FM
History
Almost by rule, every time I listen a band with Jazz leanings and so influenced by King Crimson, I send them to Art Rock, but in the case of RAINBOW THEATRE I will make an exception, because the King Crimson influence is basically oriented towards "In the Court of the Crimson King" which is the clearly Symphonic and the Jazz elements seem almost as a superficial addition more than a structural attribute of their music.
This excellent Aussie band was formed in 1973 by their natural leader, frontman and guitar player Julian Browning (Later played Mellotron and Keyboards) with Ferg McKinnon {bass} and Graeme Carter in the drums, soon after Marty Rose {vocals} and Steve Nash {sax, clarinet, congas} joined, being followed by Frank Graham {Trumpet} and Don Santin {trombone} plus Keith Hoban as new vocalist, what started as a three man Rock band went out of their hands and ended being an absolutely complex Symphonic project of eight members and if you add the fact that for the recording of their debut album "The Armada" in 1975 they hired The Victorian Opera Company Choir, this was probably the most ambitious Australian band ever.
