Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in Guildford, Surrey, in 1971. Led by guitarist Andrew Latimer, they have released fourteen studio albums and fourteen singles, as well as numerous live albums and DVDs. Although they did not achieve mainstream commercial popularity, they developed a cult following in the 1970s with albums such as "Mirage" (1974) and "The Snow Goose" (1975). In the early 1980s, they moved towards a more jazz-influenced and commercially oriented style, followed by a prolonged hiatus. Since 1991, they have operated independently, releasing albums on their own label.
Despite not having released new studio material since 2002, Camel are still occasionally performing live as of 2025. Their music has influenced artists including Marillion, Opeth, and Steven Wilson. Music journalist Mark Blake described Camel as "the great unsung heroes of 70s prog rock".
The band were formed in 1971 in Guildford, Surrey, by guitarist Andrew Latimer, drummer Andy Ward, bassist Doug Ferguson, and keyboardist Peter Bardens. Latimer, Ward, and Ferguson had previously performed in the area as a trio called Brew and had worked as a backing band for singer-songwriter Phillip Goodhand-Tait, appearing on his album "I Think I'll Write a Song" released in 1971. After ending this collaboration, they advertised for a keyboardist in Melody Maker and recruited Bardens after a successful audition. The group travelled to Ireland to fulfil prior contractual obligations connected to Bardens’ former band On, after which they adopted the name Camel. Their live debut under this name followed in December 1971 at Waltham Forest Technical College in London, supporting Wishbone Ash.
The band began touring regularly in 1972 and were managed by Geoff Jukes of the Buffalo Agency.
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