Those who know the name Clem Cattini know that he’s one of the most legendary drummers to ever man the stool from these shores. Not a household name, more’s the pity, but on a raft of massive hits that you will (or should) know.
Clem has sadly passed away, so it’s on us to tell you how great he is – for starters, he’s played on more number one hit singles in Britain than anyone else.
Clem was there at the start of the British Beat boom, and played on the hugely influential ‘Shakin’ All Over’ by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates who would inspired the likes of The Who and The Beatles and the rest, to make rock ‘n’ roll music.
Cattini would also sit in and deputise on sessions, playing for The Kinks on some of their best loved singles. He would also be the drummer on The Tornadoes ‘Telstar’, which was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic and made a name for maverick independent music producer, Joe Meek.
Through the years, he’d become a go-to session man in the UK, playing on Paul McCartney’s wonderfully daft ‘Thrillington’ album, as well as sessions for Donovan, Cliff Richard, Alvin Stardust, The Bee Gees, Paul Weller, Lou Reed, Tom Jones, and even ‘(Is This The Way To) Amarillo?’ by Tony Christie and Engelbert Humperdinck’s ‘Release Me.’
Clem was asked to join the first iteration of Led Zep, but was too busy with all the work he was getting. Either way, all your favourite drummers from the ’60s and ’70s are pretty much in agreement that Clem is one of the major factors that they got into drumming, and how he opened the door for everyone who followed.
A real legend who helped to shape pop music as we know it. Look him up. Read his biography. You won’t be disappointed.
Failing that, here’s a load of hits and tracks he’s played on to get you started.
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