The group went through several personnel changes in a short period of time, and indeed it is a masked Carl Plamer, later of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, on drums in this video. His brief stint with the band was from July '68 to year's end... then he went on to form Atomic Rooster, prior to joining ELP.
If it wasn't for Arthur Brown and his demonic persona, then Gene Simmons would've had to plagiarize somebody else's schtick. In my opinion, Arthur Brown is one of the unsung heroes of rock n' roll. A true visionary.
HAH! Does this bring back memories; Had a funny incident at My Church's Summer Camp with this song; we were about to pick up the Fr. Bill to go to the campground and just before we get to his cabin, this song comes up on the 8-track...Needless to say, somebody shrieking, "I AM THE GOD OF HELLFIRE!" would have raised a few eyebrows, so the scramble to shut off the radio was something to be seen. 36 years later it seems funny.
The interesting about Arthur Brown's group is that it didn't have guitars. It was basically an organ Jazz combo that retooled to play rock. For this cut, the producers dubbed in a few brass and woodwind instruments at strategic intervals.
Wow, really? I never noticed that till now. I'm 19 and when I saw this on VH1 Classic around 2003, I wanted this song immediately. Bought the Crazy World album, imported from Europe (I was 11 years old, my goodness). Haven't picked up any of Arthur's other material. I saw some Kingdom Come albums in a record store. I may have to get them...
@JCJasion There's a guitar shown in the video--a Gibson. Though it's being played much like a bass. But no guitar or guitarist is listed for the band. So was that done for visual effect only? Was the guitar strung heavily enough to play as bass? Or was it a very early 6 string bass? My guess is the second.
@mzmadmike - My guess is that a lot of soul-Jazz organ lounge combos had that kind of instrumentation used in that fashion. I think it's in another cut, in "Child Of My Future" if the title serves me correctly ( I have to check that - I have the LP somewhere ) that there is a segment where the group starts playing funky organ combo Jazz. I remember as a 17-year-old thinking that that was the best part of the album, but by then, I had already been innoculated with the Jazz virus.
@mzmadmike That's Nick Greenwood playing 6-string bass. He was in the band under a different name - Sean Nicholas. He plays bass on stereo version of the album. He also performed with the band on stage. Originally however there were only 3 members of Crazy World of Arthur Brown: Arthur himself, Vincent Crane and Drachen Theaker.
The interesting about Arthur Brown's group is that it didn't have guitars. It was basically an organ combo that retooled to play rock. For this cut, the producers dubbed in a few brass and woodwind instruments at strategic intervals.
Your gonna burn. Your gonna burn. Your gonna burn, burn burn burn Burn Burn Burn BURN BURN BURN BUUUUUUUUUUUURRRNNN! AH HA HA HA AHHH HA HA HA AHHHH HA HA HA
This opens by saying its a masked Carl Palmer which it is but its not him drumming, he's miming as it was Drachen Theaker who actually played the drums on this single. Carl is/was a fantastic drummer all the same but Drachen was unique and a genius innovator with a knowledge of rhythm beyond most.Sadly passed too early in 92
@bhilaj Good to know that there are people out there who appreciate Drachen. IMO he was an excellent drummer (Listen to Nightmare or Fire Poem and you'll know what I'm talking about!). Vincent was an excellent organist and Nick Greenwood was a very good bassist. The band was unsuccesfull because they were mishandled by their manager.
Sorry, Tim.. you shouldn't sing this song at work unless you own the company. In which case, you can sing it with relish and even do the dance. Indeed, let's dedicate this song to all of our exes you probably now live in Texas. badda bing
Arthur is a little over the top, but this song rocks. The see-thru smiley masks are spooky cool, which matches the spooky organ using that evil flatted 5th note -like Black Sabbath went on to use as part of their signature sound. Not to mention the countless bands they influenced, that use it too.
Cool! We listen this song on radio in americal camp, in game Battlefield1942 with Vietnam modification Eve of Destruction! And australian army have landrovers, ther on radio we also hear this song!
Great song!! Arthur Brown is now a guitarist working for some therapist somewhere out in Arizona. I read that in a "Where are they Now" column in People magazine. He plays to people who are sad and need uplifting.
that is NOT Carl Palmer. he joined after this was released, because their drummer had a fear of flying so they needed a replacement for their US Tour.
Great song but incredibly spooky, gives me the creeps. It was on the BBC back when I was 6, my mother freaked out telling me the singer was like the Devil and turned the TV off. Thought it daft at the time but like the Stones "Sympathy for the Devil" it definitely freaks me out nowadays.
@peterkin1010 Hee, hee i had the same experience mate. Two things freaked me out back then - the Daleks and Arthur on Top of the Pops! I would get right up to the telly when he started the manic laughter and frighten myself, but enjoy it too......
Arthur is a great guy, a genuine British eccentric - he has or did have a parrot which he trained to screech "I am the God of Hellfire" when there was a knock at the door (true)
Loved dancing to this at the Club A-Go-Go/Newcastle Uni. Raves...............happy daze. Does anyone know who the organist was on this and later stuff? Mike Greville-Harris?
He used to sing through a Marshall 50 watt valve PA .when he was at the Middle Earth club in Covent Garden , brilliant !! We sometimes played on the same bill . He was a great performer
I know it sounds stupid now, but when I went to Cobo Arena with Nancy to see Arthur brown we held hands for the first time. A feeling that shot tingles up my spine.
Can I just say something? Between 1970 and 1972 bands had a chance to perform without playback and they did much better than in album. I wish I could see '68s version (with Crane and Palmer) without playback... or is there on YT?
..And he has a freaking "eye" on his stomach... Wow.. weird.. My nick name is "Eye" and I draw an eye all the time in my art.. First time seeing this rare video. What the f%%%?!!!! Another strange coinidence!
OMG! I was in grade school when I used to listen the 45 record of this haunting song! Wow.. thanx for posting the video.. This is really kool! HaPpY Halloween everyone!!!! ~ Laterz
Back in 68' they had much better lsd,weed,ludes and anything else.if this dude(carl palmer/arthur brown) was straight,he must of been a blast to hang with like my friend Gomer in Havertown who used to steal post office jeeps,take cop's hats and batons out of their parked police cars,walk into the middle of the intersection directing traffic with the cop's hat and baton.He jumped out of a 2nd story window headfirst in english class after he finished reciting a poem just for a finish no one forgot
@zbestwun2001 Arthur Brown is English from Yorkshire, and I met JCB a few years before his death, when he was guest vocalist with Zappa interpreters the Muffin Men, and a very nice man he was, but what big hands !!
The group went through several personnel changes in a short period of time, and indeed it is a masked Carl Plamer, later of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, on drums in this video. His brief stint with the band was from July '68 to year's end... then he went on to form Atomic Rooster, prior to joining ELP.
slimshine953 2 weeks ago
If it wasn't for Arthur Brown and his demonic persona, then Gene Simmons would've had to plagiarize somebody else's schtick. In my opinion, Arthur Brown is one of the unsung heroes of rock n' roll. A true visionary.
420Slaterson 1 month ago
XD I wonder how The Beatles members felt when this guy came onto the spotlight...what was John Lennon's reaction!
skeaneable 1 month ago
I squirted in my first pink taco while this song was playing on my '66 Chevy's AM radio.
TheCatawbaClaw 1 month ago
@TheCatawbaClaw like we needed to know that
FaerieCrone 1 month ago
This was apparently number one on the music charts the week I was born. How cool is that?
magesfolly 2 months ago
Love this song so much reminds of my youth...and the mask WOW
rawedgeman01 2 months ago
Great mask too
rawedgeman01 2 months ago
Brilliant song great showman in his day
rawedgeman01 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
If you like Arthur Brown, you've got to check out the new Pepe Deluxe comeback song after 5 years of waiting! Type in 'The Storm - Pepe Deluxe'.
masstsnk 3 months ago
Now wetherspoons have bought "The Big Angel" in Whitby maybe......just maybe they will rename it "The Crazy World of Arthur Brown".?
MrSwift500 3 months ago
Vincent Crane is the real musician in this work.
yonaguska4 5 months ago
HAH! Does this bring back memories; Had a funny incident at My Church's Summer Camp with this song; we were about to pick up the Fr. Bill to go to the campground and just before we get to his cabin, this song comes up on the 8-track...Needless to say, somebody shrieking, "I AM THE GOD OF HELLFIRE!" would have raised a few eyebrows, so the scramble to shut off the radio was something to be seen. 36 years later it seems funny.
nickmitsialis 6 months ago
Comment removed
studdsreturbo 7 months ago
Good ....
ZUBI1492 8 months ago
i like the steel mask but man the makeup was so fuking sickk man
pokethunder 9 months ago
The interesting about Arthur Brown's group is that it didn't have guitars. It was basically an organ Jazz combo that retooled to play rock. For this cut, the producers dubbed in a few brass and woodwind instruments at strategic intervals.
JCJasion 11 months ago
@JCJasion
Wow, really? I never noticed that till now. I'm 19 and when I saw this on VH1 Classic around 2003, I wanted this song immediately. Bought the Crazy World album, imported from Europe (I was 11 years old, my goodness). Haven't picked up any of Arthur's other material. I saw some Kingdom Come albums in a record store. I may have to get them...
Jethrofinger 11 months ago
@JCJasion There's a guitar shown in the video--a Gibson. Though it's being played much like a bass. But no guitar or guitarist is listed for the band. So was that done for visual effect only? Was the guitar strung heavily enough to play as bass? Or was it a very early 6 string bass? My guess is the second.
mzmadmike 11 months ago
@mzmadmike - My guess is that a lot of soul-Jazz organ lounge combos had that kind of instrumentation used in that fashion. I think it's in another cut, in "Child Of My Future" if the title serves me correctly ( I have to check that - I have the LP somewhere ) that there is a segment where the group starts playing funky organ combo Jazz. I remember as a 17-year-old thinking that that was the best part of the album, but by then, I had already been innoculated with the Jazz virus.
JCJasion 11 months ago
@mzmadmike That's Nick Greenwood playing 6-string bass. He was in the band under a different name - Sean Nicholas. He plays bass on stereo version of the album. He also performed with the band on stage. Originally however there were only 3 members of Crazy World of Arthur Brown: Arthur himself, Vincent Crane and Drachen Theaker.
gietek 8 months ago
The interesting about Arthur Brown's group is that it didn't have guitars. It was basically an organ combo that retooled to play rock. For this cut, the producers dubbed in a few brass and woodwind instruments at strategic intervals.
JCJasion 11 months ago
Your gonna burn. Your gonna burn. Your gonna burn, burn burn burn Burn Burn Burn BURN BURN BURN BUUUUUUUUUUUURRRNNN! AH HA HA HA AHHH HA HA HA AHHHH HA HA HA
Now that's a rock n roll lyric!
UnderStoryProd 1 year ago
And by the way you can see Pete Soley playing the organ.
gietek 1 year ago
andy consy get in touch
dcconsi 1 year ago
This opens by saying its a masked Carl Palmer which it is but its not him drumming, he's miming as it was Drachen Theaker who actually played the drums on this single. Carl is/was a fantastic drummer all the same but Drachen was unique and a genius innovator with a knowledge of rhythm beyond most.Sadly passed too early in 92
bhilaj 1 year ago
@bhilaj Good to know that there are people out there who appreciate Drachen. IMO he was an excellent drummer (Listen to Nightmare or Fire Poem and you'll know what I'm talking about!). Vincent was an excellent organist and Nick Greenwood was a very good bassist. The band was unsuccesfull because they were mishandled by their manager.
gietek 1 year ago
Absolutely off-the-hook!! Brings back lots of crazy memories.
GoodNoteDJ 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This is how Joe Biden began his career.
Greenhornet270 1 year ago
"Lunchbox" Marylin Manson! I bring you... Fire!
khukhem1001 1 year ago
First time I heard of this fella was on Bruce Dickinsons chemical wedding album
Xeper1979 1 year ago
Happy Guy Fawkes Day!!!!...HAHAHAHA!
yarekhunt 1 year ago
I should send this as a link to the "lady" who fired me from my last job.
Got someone else to do it, too.
Yakovlievich 1 year ago
All fire alarms in the world should be replaced by this song on April fools' :3
clonecommander62 1 year ago 24
lol chill out man..... dont hurt yourself. I think he's having a seizure
TheB0ulevardz 1 year ago
greaaaaaat lyrics, music...the song is banging
funkadelicatelady 1 year ago
Sorry, Tim.. you shouldn't sing this song at work unless you own the company. In which case, you can sing it with relish and even do the dance. Indeed, let's dedicate this song to all of our exes you probably now live in Texas. badda bing
christopherm2k 1 year ago
I dedicate this song to my ex fiancee.....HAHAHAHAHA!
yarekhunt 1 year ago 2
@yarekhunt hey me to
landshark2008 1 year ago
I love that maniacal laugh in the latter part of the song!!!!
talesofthezombie 1 year ago
how old is this song frome him?
Snsuzele 1 year ago
tried to sing this at work today, got some strange looks
timthemagicbus666 1 year ago
Arthur is a little over the top, but this song rocks. The see-thru smiley masks are spooky cool, which matches the spooky organ using that evil flatted 5th note -like Black Sabbath went on to use as part of their signature sound. Not to mention the countless bands they influenced, that use it too.
airevolt1 1 year ago
The two people who dislike this video are stupid.
nickknox75 1 year ago
i met him once with my dad! :D
EvieOfficial 1 year ago
sweet! if you dig this check out: hellfire social - bleeding in circles
hellfiresocial 1 year ago
Cool! We listen this song on radio in americal camp, in game Battlefield1942 with Vietnam modification Eve of Destruction! And australian army have landrovers, ther on radio we also hear this song!
sermann123 1 year ago
Great song!! Arthur Brown is now a guitarist working for some therapist somewhere out in Arizona. I read that in a "Where are they Now" column in People magazine. He plays to people who are sad and need uplifting.
nyshortline 1 year ago
that is NOT Carl Palmer. he joined after this was released, because their drummer had a fear of flying so they needed a replacement for their US Tour.
flibideegibbit 1 year ago
check out the Arthur Brown music I have uploaded on my channel
mrjcoolness 1 year ago
this is carazy!
tiben36 1 year ago
I always liked this song, but had never seen the band or even a video until today. CRAZY! LOVE IT - it is SO 60s/70s.
Exzeluke 1 year ago
Great song but incredibly spooky, gives me the creeps. It was on the BBC back when I was 6, my mother freaked out telling me the singer was like the Devil and turned the TV off. Thought it daft at the time but like the Stones "Sympathy for the Devil" it definitely freaks me out nowadays.
peterkin1010 1 year ago
@peterkin1010 Hee, hee i had the same experience mate. Two things freaked me out back then - the Daleks and Arthur on Top of the Pops! I would get right up to the telly when he started the manic laughter and frighten myself, but enjoy it too......
Arthur is a great guy, a genuine British eccentric - he has or did have a parrot which he trained to screech "I am the God of Hellfire" when there was a knock at the door (true)
gotears2listen 1 year ago
Loved dancing to this at the Club A-Go-Go/Newcastle Uni. Raves...............happy daze. Does anyone know who the organist was on this and later stuff? Mike Greville-Harris?
MadAsABoxaFrogs 1 year ago
I'd bet the guys from slipknot have seen this video.
PageandPlant4Life 1 year ago
He used to sing through a Marshall 50 watt valve PA .when he was at the Middle Earth club in Covent Garden , brilliant !! We sometimes played on the same bill . He was a great performer
mickhutchinson 1 year ago
@mickhutchinson Was it true he actually set his head alight once or isthat rumour?
gotears2listen 1 year ago
@gotears2listen Things are a bit Hazy I think it was an accident .
mickhutchinson 1 year ago
Never did acid. After watching this video I feel I have made the right decision.
skinthewhiterabbit 1 year ago
Then you're missing out. Of any illicit drugs, psychedelics have the most potential to be beneficial. But like anything, too much is a bad thing.
DapperDan1977 1 year ago 12
@skinthewhiterabbit This is just acting.
globe255 1 year ago
I know it sounds stupid now, but when I went to Cobo Arena with Nancy to see Arthur brown we held hands for the first time. A feeling that shot tingles up my spine.
bnylons 2 years ago
This song is trippy.
rubinoos1 2 years ago 2
Can I just say something? Between 1970 and 1972 bands had a chance to perform without playback and they did much better than in album. I wish I could see '68s version (with Crane and Palmer) without playback... or is there on YT?
Eldryzif 2 years ago
What's really scary is that AB still performs!!
GSBeliever 2 years ago 2
this song was meant for Vietnam
UnbreakableMan1988 2 years ago
That's Carl Palmer from Emerson Lake and Palmer on the drums......
chefrick 2 years ago
...and Vincent Crane from Atomic Rooster, that with his short hair doesn't look like Vincent we've seen on coloured videos.
Eldryzif 2 years ago
..And he has a freaking "eye" on his stomach... Wow.. weird.. My nick name is "Eye" and I draw an eye all the time in my art.. First time seeing this rare video. What the f%%%?!!!! Another strange coinidence!
eye9637isis 2 years ago
OMG! I was in grade school when I used to listen the 45 record of this haunting song! Wow.. thanx for posting the video.. This is really kool! HaPpY Halloween everyone!!!! ~ Laterz
eye9637isis 2 years ago
One of my very favorite songs way back when ... SO GLAD to find this post now!!!
Paintpro91952 2 years ago
Great video, never seen it before
chombito1 2 years ago
Far out!! Makes me think,..if Vincent Price were to become a rock performer, then he'd probably be something like THIS guy.
Skulldini 2 years ago
I saw his show in Los Angeles with Dr John the Night Tripper in the 60's, it was an awesome night.
IStillSay 2 years ago
Comment removed
cjjaxxon 2 years ago
for some reason, when he says fire, makes me remember old goth bands....
LOL its on hot fuzz,.....
gotta respect ur elders....
xD
MITFOR 2 years ago 3
I laughed so hard when it makes it's 5 second cameo on Hot Fuzz!
ChrisCummins 2 years ago
hahah! Just looked this up because I've been giggling about the gag in Hot Fuzz!
"FI-YAH!!!"
Cool video, its like The Tom Green Show title sequence before that dude was even born!
japan2themax 2 years ago
So far ahead of his time he's meeting us on his way back. Arthur Brown for prime Minister!
propaganda68 2 years ago 2
this was in Hot Fuzz
Dooby1986 2 years ago 2
i love randomness haha :D!
mrwelbourn 2 years ago
Comment removed
615am 2 years ago
This oldie rocked me in my childhood... Fourty years ago !!
as good as honey for me !!!
Thank you !
Tinky :-)
Tinkyfurax 2 years ago
sirhippyvondippy: one of the coolest comments on utube so far!!!:)
tomhits 2 years ago 2
WOW! I love this new group. Where could I see them tour at? I didnt see anything on ticketmaster.
SirHippyVonDippy 2 years ago 2
build a time machine, travel back to the 60s, profit
HanzFogl 2 years ago 2
Back in 68' they had much better lsd,weed,ludes and anything else.if this dude(carl palmer/arthur brown) was straight,he must of been a blast to hang with like my friend Gomer in Havertown who used to steal post office jeeps,take cop's hats and batons out of their parked police cars,walk into the middle of the intersection directing traffic with the cop's hat and baton.He jumped out of a 2nd story window headfirst in english class after he finished reciting a poem just for a finish no one forgot
fineagain420 3 years ago 3
Cool story.
IStillSay 2 years ago
Arthur was very good friends with Jimmy Carl Black from the Mothers.
I think they both were from Texas.
zbestwun2001 2 years ago
lol are you nuts..Arthur is CLEARLY brittish..
stojanovich 2 years ago 2
He is most certainly British but he did live here in Austin for several years.
backstabbath 2 years ago
@zbestwun2001 Arthur Brown is English from Yorkshire, and I met JCB a few years before his death, when he was guest vocalist with Zappa interpreters the Muffin Men, and a very nice man he was, but what big hands !!
Fireperv 1 year ago
Classic weirdness. Thanx. ^__^
amrak63 3 years ago
This is truly a legendary song and artist!! Thanks for postin' this amgio! Adios!
DevilNeverCry666 3 years ago