Clem Cattini Dies Aged 89 Tornados Drummer Behind Telstar

Clem Cattini, the prolific British session drummer who powered dozens of chart-topping singles and co-founded the pioneering instrumental group The Tornados, died on November 2 in London at the age of 89, bbc.com reported.

Drumming on Shakin’ All Over and Telstar

Born Clemente Anselmo Agustino Cattini in Stoke Newington, north London, in August 1937 to Italian parents, the musician built a legendary reputation across British recording history. Early in his career, he joined Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, playing on their 1960 classic “Shakin’ All Over.” According to details shared with The Strange Brew, a studio mistake during that session was kept by the producer.

Cattini also became producer Joe Meek’s in-house drummer and co-founded The Tornados in 1961. Their futuristic instrumental track “Telstar” spent five weeks at the top of the UK chart in 1962 and made them the first British group to top the US Billboard Hot 100, selling five million records globally and winning an Ivor Novello award, as noted by The Strange Brew. The track’s success was later complicated by a plagiarism lawsuit brought by French composer Jean Ledrut against Meek.

Powering Decades of Number One Hits

Beyond his work with The Tornados, Cattini established himself as one of the most sought-after session musicians in the United Kingdom, playing on 42 to 43 UK Number One singles. His studio credits spanned iconic recordings including Tom Jones’ “Green, Green Grass of Home,” Dusty Springfield’s “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me,” Tony Christie’s “(Is This the Way to) Amarillo?”, Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Release Me,” Love Affair’s “Everlasting Love,” and Donovan’s “Hurdy Gurdy Man,” where he recorded alongside future Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones.

His extensive resume also featured recordings with The Kinks, Paul Weller, The Wombles and the Bee Gees, and he toured with Cliff Richard and Roy Orbison. In 2008, actor James Corden portrayed him in the biographical film Telstar, which chronicled the life of producer Joe Meek. Cattini also chronicled his own career in his 2019 memoir, My Life, Through the Eye of a Tornado.

Tributes from Across the British Music Industry

Following news of his death, fellow musicians shared remembrances of his immense impact on British rock and roll. Tony Christie posted on Facebook calling Cattini a world-class musician and gentleman, adding that the drummer played on more number-one records than any other British drummer. Carl Palmer, drummer for Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Asia, stated that drummers across the UK owed Cattini a debt for opening doors for them. North London band The Equals described him as a true powerhouse of percussion and an absolute legend who left behind an incredible musical legacy.

So very sad to hear that the great Clem Cattini, drummer of the Tornados and prolific session drummer has passed away. Clem played on more number 1 records than any other British drummer. Proud to have known him. My condolences and love to his family.

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