Clem Cattini.html



Clem Cattini (born Clemente Anselmo Cattini, 28 August 1937,¹ Stoke Newington, North London, England²) was the drummer for the 1960s English band, The Tornados as well as being used as a session musician. Cattini 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. This included featuring on a record 45 different UK number one singles.³ According to Allmusic critic, Bruce Eder, "In the twenty-first century, he has come to be regarded as one of the most beloved figures out of early British rock 'n' roll." ²

Career

Cattini was born in London in 1937 to an Italian father and mother. After leaving school, he originally worked in his own father's cafe, but started his professional music career in he late 1950s at The 2i's Coffee Bar with a rock and roll group touring with Max Wall. Cattini went on to join 1960s pop star, Terry Dene as one of the Deneaces. He then worked with Vince Taylor and Chas McDevitt, before joining the Larry Parnes Rock and Roll shows backing such artists as Billy Fury, Vince Eager and Marty Wilde.¹

Cattini then joined Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, playing on their chart-topper, "Shakin' All Over". In 1960 he was one of the founder members of The Tornados, the first British group ever to reach No 1 in the American Billboard Hot 100 chart with "Telstar". He was one of the best known drummers in the UK during the pre-Beatles era.² Cattini stayed with the Tornados until 1965 then joined The Ivy League and played on their hits including "Tossin' and Turning".¹

He has since then recorded with the following artists: The Kinks, Paul McCartney, Bee Gees, Lulu, Lou Reed, Dusty Springfield, Bay City Rollers, Sandie Shaw, Clodagh Rodgers, Marvin, Welch & Farrar, Paul Jones, Ike & Tina Turner, The Bachelors and The Wombles amongst others. He also worked in the Top of the Pops orchestra for twelve years backing many other artists of the day.¹

Cattini's television work includes performing in orchestras backing many stars such as Michael Barrymore, Tommy Cooper, Freddie Starr, Grace Kennedy, Keith Harris and Orville; whilst his film soundtrack credits includes Just for Fun, The Krays, The Golden Disc, Swinging U.K. and Superman.¹

Cattini 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 Also at a later stage he was once asked to join Led Zeppelin for a brief spell in 1975 but turned down the offer.

Prior to this he had appeared alongside John Paul Jones on Donovan's hit single "The Hurdy Gurdy Man".³

Cattini has also been a drummer with Cliff Richard alongside Brian Bennett, and he used to tour extensively with them. He is still involved with doing session work and recorded a CD with Cliff Bennett. Previously Cattini has also toured with The Rocky Horror Show, playing in the band for the show for many years.⁴

He is presently touring with the reformed Tornados. In October 2000 Cattini was awarded a gold badge by BASCA for his services to the music industry.¹

Known for his full, straightforward, unpretentious style, he proved a drummer of choice for sounds ranging from folk rock to hard rock, and he even managed to turn up in such unexpected places, such as playing on the first album by the Amazing Blondel and working with Big Jim Sullivan.²

Interests

Cattini is a Arsenal Football Club fan and season ticket holder. He also worked at the Arsenal's London Colney training ground with their youth team.³

UK No. 1 singles featuring Cattini

1. "Shakin' All Over" - Johnny Kidd & The Pirates
2. "Well I Ask You" - Eden Kane
3. "Come Outside" - Mike Sarne with Wendy Richard
4. "Telstar" - The Tornados
5. "Diane" - The Bachelors
6. "You Really Got Me" - The Kinks
7. "It's Not Unusual" - Tom Jones
8. "Make It Easy on Yourself" - The Walker Brothers
9. "Tears" - Ken Dodd
10. "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)" - The Walker Brothers
11. "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" - Dusty Springfield
12. "Out of Time" - Chris Farlowe
13. "Green Green Grass of Home" - Tom Jones
14. "Release Me" - Engelbert Humperdinck
15. "The Last Waltz" - Engelbert Humperdinck
16. "The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde" - Georgie Fame
17. "Everlasting Love" - Love Affair
18. "Cinderella Rockefella" - Esther and Abi Ofarim
19. "I Pretend" - Des O'Connor
20. "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)" - Peter Sarstedt
21. "Something in the Air" - Thunderclap Newman
22. "Two Little Boys" - Rolf Harris
23. "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" - Edison Lighthouse
24. "Yellow River" - Christie
25. "Hot Love" - T. Rex
26. "Grandad" - Clive Dunn
27. "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep" - Middle of the Road
28. "Get It On" - T. Rex
29. "Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)" - Benny Hill
30. "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" - The New Seekers
31. "Telegram Sam" - T. Rex
32. "Son of My Father" - Chicory Tip
33. "Welcome Home" - Peters and Lee
34. "Jealous Mind" - Alvin Stardust
35. "Kung Fu Fighting" - Carl Douglas
36. "When Will I See You Again" - The Three Degrees
37. "Whispering Grass" - Windsor Davies & Don Estelle
38. "Give a Little Love" - Bay City Rollers
39. "Barbados" - Typically Tropical
40. "No Charge" - J.J. Barrie
41. "So You Win Again" - Hot Chocolate
42. "Angelo" - Brotherhood of Man
43. "Figaro" - Brotherhood of Man
44. "Save Your Love" - Renée and Renato
45. "Is This the Way to Amarillo" - Tony Christie & Peter Kay

References

External links

• Tornados and Clem Cattini information centre run by Tom Hammond
• Cattini mini-biography
• Recent photographs of Cattini
• 2008 Radio Interview of WFMU