Henry Anthony George Spinetti (born 31 March 1951) is a Welsh session drummer whose playing has featured on many prominent rock and pop albums.
Career Spinetti was born in Cwm, Monmouthshire, Wales. His first band, when aged 12-13, was The Toby Four (named after Toby beer), which rehearsed in the Ambray Hotel and played songs by The Shadows, amongst others. He then joined a group called The Choice from Tredegar, with a guitarist influenced by Jimi Hendrix. After this he joined Cardiff band The Clockwork Motion, which played as far afield as Newcastle and Birmingham, with Spinetti playing a Premier Black Pearl drum kit. He then secured an audition for London band Floribunda Rose. He travelled to London, with his drums, on the train, and went to the band's flat in Earl's Court; he played four or five numbers and got the job. The band changed its name to Scrugg and went to the Top 10 Club in Hamburg.
Spinetti began his recording career with Scrugg, with the Pye label. Band members included fellow Welshman Jack Russell, Christos Demetriou and the South African singer-songwriter, John Kongos. In the early 1970s, Spinetti appeared with Kongos on BBC Television's Top of the Pops performing Kongos' hit single, "He's Gonna Step on You Again". After leaving Scrugg, Spinetti's early work included spells with The Herd and Judas Jump, who were the opening act at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970. The Herd and Judas Jump included bassist Andy Bown, who later joined Status Quo. Spinetti was also a member of the UK band Hustler, which released two albums—High Street (1974) and Play Loud (1975), the latter produced by Roy Thomas Baker.
Spinetti played on eight of the ten tracks on Gerry Rafferty's album City to City, including the hit "Baker Street"), and also played in the 2002 memorial concert for George Harrison, "The Concert For George". In 2011 Spinetti recorded with Andy Bown again, playing drums on Bown's solo album, Unfinished Business. Spinetti was a member of Eric Clapton's touring band in the 1980s and the 2010s.
Recording credits
Spinetti's recording credits include the following:
With Joan Armatrading Whatever's for Us (Cube Records, 1972) Show Some Emotion (A&M Records, 1977) To the Limit (A&M Records, 1978)
With Vicki Brown Lady of Time (RCA Victor, 1989)
With Chanter Sisters Shoulder to Shoulder (Safari, 1978)
With Eric Clapton Another Ticket (RSO Records, 1981) August (Warner Bros. Records, 1986) Old Sock (Surfdog Records, 2013) I Still Do (Surfdog Records, 2016)
With Roger Daltrey Ride a Rock Horse (Track Records, 1975)
With Bob Dylan Down in the Groove (Columbia Records, 1988)
With Roger Chapman Chappo (Arista Records, 1979) Hybrid and Lowdown (Polydor Records, 1990)
With George Harrison Gone Troppo (Dark Horse Records, 1982)
With Paul McCartney CHOBA B CCCP (Melodiya, 1988)
With Katie Melua Call Off the Search (Dramatico, 2003) Piece by Piece (Dramatico, 2005) Pictures (Dramatico, 2007) The House (Dramatico, 2010) Secret Symphony (Dramatico, 2012) Ketevan (Dramatico, 2013)
With Gerry Rafferty Can I Have My Money Back? (Line Records, 1972) City to City (United Artists Records, 1978)
With Cliff Richard Stronger (EMI, 1989)
With Leo Sayer Silverbird (Chrysalis Records, 1973)
With Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane Rough Mix (MCA, 1977)
With Bonnie Tyler Diamond Cut (RCA Records, 1978)
With Gary Brooker Echoes in the Night (Line Music Gmbh - Phonogram, 1985)
With Procol Harum The Prodigal Stranger (Zoo Entertainment, 1991)
With Bill Wyman Groovin' (Roadrunner Records, 2000)
Personal life Spinetti is the younger brother of actor Victor Spinetti (1929–2012). Spinetti married Susan Styles in Coventry, Warwickshire, England in 2004.
References
External links Work with Procol Harum & Gary Brooker The Musician's Olympus