Flaming Youth
Flaming Youth
After a couple of false starts and name changes, Flaming Youth were formed in 1969. Included in the line up was drummer Phil Collins (drums/vocals), Ronnie Caryl (guitar/vocals), Brian Chatton (keyboards/vocals), (Flash) Gordon Smith (guitar/vocals).
Signed to Fontana Records, they worked with renowned songwriters Howard and Blaikley who wrote and produced their only album "ARK2" The album told the story of a second flood and , no surprise, a second ark. With Howard and Blaikley's pop background (they wrote and arranged songs for, The Herd, Dave Dee, Dozy. etc. and many others) the songs were a little lightweight but well played. The album is a wild collection of styles and influences ranging from sunshine pop to heavily orchestrated, over produced prog that shows a band in the early stages of a career perhaps being pushed in directions they were never entirely comfortable with.
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Despite some encouraging reviews in the music press, the album was voted "Rock Album Of The Year 1969" by the Sunday Times, and the release of the album in a fantastic triple gate fold sleeve, their career stalled.After the flop of their third single, both Collins and Caryl auditioned for Genesis. Collins, of course, was successful and the band split.
The album is now rare in its original form and is very collectable.
Brian Chatton would later play in Jackson Heights and with a number of other bands in the 1980's.
Ronnie Caryl has toured with Phil Collins as part of his solo band and has released a number of albums. Gordon Smith went to Europe and continued with his music career.
The track here is the first track from the album and was also released as the first single. It is probably the strongest track.
Roger Gibbens
This information is provided as a brief overview and not as a definitive guide, there are other sources on the net for that. If however you have a story or information that is not generally known we would love to hear from you. Content@rokpool.com
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Phil Collins
Phil Collins was born on the 30th january 1951. He had a drum kit from a very early age but was more interested in a career as an actor and had success on the London stage with his first major role as Oliver's Artful Dodger. Even with this early success, he turned once again to music. After playing in a number of school bands, he joined Flaming Youth and recorded the well received and now highly collectable 'ARK 2' album in 1969. it was hardly surprising, given Collins Prog future, that 'ARK 2' was a concept album - a sure sign of things to come.
After Flaming Youth disbanded, Collins answered an advert in the Melody Maker and gained an audition for Genesis who had carelessly lost their three previous drummers. Collins passed the audition and established himself in a settled line up in what was to become the "Classic" Genesis line up. Genesis fast became one of the best and biggest Prog Rock bands with Collins now a well respected drummer and perfect foil to Peter Gabriel. When Gabriel left in 1975 after 'The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway' tour, a suitable replacement was not able to be found, so Collins jumped from his drum stool and into the vocal limelight. Collins more robust style of performing help transform the band from an essentially British success to a worldwide smash with number one albums and singles on both sides of the Atlantic. During the early part of this success, Collins formed a Jazz/Rock outfit, Brand X who continued without Collins once his band and solo commitments grew to much.
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As Genesis continued to become more and more popular, Collins added another string to his bow and launched a solo career. Using the break up of his marriage as inspiration for the first couple of albums, he has also shown a political awareness with later work with such songs as 'Another Day In Paradise' (about homelessness) and songs about apartheid. As a solo artist, even greater success followed. Massive hit albums and singles all over the world were now commonplace. He even returned to acting, starring in the Great Train Robbery film Buster. He was now a well respected record producer working with the like of John Martyn and Frida from ABBA and appeared on albums as guest artist for many performers such as Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Robert Plant and on ex. Genesis Peter Gabriel and Steve Hacketts solo Albums. He was also the drummer on the Band Aid single 'Do They Know Its Christmas', and Collins' place in Rock History was assured.
After quitting Genesis in 1996, he concentrated on solo work. In 2003 he reported the loss of hearing in one ear and so curtailed his activities, particularly live work. Even so he once again joined Genesis and toured the world in 2007 and continued to be the guest drummer for notable acts including Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Led Zeppelin.
Collins has shown a remarkable longevity and although perhaps scorned by many prog rock fans as never being able to fill the large boots of Peter Gabriel, he has proved to be a brilliant musician and songwriter, albeit in a more pop orientated world. With total sales with Genesis and as a solo performer of over 200 million albums.
His first big solo hit 'In The Air Tonight' has recently received many air plays on the back of the surreal advert featuring a gorilla enthusiastically playing along, prompting the single to be re released in many countries.
Roger Gibbens
This information is provided as a brief overview and not as a definitive guide, there are other sources on the net for that. If however you have a story or information that is not generally known we would love to hear from you. Content@rokpool.com.
