Clem Cattini, drummer who played on several UK number ones, dies at 89

Tornados co-founder and prolific session musician remembered by Tony Christie as a world class gentleman

By LineZotpaper

Published4 November 2026

Read Time2 min

Clem Cattini, the drummer who co-founded the Tornados and performed on several UK number one singles as a session musician, has died at the age of 89. Tributes have been paid by Tony Christie, Carl Palmer and the Equals; the Equals described him as a true powerhouse of percussion.

Cattini, who lived in Hertfordshire, co-founded the Tornados in 1961. Their instrumental 'Telstar' spent five weeks at the top of the UK chart in 1962, and they became the first British group to top the US Billboard Hot 100.

As a session musician, he played on number one hits including Tom Jones' 'Green, Green Grass of Home', Dusty Springfield's 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me' and Tony Christie's '(Is This the Way to) Amarillo?'. He also played on Engelbert Humperdinck's 'Release Me', Love Affair's 'Everlasting Love' and Johnny Kidd & The Pirates' 'Shakin' All Over'.

In a Facebook post, Christie described Cattini as 'a world class musician but also a world class gentleman'. He wrote: '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.'

Carl Palmer, drummer with Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Asia, said: 'The drummers all over the UK owe you a lot for opening the door for all of us.'

North London band the Equals, who topped the charts in 1968 with 'Baby Come Back', posted on social media: 'The legendary Clem Cattini, a true powerhouse of percussion and one of the most prolific drummers in British recording history. An absolute legend who leaves behind an incredible musical legacy.'

His other credits included recording with Paul Weller, the Kinks and the Wombles. He played drums on all 11 tracks of 'Thrillington', an instrumental reworking of Paul and Linda McCartney's album 'Ram', released under the pseudonym Percy 'Thrills' Thrillington. Cattini toured with Cliff Richard and Roy Orbison, and performed on television with the Top of the Pops orchestra. He was played by James Corden in the 2008 film 'Telstar', about Tornados producer Joe Meek.

Cattini was born to Italian parents in Stoke Newington, north London, in August 1937.

RSS

The Daily Edition

The front page in your inbox each weekday morning: the lead, the picks, and why each one earned its place.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Cattini's session work shaped the sound of countless British pop hits from the 1960s onward, and his drumming on 'Telstar' helped break British acts into the US market.
His death marks the loss of a link to the golden era of British session musicians, who were instrumental in creating the recorded pop canon.
Tributes from fellow musicians underscore his influence and the respect he commanded in the industry.

Background

Cattini began his career in the early 1960s, first gaining fame with the Tornados, whose instrumental 'Telstar' became a transatlantic hit. He later became one of Britain's most in-demand session drummers, playing on records by Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, Tony Christie and many others. His versatility kept him active for decades, working with artists from Paul McCartney to the Wombles.

Key Perspectives

Tony Christie: Described Cattini as 'a world class musician but also a world class gentleman' and noted that he 'played on more number 1 records than any other British drummer'. Carl Palmer: Said 'the drummers all over the UK owe you a lot for opening the door for all of us'. The Equals: Called him 'a true powerhouse of percussion and one of the most prolific drummers in British recording history' and 'an absolute legend who leaves behind an incredible musical legacy'.

Sources

Tributes paid to drummer with dozens of number ones · BBC News