Camel 乐队的根源可以追溯到 1969 年，当时吉他手/长笛手/歌手 Andrew Latimer（生于 1947 年 5 月 17 日）、贝斯手 Doug Ferguson 和年仅 14 岁的鼓手 Andy Ward 在 The Brew 乐队中相遇，组成了三人组。1970 年，三人组与主唱键盘手组队，并根据他的说法将乐队名字改为 Phillip Goodhand – Tait。但同年年底，Phillip 退出了乐队。1971 年 5 月，键盘手 Peter Bardens（前 Them 乐队成员）加入，增强了这个孤儿三人组的力量。在萨里组建的新四人组选择了 Camel 这个名字。1971 年 12 月 4 日，乐队作为更著名的 Wishbone Ash 的暖场乐队首次演出。1972
年 8 月，Camel 与 MCA Records 签约，1973 年底，乐队发行了首张专辑“Camel”。在更换唱片公司并与 Decca 的 Gama 签约后，乐队发行了第二张专辑《Mirage》。专辑封面的设计灵感来自同名香烟盒，这引起了美国香烟公司的不必要关注，他们想更改封面，否则就会起诉乐队。美国唱片公司迅速开发了一个新的封面以避免诉讼。乐队成员对此感到非常沮丧，Peter Bardens 讽刺地将专辑的主打歌改名为《Twenty Sticks of Cancer》。1975
年，乐队决定录制一张基于书中故事的概念专辑。贝斯手 Doug Ferguson 建议使用 Paul Galico 的《The Snow Goose》，这张专辑取得了巨大的成功。1975 年 10 月 17 日，Camel 与伦敦交响乐团在座无虚席的皇家阿尔伯特音乐厅演奏了《The Snow Goose》。专辑的同名器乐曲取得了最大的成功。
1977 年 4 月，贝斯手 Doug Ferguson 退出乐队，由 Richard Sinclair（前 Caravan 乐队成员）接替一年。萨克斯手 Mel Collins 大部分时间都在录音室工作，并随乐队巡回演出，他成为乐队的正式成员，直到 1979 年 8 月。1978
年 7 月 30 日，与 Latimer 争吵了很长时间的键盘手 Peter Bardens 离开了乐队。他们的矛盾在录制 LP“Rain Dancers”时就已显现。乐队完成专辑“Breathless”后，Bardens 非常理所当然地离开了乐队。两位键盘手 Kit Watkins 和 Jim Schelhaas 接替了 Bardens 几个月。贝斯手 Colin Bass 被带入乐队，取代了 Sinclair。
录制概念专辑《Nude》讲述了二战期间被遗忘在岛上的一名士兵的故事，随后在 1981 年中期进行了世界巡演，这对乐队所有成员都产生了非常破坏性的影响。安迪·沃德沉迷于酒精和毒品，并试图自杀，幸运的是没有成功。他被救了出来，但这导致录制新专辑和巡演长期中断。然而，Decca Records 对乐队内部的问题不感兴趣，他们希望 Camel 能够遵守合同录制下一首新歌。Latimer 明白，他的朋友兼鼓手安迪·沃德无法在这么短的时间内恢复过来，因此不得不向主唱 Chris Rainbow、贝斯手 David Paton、吉他手 Anthony Phillips（前 Genesis 乐队成员）、键盘手 Francis Monkman（Sky）和鼓手 Simon Phillips（Who、Jeff Beck、Toto）、Dave Mattacks（Fairport Convention）和 Graham Jarvis（Cliff Richard）等音乐家寻求帮助。他们一起发行了新专辑《The Single Factor》。Peter Bardens 参与了歌曲《Sasquatch》的录制。Andy Ward 加入了乐队的巡演，但后来，在成为 Camel 乐队成员近 13 年后，他最终离开了乐队。1983

年，吉他手 Andy Latimer 遇到了荷兰键盘手 Ton Scherpenzeel (Kayak)，两人一起录制了概念专辑《Stationary Traveller》。这张专辑在伦敦录制，得到了贝斯手 Colin Bass 和新鼓手 Paul Burgess (Jethro Tull, 10cc) 的支持。Camel 受到巨大反响的鼓舞，开始了巡演。阵容包括 Andrew Latimer、Colin Bass、Chris Rainbow 和 Paul Burgess。然而，Ton Scherpenzeel 并没有随乐队一起巡演，因为他“害怕坐飞机旅行”。 “Stationary Traveller”巡回演唱会的现场演出于 1984 年 5 月 11 日录制，并发行了名为“Pressure Points”的录像带和 CD。来访的 Peter Bardens 以及键盘手 Richie Close（不幸在几个月后因军团病去世）参加了上述音乐会。20
世纪 80 年代中期，Decca 停止了对该乐队的支持，Latimer 不得不面对前 Camel 经理 Geoff Jukes 提起的诉讼。这个紧张的过程持续了很长时间，但最终 Latimer 取得了胜利。不久之后，在 1988 年中期，Latimer 卖掉了他在伦敦的房子，然后搬到加利福尼亚，在那里他建立了一个小型独立工作室 Camel Productions。1990 年，Camel 的新专辑“Dust and Dreams”在那里录制。1992
年 8 月，在 7 年的沉寂之后，Camel 再次踏上巡回演出之旅。鼓手保罗·伯吉斯 (Paul Burgess) 和键盘手米奇·西蒙斯 (Mickey Simmonds)（Fish、Mike Oldfield）加入了安德鲁·拉蒂默 (Andrew Latimer) 和科林·贝斯 (Colin Bass)。
一年后，拉蒂默的父亲去世。这种悲痛的失落激发他创作了歌曲“时刻蜡烛”（一首写给父亲的歌），收录在1996年初的专辑“泪水港”中。
1997 年，Camel 乐队再次开始巡演。Dave Stewart 取代了 Burgess，Foss Patterson 取代了 Simmonds。乐队还在捷克共和国演出。1999 年 10 月，Camel 发行了由 Latimer 作曲、回归的键盘手 Ton Scherpenzeel 参与录制的 LP“Rajaz”。现场发行的“The Paris Collection”是在 2000 年 9 月 30 日的 Y2K Kayak 专辑巡演期间录制的。这张 71 分钟的 CD 包括 10 首受到粉丝热烈欢迎的歌曲，以及排练期间创作的附赠曲目“Slow Yourself Down”。2002
年 1 月 22 日，Camel 乐队的第一位键盘手 Peter Bardens 因肺癌去世。
2002 年 3 月 27 日，Camel 发行了选集《月海：选集 1973 – 1985》。2002 年 8 月
13 日，由 Latimer、Guy LeBlanc、Colin Bass 和 Denis Clement 组成的新专辑《A Nod and a Wink》发行，收录了七首歌曲。Camel 将于 2003 年 6 月 29
日在 NEARfest 上担任主角。这是该乐队 28 年来首次在美国东海岸举办音乐会。乐队成员包括 Andrew Latimer、Colin Bass、Guy LeBlanc 和 Denis Clement。Camel
宣布 2003 年的巡演将是他们的最后一次巡演。在不可预测的市场中，预订可行的音乐会日期的难度越来越大，这在很大程度上导致了这一令人遗憾的决定。然而，Camel 的 Andy Latimer 强调乐队将继续创作音乐。Camel
被迫推迟了告别巡演的欧洲站。键盘手 Guy LeBlanc 的妻子在五月初突发心脏病，他已返回加拿大陪伴妻子和孩子。由于情况严重，LeBlanc 预计不会很快返回 Camel。因此，欧洲巡演的所有日期都已推迟到秋季。美国巡演将按计划进行。Camel
已为 Guy LeBlanc 找到了两名替代键盘手，后者因个人原因不得不退出。最近与 Yes 一起参加 Yessymphonic 巡演的 Tom Brislin 将加入 Camel 的美国巡演，而 Camel 的老搭档 Ton Scherpenzeel 曾在 80 年代初与乐队合作，将在推迟的欧洲站演奏。

原文：

The roots of Camel can be already found in 1969 when guitarist/flute player/vocalist Andrew Latimer (born on May 17, 1947), bassist Doug Ferguson and only 14-year-old drummer Andy Ward met in the band The Brew as a trio. In 1970, the trio teamed up with singing keyboardist and changed the name according to him to Phillip Goodhand – Tait. But at the end of the same year, Phillip quit the band. In May of 1971, Peter Bardens, a keyboard player (ex Them), came to strengthen the orphaned trio. The new quartet formed in Surrey chose the name Camel. December 4, 1971 was the day of the band first performance as a support band of more famous Wishbone Ash.
In August of 1972, Camel signed the contract with MCA Records and by the end of 1973, the band released the debut album "Camel". After having changed record labels and signed with Decca's Gama, the band issued the follow-up "Mirage". The cover inspired by a homonymous cigarette packet attracted the unwanted attention of the American cigarette branch, which wanted to change the cover; otherwise they would sue the band. The American record company quickly developed a new cover to avoid the lawsuit. The band members were really upset because of it and Peter Bardens sarcastically renamed the title song of the album to "Twenty Sticks of Cancer".
In 1975, the band decided to record a concept album based on a book story. Bassist Doug Ferguson suggested Paul Galico's "The Snow Goose", which has become a very successful issue. On October 17, 1975, Camel together with the London Symphony Orchestra performed "The Snow Goose" in the sold-out Royal Albert Hall. The self-titled instrumental song of the album has reached the greatest success.
In April of 1977, bassist Doug Ferguson quit the band being replaced by Richard Sinclair (ex – Caravan) for a year. Saxophonist Mel Collins, who was spending most of his time in the studio and touring with the band, became an official band member up until August of 1979.

On July 30, 1978, keyboardist Peter Bardens, who was quarrelling with Latimer for a longer time, left the band. Their conflict already developed during recording LP "Rain Dancers". Bardens left very reasonably after the band had completed the album "Breathless". Two keyboardists Kit Watkins and Jim Schelhaas replaced Bardens for a couple of months. Bassist Colin Bass was brought in to the band to replace Sinclair.

Both recording the conceptual album "Nude" describing the story of a soldier forgotten on an island during the World War II and following world tour in mid-1981 had a very destructive effect on all band members. Andy Ward succumbed to alcohol and drugs and tried to commit suicide, fortunately unsuccessfully. He has been saved, but it resulted in a long-time interruption of both recording a new album and tours. Decca Records, however, was not interested in problems inside the band itself and they wanted Camel, in compliance with the contract, to record next new stuff. Latimer having understood that his friend and drummer in one person Andy Ward could not recover in such a short time, had to ask for a help musicians like vocalist Chris Rainbow, singing bassist David Paton, guitarist Anthony Phillips (ex – Genesis), keyboardist Francis Monkman (Sky) and drummers Simon Phillips (Who, Jeff Beck, Toto), Dave Mattacks (Fairport Convention), and Graham Jarvis (Cliff Richard). They together issued the new album "The Single Factor". Peter Bardens took part in recording the song "Sasquatch". Andy Ward joined the musicians on the road but later, after nearly 13 years of being a member of Camel, he definitively left.

In 1983, guitarist Andy Latimer met Dutch keyboard player Ton Scherpenzeel (Kayak) who he recorded the conceptual album "Stationary Traveller" with. The album was recorded in London with the support of bassist Colin Bass and new drummer Paul Burgess (Jethro Tull, 10cc). Camel having been encouraged by a great response set out on a tour. The line-up consisted of Andrew Latimer, Colin Bass, Chris Rainbow and Paul Burgess. Ton Scherpenzeel, however, was not touring with the band because of his "travelling by plane-phobia". The live gig of the "Stationary Traveller" tour was recorded on May 11, 1984 and issued on videocassette and CD entitled "Pressure Points". Visiting Peter Bardens as well as keyboard player Richie Close, who sadly died a few months later due to Legionnaire's disease, took part in the mentioned concert.

In mid-1980s, Decca stopped supporting the band and Latimer had to face the lawsuit filed by former Camel manager Geoff Jukes. The stressful process took a long time but it has resulted in Latimer's victory. Soon after in mid-1988, Latimer sold his house in London and then moved to California where he established a small independent studio Camel Productions. New Camel album "Dust and Dreams" was recorded there in 1990.
In August of 1992, after a 7-year break, Camel set out on a tour again. Drummer Paul Burgess and keyboardist Mickey Simmonds (Fish, Mike Oldfield) joined Andrew Latimer and Colin Bass.
A year later, Latimer's father died. This grievous lost has inpired him to write the song "The Hour Candle" (A Song for My Father) included in the album "Harbour of Tears" of early 1996.

In 1997, Camel began a tour again. Burgess was replaced by Dave Stewart and Foss Patterson replaced Simmonds. The band performed in the Czech Republic as well. In October of 1999, Camel issued the LP "Rajaz" composed by Latimer and recorded with the participation of returned keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel. The live release "The Paris Collection" was recorded during Y2K Kayak album tour on September 30, 2000. 71-minute long CD includes 10 songs warmly accepted by fans as well as the bonus "Slow Yourself Down" originated during rehearsals.
On January 22, 2002, the first Camel keyboardist, Peter Bardens, died of the lung-cancer.
Camel issued the anthology "Lunar Sea: An Anthology 1973 – 1985" on March 27, 2002.
The seven song new album "A Nod and a Wink" of the line-up consisted of Latimer, Guy LeBlanc, Colin Bass, and Denis Clement appeared on August 13, 2002.

Camel will be headlining NEARfest on June 29th 2003. This marks the band's first concert on the US east coast in 28 years. The band will consist of Andrew Latimer, Colin Bass, Guy LeBlanc and Denis Clement.
Camel have announced that the 2003 tour will be their last. Increasing difficulties with booking viable concert dates in an unpredictable market have greatly contributed to this sad decision. However, Camel's Andy Latimer stresses that the band will continue making music.

Camel have been forced to postpone the European leg of their farewell tour. Keyboardist Guy LeBlanc's wife suffered a heart attack at the beginning of May and he has returned to Canada to be there for her and his children. It is expected that LeBlanc will not be returning to Camel soon due to the seriousness of the situation. Therefore all dates of European tour have been postponed until the Autumn. The USA tour will go ahead according to the plan.
Camel have found two replacement keyboard players for Guy LeBlanc, who had to bow out for personal reasons. Tom Brislin, who recently toured with Yes on their Yessymphonic tour, will be joining Camel on the USA leg of the tour, while old Camel cohort Ton Scherpenzeel, who previously worked with the band in the early eighties, will be tinkling the ivories on the postponed European leg.

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