Andy Ward (musician)
Andrew John 'Andy' Ward (born 28 September 1952 in Epsom, England) is an English progressive rock drummer.
Andy Ward | |
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![]() Andy Ward in 1977. Photograph by Ueli Frey. | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Andrew John Ward |
Born | Epsom, Surrey, England | 28 September 1952
Genres | Progressive rock, canterbury scene, neo-progressive rock |
Occupation(s) | Drummer |
Associated acts | |
Website | www |
Early life
Ward attended the City of London Freemen's School.[1] He began drumming at the age of 13 in a local rock band with Jim Butt (guitar), Doug Houston (vocals), Colin Burgess (bass) and Jan (Murray) Obodynski (keyboards).
Career
Camel (1971–81)
Ward became a founding member of the progressive rock band Camel, who formed in 1971, evolving from Ward's first band, The Brew. One of the leading lights of the English progressive rock movement, Camel enjoyed considerable success worldwide, peaking in 1975 when they performed their album The Snow Goose at the Royal Albert Hall, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra. Following a period of ill health – including problems caused by alcohol and drugs – in 1981 he was forced to retire from the band.[2] Because he left Camel, Andrew Latimer became the only original member who remained in the band.
Marillion (1983)
Two years later he resurfaced briefly with the neo-progressive rock band Marillion,[3] appearing in the video of the hit single "Garden Party" from their debut album Script for a Jester's Tear and performing with them for three months as a replacement for their original drummer, Mick Pointer, who had recently been sacked. Ward's performances with the band included an appearance on the BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test when they performed "Forgotten Sons". According to Mark Kelly, Ward had been recruited to the band without a proper audition because of his reputation. However, as both Kelly and Fish have recalled, his personal problems had resurfaced and he succumbed to a nervous breakdown midway through the band's first American tour.[4]
Canterbury (1987–2002)
Throughout the 1990s, Ward worked with Richard Sinclair's Caravan of Dreams[5] and Going Going, with Sinclair, Hugh Hopper, Vince Clarke and Mark Hewins. In 1994, he joined Mirage – a progressive "supergroup" combining members from both Camel and Caravan.[6] Other projects included the studio-only group the Chrysanthemums, led by singer-songwriter Yukio Yung (aka Terry Burrows), who received drum tracks through the post from Ward before building songs around them, playing all the other instruments himself. At this time Ward also became full-time drummer with the English rock band the Bevis Frond, with whom he recorded and toured extensively.
Present
In 2002 a compilation CD, Sticking Around, was released, highlighting his work with Camel and other projects.
In 2003, Ward participated in a short lived reformation of the original members of The Brew (with Latimer and Ferguson) and recorded material for an album that never materialized, largely due to Latimer's ongoing health issues.[7]
Discography
![](../I/m/Camel_-_Andy_Ward_(1975).jpg)
Albums with Camel
- Camel (1973)
- Mirage (1974)
- The Snow Goose (1975)
- Moonmadness (1976)
- Rain Dances (1977)
- Breathless (1978)
- I Can See Your House From Here (1979)
- Nude (1981)
Studio albums
- 1971 Phil Goodhand Tait I Think I'll Write a Song
- 1985 Adrian Shaw Tea for the Hydra
- 1988 Skaboosh Freetown
- 1991 Todd Dillingham Wilde Canterbury Dream
- 1993 Todo Dillingham Vastrmpty Spaces
- 1994 Bevis Frond Sprawl
- 1995 Bevis Frond Superseeder
- 1995 Yukio Yung Goodbye Pork Pie Brain
- 1995 Yukio Yung Hello Pulsing Vein
- 1996 Yukio Yung Mostly Water
- 1996 Richard Sinclair Caravan of Dreams
- 1997 Richard Sinclair RSVP
- 1997 The Deviants Have Left the Planet
- 1998 Bevis Frond Valedictory Songs
- 1999 The Chrysanthemums The Baby's Head
- 1999 Steve Adams Vertigo
- 2002 Bevis Frond What Did for the Dinosaurs
- 2002 Anton Barbeau King of Missouri
- 2003 Hug Hopper In a Dubious Manner
- 2003 Andy Ward Sticking Around
Live albums
- 1973 Camel Greasy Truckers Live At Dingwalls’ Dancehall
- 1978 Camel A Live Record (Double live album)
- 1992 Camel On the Road, 1972
- 1993 Richard Sinclair An Evening Of Magic (Double album)
- 1995 Mirage Live
- 1996 Camel BBC On the Road 1981
- 1998 Bevis Frond Live at the Great American Music Hall
- 1998 Country Joe McDonald Eat Flowers and Kiss Babies
Compilations albums
- 1982 Camel The Chameleon The Best Of Camel
- 1986 Camel The Collection (Double album)
- 1991 Camel Landscapes
- 1993 Camel Echoes (Double album)
- 1997 Camel Master Series
- 2001 Camel Lunar Sea (Double album)
- 2010 Camel Rainbow's End Anthology (4-CD Boxset)
Videos
- 1986 Marillion The Videos 1982–86
- 2003 Camel Curriculum Vitae
- 2004 Camel Footage
- 2005 Camel Footage II
- 2007 Camel Moondances
References
- "A Drummer's Tale". Official Andy Ward Website. Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
- "Welcome to the Official Camel Website". Camelproductions.com. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 2011-10-30.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Fugazi". Marillion.com. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
- "Loading". Sakalli.info. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- "Profiles". Calyx-canterbury.fr. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)