Following his departure from the Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Palmer joined up with Vincent Crane to form Atomic Rooster. Palmer played on just one album before departing for Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. Palmer remained with ELP until their circa 1979 breakup. He followed with a new band called P.M. and left that project in favour of Asia with former members of Yes, King Crimson, and Buggles. 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.
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.
Among Palmer's early drumming inspirations were Joe Morello and Buddy Rich. Their influence can be heard in his style, which, like a lot of 60s rock drummers, is more jazz-based than anything else. Palmer is known for his technical prowess. He is renowned for his solos. His later work in Asia saw a more basic approach, although he began to play double bass drums more frequently during this period, and was one of the first drummers to be inducted into the Modern Drummer magazine Hall of Fame.
Although none of the groups Palmer performed with are yet in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Palmer's 2½ ton stainless steel drum kit is, after being purchased and donated by Ringo Starr.
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 is currently on tour 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.
References
- 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.
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