the history of david clark allen and 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.

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.

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.

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 (have a look at an outtake). Paul Fenton became Bolan's drummer when Carmen weren't touring or recording.

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 (have a look at a few concert pix).

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.

David put together a new group combining funk and flamenco rythyms with two brothers on bass and guitar, and a mexican salsa drummer, and keyboard player. Herb Cohen (of Frank Zappa, Tom Waits and Tim Buckley) managed them but was unable to find a label. Name?

David returned to London in 1980 to form a band with Barry Barlow, the drummer from Jethro Tull, and Chris Glen, the bass player from Alex Harvey. Met Mike Chapman and wrote two songs - Shame and Stay - which he used on Agnetha's (ex of Abba) first solo album.