#The Crazy World of Arthur Brown #psychedelic rock #experimental rock #theatrical rock #British R&B #psychedelic soul #proto-prog #operatic vocals #1960s
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown were an English rock band formed by singer Arthur Brown in 1967. The original band included Vincent Crane (Hammond organ and piano), Drachen Theaker (drums), and Nick Greenwood (bass). This early incarnation was noted for Crane's organ and brass arrangements and Brown's powerful, wide ranging operatic voice. Brown was also notable for his unique stage persona which included such things as extreme facepaint and a burning helmet. Their song "Fire" (released in 1968 as a single) sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc, reaching number one in the UK. In the late 1960s, the Crazy World of Arthur Brown's popularity was such that the group shared bills with the Who, Jimi Hendrix, the Mothers of Invention, the Doors, the Small Faces, and Joe Cocker, among others. Following the success of the single "Fire", the press would often refer to Brown as "The God of Hellfire", in reference to the shouted opening line of the song, a moniker that exists to this day. From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crazy_World_of_Arthur_Brown
