The Gig Cartel - Artist profiles: Camel

 Like the enduring ship of the desert, the English prog-rock band Camel is a hardy survivor.

Led by founder member Andrew Latimer, whose instantly recognizable guitar playing and singular compositions characterize the Camel sound, the band has weathered many storms and setbacks over a four-decade career but has always come through to deliver original and inspired music making.

Formed in 1972 they found international success in the mid-70s with The Snow Goose and Moonmadness albums. Despite ensuing line-up changes that success was consolidated with a string of further records and tours until the mid-80s, when legal disputes and industry disinterest threatened the band's existence. Latimer and his lyricist/partner Susan Hoover, changed course and headed for California where they founded their own independent label, releasing the aptly-themed Dust and Dreams album in 1991; a resounding return to form that ushered in a new decade of creativity, encompassing four albums Dust and Dreams, Harbour of Tears, Rajaz and A Nod And A Wink and four world tours.

In 2003 Camel undertook a 'farewell' tour, presaging Latimer's near-fatal struggle with illness. It was a long battle but fortunately his subsequent recovery led to a groundswell of renewed energy, powering the band's celebrated return in 2013 with a new, revised album version of The Snow Goose and a sold-out European tour with a second tour added in 2014 - an impressive flood of activity that inspired Prog magazine to bestow Andrew Latimer with a Lifetime Achievement Award. And there's more to come! 2015 sees him back in the Camel driving seat in the company of long-term musical colleagues Colin Bass (bass), Denis Clement (drums) and Ton Scherpenzeel (keyboards), for a summer festival tour including headlining appearances at the Ramblin' Man Fair (UK), BeProgMyFriend Festival (Spain) and Night of the Prog Festival (Germany) and more TBC. The great trek continues.