TRIBUTES have been paid to prolific drummer Clem Cattini, who played on 43 No 1 hits including The Tornados' US and UK smash Telstar, written and produced by Newent’s Joe Meek.

Cattini – played by James Corden in the Meek bio-pic named after the worldwide chart-topper – was the legendary producer's house drummer in the 1960s, having already made his name as the sticks man on Johnny Kidd And the Pirates' Shakin' All Over in 1960.

The 89-year-old, who passed away on Monday (November 2), went on to play on a huge range of No 1s, from pop classics like Tony Christie's Is This The Way to Amarillo, Tom Jones' It's Not Unusual and Ken Dodd's Tears, to novelty hits like Clive Dunn's Grandad, Bennie Hill's Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West), Windsor Davies and Don Estelle's Whispering Grass, and Mike Batt's Wombles songs.

The 'session man's session drummer', he died the day after Love Affair singer Steve Ellis, who he recorded with on their 1967 No 1 Everlasting Love.

Joe Meek Society says Clem’s music ‘will live forever’

The Joe Meek Society, who hold regular weekenders in the producer’s Newent birthplace and elsewhere, posted: "Absolutely gutted tonight with the news that Clem Cattini sadly passed away yesterday.

"A total music legend who helped to create so many great records that will live forever."

In 2012, the fans' group presented Clem and Tornados bandmate Roger Lavern with a "50 Years Of Telstar" award at Meek's former Holloway Road studio.

Cattini was even considered for the Led Zeppelin drum seat by Jimmy Page, who he had recorded with on sessions alongside bass player John Paul Jones, but was "too busy" to attend arranged meetings.

Led Zeppelin (Scott Roe)

"But there again, was I the sort of person that could go all around the world in that scene? I don’t know," he later admitted.

Cattini said of working at Meek's London studio, named by weekly music magazine NME as the greatest producer of all time: "The studio was bizarre. I mean the drums were in the fireplace.

“But it was incredible, the sounds he could get out of that studio, the equipment he used and what he recorded Telstar with. Modern equipment could not get anywhere near it...

“In terms of sound production he was incredible, the forerunner of the independent producer. He was just a genius with sound.”

The discovery of hundreds of music recordings in a tea chest has sparked renewed interest in influential record producer Joe Meek. Photo: Joe Meek Society
The discovery of hundreds of music recordings in a tea chest has recently sparked renewed interest in influential record producer Joe Meek. Photo: Joe Meek Society (Joe Meek Society)

Other artists Cattini recorded with included Paul McCartney, Paul Weller, Lou Reed, The Kinks, Billy Fury, Herman's Hermits, The Bee Gees, Lulu, The Hollies, Donovan, Jeff Beck, The Walker Brothers and Joe Cocker, and he also toured with the likes of Cliff Richard and Roy Orbison.

His last No 1 was the re-recorded Is This The Way to Amarillo helmed by comedian Peter Kay in 2005.

Tony Christie, who is set to appear at Monmouth’s Savoy on April 27, 2027, as part of his Great Farewell tour, posted: “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 No 1 records than any other British drummer. He played on all my early MCA 1970s albums and all my hit singles... Not only a world class musician but also a world class gentleman.”