- Clem Cattini
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Clem Cattini Born 28 August 1937
Stoke Newington, North London, EnglandGenres Pop music Occupations Drummer, session musician Instruments Drums, percussion Years active 1958–present Labels Decca, CBS, HMV, various Associated acts Johnny Kidd and the Pirates
The Tornados
othersClem Cattini (born 28 August 1937, Stoke Newington, North London, England), is an English rock and roll drummer who was a member of The Tornados before becoming well known for his work as a session musician. He is one of the most prolific drummers in UK recording history, appearing on hundreds of recordings by artists as diverse as Engelbert Humperdinck and Lou Reed, and has featured on 44 different UK number one singles.
Life and career
Born to Italian parents living in London, Cattini worked in his father's restaurant before deciding to pursue a career in music. He began as a drummer at The 2i's Coffee Bar, backing performers such as Terry Dene, before joining the touring band known as The Beat Boys, backing singers managed by Larry Parnes[1] including Marty Wilde and Billy Fury. He then joined Johnny Kidd and the Pirates,[1] playing on their hit "Shakin' All Over", before helping found The Tornados in 1961 and playing on their international # 1 hit "Telstar".[2] In 1965 he backed the vocal trio The Ivy League, and continued working as a session musician,[3][4] drumming on recordings and live appearances by such artists as Dusty Springfield, The Kinks, Herman's Hermits, Marianne Faithfull, Tom Jones and Joe Cocker,[1] and in the 1970s pop groups such as Bay City Rollers and Kenny while also working for a large number of progressive rock bands.[1]
Cattini has played on at least 44 UK number 1 singles,[5] including "Telstar" and "(Is This The Way To) Amarillo" by Tony Christie and Peter Kay. He also played in the orchestra for BBC TV's Top of the Pops, and toured with Cliff Richard, Roy Orbison and many others. He was considered for Led Zeppelin on a couple of occasions - he was initially on Jimmy Page's shortlist of drummers when forming the band before they settled on John Bonham,[2] and was asked to join for a brief spell in 1975 but turned down the offer.[citation needed] He had earlier played alongside John Paul Jones on Donovan's hit single "The Hurdy Gurdy Man".[4]
In the 1980s he reactivated The Tornados' name for tours.,[2][4] and in 1989 played in the West End run of The Rocky Horror Show.[1] He recently recorded the drums for the track "No Tears to Cry" from Paul Weller's new album Wake Up the Nation. He was portrayed by James Corden in the 2009 film Telstar.
References
- ^ a b c d e Larkin C 'Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music' (Muze UK Ltd, 1997) ISBN 0-7535-0149-X p101
- ^ a b c Clem Cattini at Allmusic.com
- ^ Clem Cattini at Mapex.com
- ^ a b c Interview with Cattini by Mark Forster
- ^ Clem Cattini - drummer on 44 number 1 singles
External links
- www.coda-uk.co.uk Biography
- Clem Cattini discography at Discogs
- http://www.the-tornados.com/ Tornados and Clem Cattini information centre run by Tom Hammond
- 2008 Radio Interview of WFMU
Categories:- 1937 births
- English drummers
- Living people
- English session musicians
- People from Stoke Newington
- English people of Italian descent
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