Clem Cattini

Clemente Anselmo Agustino Cattini (born 28 August 1937) is an English rock and roll drummer of the late 1950s and 60s, 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 Cliff Richard and Lou Reed, and has featured on 42 UK number one singles.

Biography Born to Italian parents living in Stoke Newington, North 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, including Marty Wilde and Billy Fury. He then joined Johnny Kidd & the Pirates, Cattini was also in the Luvvers, who backed Lulu in the early days.

Cattini has played on at least 42 UK number 1 singles, including:

"Telstar" – The Tornados "Tears" – Ken Dodd "Two Little Boys" – Rolf Harris "Grandad" – Clive Dunn "Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)" – Benny Hill "Whispering Grass" – Windsor Davies and Don Estelle "Welcome Home" – Peters and Lee "Barbados" – Typically Tropical "No Charge" – J.J. Barrie "Save Your Love" – Renée and Renato "(Is This The Way To) Amarillo" – Tony Christie

He also played in the orchestra for BBC TV's Top of the Pops, and toured with Cliff Richard, Roy Orbison, Lynda Carter, The Kids from "Fame" and many others. He was also considered for Led Zeppelin – he was initially on Jimmy Page's shortlist of drummers when forming the band before they settled on John Bonham. He had earlier played alongside John Paul Jones on Donovan's hit single "Hurdy Gurdy Man".

Cattini played drums both on the records and on live performances for the Wombles band, that was based on the book and television show. On stage, Cattini dressed as the character Bungo.

In the 1980s, he reactivated the Tornados' name for tours

Cattini was portrayed by James Corden in the 2009 film Telstar and appeared himself, playing John Leyton's chauffeur.

In 2016, he recorded a new version of the 1960s hit "Telstar" with the north London ska band the Skammers.

Cattini's memoirs, My Life, Through the Eye of a Tornado, was published in July 2019. He lives in North London.

He and his wife Anna hosted football player Nicklas Bendtner when Bendtner joined Arsenal academy as a 15 year old.

Session work Cattini played drums on records for most of the top acts in the 1960s and 1970s, these include: 1960s The Kinks Herman's Hermits Dusty Springfield The Merseys Bee Gees Lulu Marianne Faithfull Tom Jones P. J. Proby The Hollies Paul Ryan Barry Ryan Gene Pitney Donovan Love Affair Jeff Beck Engelbert Humperdinck Nirvana the Ivy League Edison Lighthouse The Yardbirds The Family Dogg Marc Bolan Clodagh Rodgers Keith West The Flower Pot Men Georgie Fame Roy Harper Ralph McTell Harmony Grass Joe Cocker Graham Gouldman Brian Auger The Walker Brothers The Birds

1970s Marvin, Welch & Farrar Lou Reed Cliff Richard Justin Hayward Phil Everly Julie Covington Claire Hamill Alvin Stardust Bay City Rollers Kenny the Wombles Brotherhood of Man Carl Douglas Christie Tim Rose Demis Roussos The Goodies Stephanie de Sykes John Betjeman Malcolm and Alwyn John Schroeder Paul McCartney Hank Marvin Mike Batt Chris Spedding Bob Downes Dave Kelly Sweet Dreams Christopher Neil Evelyn Thomas Barbara Pennington Slapp Happy Mike Berry Grace Kennedy Beggars Opera Amazing Blondel Edwards Hand