Atomic Rooster

Atomic Rooster is considered to be one of the major innovators of the term of "Heavy Metal" with their Devil/Death image. The band was formed in the early 70's from the ashes of "The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown", when Vincent Crane, the demonic organ player and Carl Palmer (future-Emerson, Lake & Palmer), the fiery drummer, recorded the very first album "Atomic Ro-O-oster."

This album brought the band a strong following, but it wasn't until John DuCann, guitarist and vocalist (Andromeda, Attack, Five Day Week Straw People, Hard Stuff, Hellhound), brought his own personal style to the band, that Rooster really took off! The album "Death Walks Behind You", made the national charts, putting their hit singles "Devil's Answer" and "Tomorrow Night", aongside groups like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and the Rolling Stones. 'In Hearing Of...", John DuCann's last recording with the band during this decade, charted world-wide.

Atomic Rooster went on to record more albums in the 70's featuring bass/flute player Nick Graham (Skin Alley), vocalists Chris Farlowe (Colosseum) and Pete French (Leaf Hound, Cactus, Brunning Hall Sunflower Blues Band, Big Bertha, Randy Pie), plus drummers Paul Hammond (Hard Stuff) and Rik Parnell (Horse, Ibis, Nova, Tritons). John DuCann went on to do further work with his own band, Bullett, and bands such as Status Quo and Thin Lizzy, before returning to the national charts in 1979 with his solo success, "Don't Be A Dummy."

In the early 80's, Vincent Crane and John DuCann teamed up with drummers Paul Hammond, Preston Heyman, Ginger Baker (Crema, Blind Faith) and bass player "Mammoth" McCoy, to record and perform.

By taking Rooster into their seconde decade they found that, in addition to their loyal following, they had a wealth of anxious new fans dying to see the legendary "KIngs of Heavy Metal" playing live.

Vincent and John's plans for Atomic Rooster in the 90's will now, sadly, never see the light as Vincent died on Saint Valentin's Day, 1989.