carmen: the musicians

David Allen sang, played electric and acoustic guitars, as well as keyboards, and wrote most of the music of Carmen.

In 1984 David was diagnosed with cancer and after a thyroidectomy to remove cancer from throat and vocal chords, he quit singing and literally rewrote his life, to became one of the world's foremost documentary photographers in the field of erotic anthropology. His exceptional black and white photography became his trademark. Through documenting the world of extremes, publishing books - six in total - and training as a psychotherapist, David managed to beat a few of his own demons and the angel of death and once again re-invent himself.

In 1996, David opted for family life, and started out all over again in the cushy, leafy environs of south London. With his wife Pia he has worked to build up an extremely succesful photographic business, black and white studio work with families.

But he has also picked up his guitar again for the first time since 1984, re-acquainted himself with his original love - flamenco guitar - and is currently working on new music, that David says will "both hark back to the progressive rock/flamenco forms of Carmen, and open out into the realms of jazz, hip-hop and r&b". Watch this site for more info.

Roberto Amaral sang, wrote several songs, and played vibes, chimes, castanets and other percussion. But foremost, he and Angela provided the flamenco footwork that was so unique to Carmen.

Roberto was a former lead dancer in the Jose Greco dance troupe. During Carmen concerts, Roberto and Angela were peforming on a special stage, that amplified the acoustics of the Flameco dancing.

Roberto is living in Los Angeles, working as a flamenco teacher and producer; he recently performed and acted as an artistic director for the Maria Isabel Fernandez fund. He has appeared on records by Eric Henderson (1997), Los Temerarios (2000) and Caribbean Nights (2001).

Angela Allen - David's sister - sang, and provided flamenco footwork. She also played piano, mellotron and synthesizer.

After Carmen, Angela sang backing vocals on Jethro Tull's "Too old to rock'n'roll, too young too die!" (on which John also played bass).

Angela is currently living in London.

John Glascock played bass, bass pedals and sang.

Before Carmen, John Glascock had played with The Juniors (1962 - 1964), The Gods (1965 - 1969), Head Machine (1970), Toe Fat (1969 - 1970) and Chicken Shack (1970 - 1972).

After Carmen, John joined Jethro Tull. He played with them from 1975 to 1979, including the records "Too old to rock'n'roll, too young too die" and the critically-acclaimed "Songs from the wood".

John died, tragically, at the age of just twenty-eight, from complications stemming from a congenital heart defect.

John Glascock, 1951 - 1979: Rest in peace

Paul Fenton played drums and percussion.

Recently he has been working with a Marc Bolan tribute band.