The Crazy World of Arthur Brown – Nightmare
The world of Arthur Brown is indeed a crazy one. In 1968 he and his band, the Crazy World of Arthur Brown, terrorised the charts with the incendiary psychedelic stylings of ‘Fire’, a song for which a burning cake tin balanced precariously on the head became an onstage necessity.
Although the group only released one self-titled album before splitting, with ‘Fire’ being the only chart success, there were two other, less remembered singles; ‘Devil’s Grip’ and this one, ‘Nightmare’.
‘Nightmare’ is typically extravagant, firebranding fayre, with Arthur Brown sounding like a man either possessed or teetering on the very edge of sanity. The footage comes from the Peter Sykes’ 1968 film, The Commitee.
Following the Crazy World of Arthur Brown’s implosion during a tour of the US, the “God of Hellfire” went on to form progressive rock act, Arthur Brown’s Kingdom Come, releasing three albums in the early seventies, followed by several solo albums and collaborations, notably with Hawkwind and The Alan Parsons Project. Arthur Brown continues to record and tour to this day.
If dangerously demented psychedelic rock and hair-raising Hammond hi-jinks offend thee, avert one’s eyes and ears now.
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I used to have Fire – the album. Regrettably, i sold it (albeit it to get drunk after my O levels). Arthur Brown has become a bit of a hero to me – possibly because he now looks like Gandalf. I’ve seen him interviewed occasionally over the years, mostly with regard to Glastonbury (i think he has something to do with the Avalon Fields).
Anyway, he had an amazing voice. I’d forgotten how much I loved Nightmare. Although you do expect to see Austin Powers popping up in the video
). I do have a random association; my art teacher at school played keyboards with them for a while and confirmed to us that Arthur was indeed, crazy. Very well worth hunting down and giving a listen imo. Ta ! HFoS
Haha, you’re right about Austin Powers and it’s great to hear he actually was crazy. I was amazed to discover Arthur Brown was a Yorkshireman. I always had him down as a “Crazy Yank”. Top stuff, anyways.
Incidentally, he’ll be playing a few dates with Hawkwind in December, though I don’t think any are down your way, Jon.
Incredible that this video still exists in that pristine form. I saw them play twice while promoting that album … he came out dressed as the pope at some point. The drummer kicked over his kit and announced that he had to take a leak. The keyboard player was brilliant. The band was later arrested for playing a midnight show on their hotel balcony. Thanks for this one!
Sounds like a classic bit of chaos from whatever world it is that Arthur Brown inhabits. At least he didn’t set his actual hair alight that time, which he’s done as recently as 2007. Ah well, if it ain’t broke and all that. Thanks Nazz.