Bottom's up to Clem Cattini

Clem Cattini gets to the bottom of a Guinness.

Happy birthday, Clem Cattini!

Clem ... who? Why, the legendary British session drummer who has appeared on 45 No.1 records in the UK, several of which were also hits in the U.S. (see list below).

It's interesting we mentioned "Hurdy Gurdy Man" earlier this week and the dispute over who played electric guitar on Donovan's chart-topping record.  Cattini, who played drums on the session, ends the argument with this comment posted on his website:

Funny I should be asked about "Hurdy Gurdy Man". I spoke to John Paul Jones who played bass on it and was the MD (musical director). The guitar player was Alan Parker. American Web sites say that John Bonham and Jimmy Page played on it. This is absolute Bullshit as JPJ said.

An email from Jones lists the players as follows:
Donovan,  acoustic guitar
John Paul Jones,  arrangement/musical director and bass guitar
Alan Parker, lead (electric) guitar
Clem Cattini,  drums

Hey, that's good enough for us!  Now on to those No. 1 songs on which Cattini worked the kit:

1. Shaking All Over, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates
2. Well I Ask You, Eden Kane
3. Come Outside, Mike Sarne
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. Ballad Of Bonnie & Clyde, Georgie Fame
17. Everlasting Love, The Love Affair
18. Cinderella Rockefella, Esther & 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, 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, Benny Hill
30. I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing, New Seekers
31. Telegram Sam, T. Rex
32. Son Of My Father, Chicory Tip
33. Welcome Home, Peters & Lee
34. Jealous Mind, Alvin Stardust
35. Kung Fu Fighting, Carl Douglas
36. When Will I See You Again, 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, Renee & Renato
45. (Is This The Way To) Amarillo, Tony Christie