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.
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