The Crazy World of Arthur Brown

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
Performing in 2014
Performing in 2014
Background information
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active
  • 1967–1970
  • 2000–present
Labels
SpinoffsAtomic Rooster
Members
Past members
Websitethegodofhellfire.com

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown are 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 were noted for Crane's organ and brass arrangements and Brown's powerful, wide-ranging operatic voice.[1] Brown was also notable for his unique stage persona such as extreme facepaint and burning helmet.

Their song "Fire" (released in 1968 as a single) sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc[2] reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart and Canada, and number two on the US Billboard Hot 100[3] as well as its parent album The Crazy World of Arthur Brown which reached number 2 on the UK album charts, number 6 in Canada,[4] and number 7 in the US.[5]

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.[6]

Following the success of the single "Fire", the press would often refer to Brown as "The God of Hellfire",[7] in reference to the opening shouted line of the song, a moniker that exists to this day.[8]

  1. ^ "Pizza Express Live".
  2. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 236. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  3. ^ "Official UK Singles Top 100 – 16th February 2013 | Official UK Top 40 | music charts | Official Singles Chart". Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  4. ^ "RPM Top 50 Albums - November 2, 1968" (PDF).
  5. ^ "Crazy World of Arthur Brown - Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  6. ^ Richie Unterberger (2014). "Urban Spacemen & Wayfaring Strangers [Revised & Expanded Ebook Edition]: Overlooked Innovators & Eccentric Visionaries of '60s Rock". BookBaby
  7. ^ Unterberger, Richie. Urban Spacemen and Wayfaring Strangers, p. 46.
  8. ^ Unterberger, Richie. Urban Spacemen and Wayfaring Strangers, p. 46.