Clive Bunker

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Clive Bunker
Clive Bunker.jpg
Bunker performing at Cropredy Festival 2004
Background information
Birth nameClive William Bunker
Born (1946-12-30) 30 December 1946 (age 77)
Luton, Bedfordshire, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Drums
  • percussion
Years active1968–present
Labels Chrysalis
Formerly of

Clive William Bunker (born 30 December 1946) [1] is a British drummer. Bunker is best known as the original drummer of the rock band Jethro Tull, playing in the band from 1967 until 1971. [2] Never a self-professed technical drummer, Bunker engaged with the essence of blues and rock and roll, influenced by Ginger Baker and Mitch Mitchell. [1] He was also inspired by Buddy Rich and The Hollies' Bobby Elliott. [3]

Contents

Early career

Bunker was born in Luton, Bedfordshire, and played in his first band The Warriors in the 1960s. With Mick Abrahams he later formed the band known as McGregor's Engine. In this early career, playing in small venues, Bunker had an extraordinary non-matching drum kit, composed of bits and pieces of various manufacturers’ equipment. [1]

Jethro Tull

Between 1967 and 1971, he drummed for Jethro Tull. However, he left after the band released its most popular album to that date, Aqualung , to get married and spend more time with his new wife. He was replaced by Barriemore Barlow, a school friend of the group's singer/songwriter Ian Anderson. Bunker said about his decision to leave Jethro Tull while its success was growing:

"I had always told Ian, 'If I find the right lady, I'll be gone,' and I did just that. That was just at the start of their world touring in '72, and I wouldn't have been back in England for ages at a time. So I thought that I might as well end it then. Besides, Barrie was always in the background anyway, so I knew I wasn't going to put them in a difficult situation. You must understand that back then, we didn't have any time off; it was non-stop work, and I wanted to spend time with my wife." [4]

Later career

After Jethro Tull, Bunker recorded and performed as a session musician with a variety of acts, including Blodwyn Pig, Robin Trower, Steve Howe, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Jack Bruce, Gordon Giltrap, Uli Jon Roth, Electric Sun, Steve Hillage, Solstice, Glenn Hughes and Jerry Donahue.

He was a session musician on Generation X's second LP Valley of the Dolls (1979). [5]

Aviator

In 1978, Bunker founded the band Aviator with Jack Lancaster, a former Blodwyn Pig bandmate. They later released two LPs: Aviator (1979), and Turbulence (1980).

Solo works

Bunker's debut solo album, entitled Awakening, was released in 1998.

Discography

Solo

With Jethro Tull

With Steve Howe

With Generation X

With Aviator

Steve Hillage

With Electric Sun Uli Jon Roth

With Blodwyn Pig

With Manfred Mann's Earth Band

With Solstice

With Beggar's Farm

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jethro Tull (band)</span> British rock band

Jethro Tull are a British rock band formed in Blackpool, Lancashire in 1967. Initially playing blues rock and jazz fusion, the band soon incorporated elements of English folk music, hard rock and classical music, forging a signature progressive rock sound. The group's founder, bandleader, principal composer, lead vocalist, and only constant member is Ian Anderson, a multi-instrumentalist who mainly plays flute and acoustic guitar. The group has featured a succession of musicians throughout the decades, including significant contributors such as guitarists Mick Abrahams and Martin Barre ; bassists Glenn Cornick, Jeffrey Hammond, John Glascock, Dave Pegg, Jonathan Noyce, and David Goodier; drummers Clive Bunker, Barrie "Barriemore" Barlow and Doane Perry; and keyboardists John Evan, Dee Palmer, Peter-John Vettese, Andrew Giddings, and John O'Hara.

<i>Aqualung</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Jethro Tull

Aqualung is the fourth studio album by the English rock band Jethro Tull; it was released in March 1971 by Chrysalis Records. Though it is generally regarded as a concept album, featuring a central theme of "the distinction between religion and God", the band have said there was no intention to make a concept album, and that only a few songs have a unifying theme. Aqualung's success signalled a turning point in the career of the band, who went on to become a major radio and touring act.

<i>Repeat – The Best of Jethro Tull – Vol II</i> 1977 greatest hits album by Jethro Tull

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<i>Benefit</i> (album) 1970 studio album by Jethro Tull

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Barrie "Barriemore" Barlow is an English musician, best known as the drummer and percussionist for the rock band Jethro Tull, from May 1971 to June 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Barre</span> British guitarist (born 1946)

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<i>Essential</i> (Jethro Tull album) 2003 greatest hits album by Jethro Tull

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<i>The Steve Howe Album</i> 1979 studio album by Steve Howe

The Steve Howe Album is Yes guitarist Steve Howe's second solo album. It was released in 1979. The album features Yes band members Alan White, Bill Bruford and Patrick Moraz. Also featured is Jethro Tull's former drummer Clive Bunker on percussion on Cactus Boogie. Ronnie Leahy is also featured on keyboards for two songs; he would later play with Jon Anderson on his second solo album, Song of Seven in 1980.

Andy Pyle is a British bassist who is best known for playing with The Kinks from 1976 to 1978. Prior to that, he was in Blodwyn Pig (1968–1972) and Savoy Brown (1972–1974). Later, he played with Wishbone Ash.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Clive Bunker". Jethro Tull / Ian Anderson. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  2. Eder, Bruce. "Clive Bunker: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
  3. "Clive Bunker | Biography & History". AllMusic .
  4. "Jethro Tull Press: Modern Drummer, December 1990". Tullpress.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  5. 'Running with the Boss Sound', article by Derwood Andrews, 'Mojo' magazine, February 2008.