Fire

by

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown

Album: The Crazy World of Arthur Brown      Released: 1968

US Chart: 2     UK Chart: 1

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Brown was a Briton born Arthur Wilson. This was his only US chart hit.

Brown often performed this while wearing a flaming hat. He was known for his zany and outrageous stage act, as witnessed by British beat writer Charles Fox on the album notes: "At first-with Arthur Brown being lowered by crane on to the stage - it looked like being just another piece of zaniness. But once Brown began his (not legible) dancing, his face concealed inside a glistening helmet and visor, a saffron robe floating from his shoulders, one became aware of a uniqueness. He belongs to a tradition which goes beyond Music Hall, right back to Mummers' plays. Yet there is a sinister element, too, and one which recalls the smell of seaweed and the rattle of spades and pails. For somehow Arthur Brown contrives to be both the malevolent Punch and-in drag, with grotesque wig and flowered gown-a psychedelic Judy. The effect is disquieting, especially when joined to the singing-fastish blues, and sung exceptionally well, with a voice that can swoop and screech and flutter. So far the Hippies have done little except to opt for smugness instead of hypocrisy. Arthur Brown could easily be the first genuine artist to come out of our local underground. He's disconcerting, even faintly perverse, but distinctly original and very, very English."

Carl Palmer, who went on to join Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, was Brown's drummer. Palmer was 17 at the time and appeared in the video. (thanks, Maeve - Cincinnati, OH)

Vocalist Brown and organist Vincent Crane are the genius behind the band. Their album is a unique insight into actions that lead to a miserable life. All cuts on the album were penned by Brown and/or Crane except for "I Put A Spell On You" by Screamin Jay Hawkins and "Money" by James Brown.

Top-40 radio stations credited this to "The Crazy World of Arthur Brown" when actually that was the album title. The artist is simply Arthur Brown.

The group's organist, Vincent Crane, who was also a member of Atomic Rooster, also provided the orchestral arrangements.

The album was produced by Kit Lambert and Pete Townshend. Although the group is considered a "one hit wonder," there is a lot more to this album. "Fire" makes more sense when heard as it was meant to be, preceded by "Prelude-Nightmare" and "Fanfare-Fire Poem." (thanks, David - Lubbock, TX, for above 5)

At the famous Mothers Of Invention concert of December 4, 1971 at the Montreux Casino, a guy with a flare gun shot into the ceiling and a fire broke out. When the small fire was first noticed, Mark Vollman the announcer was joking "The fire?... Arthur Brown in person Ladies and Gentlemen!" Later the casino burned down to the ground, an event documented in the song "Smoke On The Water." (thanks, Eberhard Hasche - Berlin, Germany)

At a concert in Lewes, England on August 25, 2007, Arthur Brown's act went awry when the fire in his flaming hat spread to Brown. He wasn't seriously hurt, but it did disrupt the performance. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

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Comments:

Is there any truth to the rumour that later albums contained songs titled "Water" and "Aloe Vera Gel", but they never received any airplay?
- Phil, Stillwater, MN

Yeah....this song? Not so much. Whatever. It has the same bad organ sound that "Inna-Gadda-Da-Vida" has. I'll have to take your word for it on the rest of the album. The urban legend was that this guy had died setting himself on fire not long after this became a hit. I guess not. Sounds like he's still alive and kicking and....ablaze.
- Mike, Matawan, NJ

Artie does a great version of 'I Put A Spell On You' on this album. One that I'm sure made Screamin' Jay Hawkins proud.
- Lester, New York City, NY

In that bit you indicated as "not legible" in the liner notes, it reads "But once Brown began his staccato dancing ..." (got the album cover right here before me).
- old_fart, nowheresville, Algeria

This song actually scared me as a young girl. Now I really like it, but find the flaming hat hilarious. Crazy all right!
- Carol, Clayton, CA

Carl Palmer did not play on the album track. He later performed on the road tour.
- Rob, Detroit, MI

Saw Arthur Brown do his 'Fire' act on a show that Tom Jones had for about one summer. Saw it then, and more recently (in the last 5 years) on TVLand (I think).
- Lester, New York City, NY

Ladies and Gentlemen, I hate to disappoint you but FIRE by Crazy World of Arthur Brown is *the* worst record serviced to top 40 radio.....EVER. EVER!!! Heck, FIRE trumps as worst song over all of the obnoxious rap-crap ever recorded in the last 15-20 years. Absolute garbage! I have never ever forgiven Atlantic Records for releasing that song here in the U.S. Shame, shame, shame!
- Mike, Knoxville, TN

That's a great song! Sounds like Frank Zappa... I heard the whole album: The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown... Amazing!!!
- Federica, Taranto, Italy

This was also their only hit in the UK as well as the US, keyboard player Vincent Crane and drummer Carl Palmer left to form Atomic Rooster shortly afterwards
- Dave, Cardiff, Wales

Everybody blew off Brown as a zany showman after this hit, but give a listen to the album it came from. It is absolutely great and stands up well- "Child of My Kingdom", "Come & Buy", "Money", I Put A Spell On You" were far better than "Fire".
- Dave, Scottsdale, AZ

"Fire" was released on Track Records in the UK, a label owned by the Who and their management.
- Don, Newmarket

I think I heard Arthur Brown was a schoolteacher. Is this true?
- Bill, Elm Creek, NE

The Who covered this song on Pete Townshend's CD "The Iron Giant".
- Vic, Wheeling, IL

This is a great hard rocking song. You're gonna burn.
- Howard, St. Louis Park, MN

"Top-40 radio stations credited this to "The Crazy World of Arthur Brown" when actually that was the album title. The artist is simply Arthur Brown. (thanks, David - Lubbock, TX, for above 5)" I don't know about that! On May 11, 1968 (my very first date!), doubled with my older sister and her fiance. What a concert, what an amazing first date! The James Cotton Blues Band, The Jagged Edge, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, followed by the Doors. The ticket and program all billed the group as "The Crazy World of Arthur Brown". I totally agree that just playing "Fire", without the necessary preludes, greatly diminsh the work. "PHIL" from San Jose, this was out in 1968. How does it become a '70's hit? Great website!
- Skye, Detroit, MI

Arthur sang "The Telltale Heart" on Alan Parsons, "Edgar Allan Poe, Tales of Mystery and Imagination." An absolutely PERFECT rendering of a person totally insane and brilliant at the same time, and sung VERY well. Absolute rock.
- Mike, Indpls, IN

In 1968 I was working at my first Radio Station: KLID in Poplar Bluff, MO. I was the 7 to Midnight Personality and Music Director. One night I got a call from one of my listeners who said she had just returned from a Student-Exchange stay in England. She told me that she had brought back a FANTASTIC record that I just HAD to hear ! It turned out that it was the British 45 Version (complete with the British 'slug/adapter' in the center hole) of "Fire" by Arthur Brown. I thought it was one of the wildest and best things that I had ever heard and began playing it that nite on my show. This was in late-July/early-August of 1968. And, "Fire" didn't reach the National Charts until early September of that year. SO, I was always told that I was THE FIRST in the U.S. to play it and chart it. I still have that 45 in my collection !
- Jonnie, St. Louis, MO

I AM THE GOD OF HELL FIRE AND I BRING YOU, FIRE! Friggen awesome, I love this song!! a 70's AM hit played in my youth.
- PHIL, San Jose, CA

This song sounds similar to The Doors....sorta like a darker version of Light My Fire.......Darken My Fire I guess
- Liam, Campbell River, Canada

Arthur Brown made the most out of his connection to Pete Townshend and the Who. Brown had a cameo appearance in the movie *Tommy* as the priest handing out communion during the song "Eyesight to the Blind".
- Gregory, Chicago, IL

Arthur STILL ROCKS OUT HARD!!! I recently attended his sons wedding and I must say the guy is simply amazing! I GOT VIDEO!
- DJ, Austin, TX

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