CARL PALMER of ELP

Carl Palmer started playing drums at the age of 11 years old. He
comes from a long line of musicians in his family going all the
way back to his great grandmother who was a classical guitar
player. While in school, he left school played in numerous
orchestras. He could read music very well & found too easy.
He desired a path more exciting and was invited to join a rhythm
and blues band called the King Bees, which he did and he never
looked back. While playing with the King Bees, he was spotted by
Chris Farlowe who had a #1 single in England called “Out of Time”
which was written by Keith Richards & Mick Jagger. Chris told
Carl that if he ever needed the work, he would have a job with
him. When the K.B.’s finished their obligations, it was a week
before Carl finished school; which ended on a Friday. He left
home that Sunday and auditioned for Chris on Wednesday. He was
now in Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds. He stayed with them
until he was 17. Carl then started playing sessions and met
Arthur Brown. He joined the Crazy World of Arthur Brown and
before long, had a #1 album and single which brought Carl to
America for the first time. He eventually left Arthur Brown to
form Atomic Rooster. While recording (a #1 single “Tomorrow
Night”) he got a call fromGregg Lake and Keith Emerson, who were
looking for a drummer. Carl went to see what Gregg & Keith
were doing, at which time they made him an offer that he couldn’t
refuse. Just like that, we had Emerson, Lake and Palmer. They
amazed audiences and sold millions of records until disbanding in
1978. Carl took a few years off. When he reemerged, in 1981, he
joined one of the first “super-groups” called Asia. They rocked
their way through the 80’s until disbanding in 1991. Carl
rejoined E.L.P. and played until 1998. Carl then formed a prog.
rock power trio which he still plays with until today called Carl
Palmer’s E.L.P. Legacy.