Chester Kamen

Chester Kamen
Kamen in New York in 1986
Kamen in New York in 1986
Background information
BornHackney, London
GenresPop, pop rock, art rock, progressive rock
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, producer, songwriter
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
  • bass
  • harmonica
Years active1985-present

Chester Kamen is an English session guitarist, whose work has included performing with Paul McCartney, Bryan Ferry, Bob Geldof, Natalie Imbruglia, Madonna, Duran Duran, Robbie Williams, Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Seal, Massive Attack, Kirsty MacColl, Belouis Some and Gabrielle.[1][2][3]

Early life

Kamen started playing the guitar at the age of 11, and at 18, he turned professional. His first recording was with the band called Numbers. Kamen and the Numbers vocalist, Ouida, teamed up and were discovered by Bryan Ferry who produced their self-penned single entitled, "Pick Up In a Nightclub". He is the elder brother of Nick Kamen and Barry Kamen. Chester has three children; Joni, Finley, and Ben. Although they both frequently worked with Pink Floyd musicians, he is not related to Michael Kamen.

Career

In 1985, Kamen performed on stage at Live Aid alongside Pink Floyd's guitarist David Gilmour as part of Bryan Ferry's backing band, first playing with Ferry on his Boys and Girls album also in 1985. He continued to work with Ferry into the 1990s. Kamen joined him for the 1989 dates of his Bête Noire tour and was the lead guitarist on the 1994 dates of his Mamouna tour. Kamen also co-wrote and co-produced some of the tracks on Ferry's Bête Noire album including the song "Seven Deadly Sins" along with Guy Pratt.[4]

Around 1990, Chester formed a band called Wildlife with Geoff Dugmore and Steve Barnacle which toured with Jeff Healey.[5] They produced an album eponymously named Wildlife with Epic ref Epic 467361 2.[6] These are not to be confused with other bands of the same name. They appear to have been short lived and didn't produce any other material apart from a Single/EP[7]

In 2002, when Roger Waters continued his In The Flesh Tour, Kamen was brought on board to replace Doyle Bramhall II, who had other commitments and could not commit to the tour. Kamen's association with Waters continued, when he replaced Andy Fairweather-Low on guitars and backing vocals, for the 2008 leg on Waters' The Dark Side of the Moon Live tour. Kamen also notably appeared with Waters and David Gilmour when they performed a short set together for the charity Hoping Foundation, in Oxfordshire, England on 11 July 2010. In 2016, Kamen toured as part of David Gilmour's band, taking part in his Rattle That Lock Tour.

In May 2021, Kamen released the track "Stories" performed by his band The Twins: "Dedicated to the memory of my two beloved little brothers, Nick and Barry".[8]

Selected discography

Year Title Artist
1985 Boys and Girls Bryan Ferry
1985 Some People Belouis Some
1987 Bête Noire Bryan Ferry
1988 Big Thing Duran Duran
1989 Like a Prayer Madonna
1990 Wild and Lonely The Associates
1990 Wildlife Wildlife
1991 Seal Seal
1993 Symphony or Damn Terence Trent D'Arby
1994 Mamouna Bryan Ferry
1994 Protection Massive Attack

References

  1. ^ "The Pink Floyd Who is who - K". Pinkfloydhyperbase.dk. Archived from the original on 18 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  2. ^ "Chester Kamen | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  3. ^ "Chester Kamen Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  4. ^ "Chester Kamen Music Videos". Ovguide.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  5. ^ "11/10/1990: Jeff Healey / Wildlife at Hammersmith Odeon Hammersmith, England, United Kingdom | Concert Archives". Concertarchives.org. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Wildlife - Wildlife". Discogs.com. 1990. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Chester Kamen and Wildlife. "Danced My Life Away"". Retrieved 1 March 2022 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ "Chester Kamen."Stories" by The Twins". Retrieved 3 June 2021 – via YouTube.

Chester Kamen discography at Discogs Edit this at Wikidata