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              Carmen - the flamenco rock band                         "the most original rock band you'll ever hear"

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Carmen

David started Carmen in LA in July 1970. Originally there were seven members: In the back row, from left to right: Dennis Trerotola - extra lead singer, Mark Anthony - an extra guitarist, David Clark Allen, Brian Glascock - drummer, Angela Allen, Vicente. Seated in front: Mark Moody. They were named Los Angeles at this point.

 

 

photograph of my band Los Angeles - the flamenco rock band

Carmen mark 1

photograph of my band Rose - the flamenco rock band

jan 73: leaving for london

After a lot of shuffling about, David decided to come to London with a reduced Carmen (David, Brian Glascock, Roberto Amaral, Angela, and now John Glascock) in January 1973, after finding no label in the States that was interested. They were now known as Rose.

summer 73 - jan 74

Carmen began recording their first album - Fandangos in Space, in the summer of 73. They met Bowie, Angie, Bolan, Bryan Ferry amongst many others, and whilst recording their first album, Bowie helped promote them on his tv show, Midnight Special. Paul Fenton became Bolan's drummer when Carmen weren't touring or recording.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front row: Tony Visconti, David Clark Allen, Lydia Sarno - wardrobe lady, and John Kongos whose studio recorded the album. 

Back row: John Glascock, Angela Allen, Roberto Amaral, Paul Fenton

 

photograph of my band Carmen - the flamenco rock band and T. Visconti

Carmen Mark II - Rose

raise the curtain!

As Brian finally decided not to come, David then needed a drummer and found Paul Fenton in Kensington in a snakeskin boot shop ("the drummer I need will be the kind of man who wears snakeskin boots so I'll look in the snakeskin boot shop!"). Through Paul Fenton, David met Brian Longely, who was managing the band Paul was already in (that band was called Christie). 

Four months on, Carmen (now complete with David Clark Allen, Angela Allen, John Glascock, Roberto Amaral and Paul Fenton) met Tony Visconti and were signed almost immediately. 
 

 

photograph of my band Carmen - the flamenco rock band

The first publicity shot of final version of Carmen!

poster of Jethro Tull and CARMEN - the flamenco rock band

feb 74 - may 75

Carmen recorded their second album, Dancing On A Cold Wind, with Tony Visconti in Feb/March of '74. They flew to the US and began touring for the next year. Played with Santana, Blue Oyster Cult, Golden Earring, Rush, ELO and others.

For three months Carmen opened for Jethro Tull. They recorded their third album, The Gypsies, in April/May '75 at Longview Farm. 

By now Carmen were no longer with Tony Visconti, and Brian quit as manager after the third album was recorded. Carmen found themselves bankrupt. Paul Fenton was badly injured in a fall off a horse, and the band lost heart. When they disbanded John Glascock joined Jethro Tull and took Angela with him - they were a couple. Roberto returned to flamenco dancing and David to flamenco guitar.

 

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