Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

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September 5, 1949 in Tamworth, Staffordshire, England

 

Dave "Clem" Clempson is a British guitarist and songwriter who has made a name for himself in the world of classical music. Born on September 5, 1949, in Tamworth, Staffordshire, England, Clempson grew up in a musical family and began playing the guitar at a young age. He was inspired by the likes of Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton, and quickly developed a unique style that blended rock, blues, and classical music. Clempson's early career was marked by a series of high-profile collaborations with some of the biggest names in rock music. In the late 1960s, he joined the band Bakerloo, which also featured future Cream drummer Ginger Baker. The band released one album, "Bakerloo," in 1969 before disbanding. Clempson then joined Colosseum, a jazz-rock band that had already achieved significant success in the UK. With Clempson on board, Colosseum released several critically acclaimed albums, including "Valentyne Suite" (1969) and "Daughter of Time" (1970). In 1971, Clempson left Colosseum to join Humble Pie, a hard rock band that had already achieved international success. With Clempson on guitar, Humble Pie released several hit albums, including "Smokin'" (1972) and "Eat It" (1973). Clempson's guitar work on these albums was widely praised, and he quickly became known as one of the most talented guitarists in the world of rock music. Despite his success in the world of rock, Clempson remained passionate about classical music. In the mid-1970s, he began to explore this passion more deeply, studying classical guitar and composition. He also began to collaborate with classical musicians, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1977, Clempson released his first solo album, "Clem Clempson," which showcased his classical guitar skills. The album was well-received by critics and helped to establish Clempson as a serious classical musician. He continued to release solo albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including "In the Public Interest" (1980), "Live at the Bucket of Blues" (1995), and "Smokestack" (1999). In addition to his solo work, Clempson continued to collaborate with other musicians. In the 1980s, he joined the band Colosseum II, which featured former Colosseum bandmate Jon Hiseman on drums. With Colosseum II, Clempson released several albums, including "Electric Savage" (1977) and "War Dance" (1978). Clempson's classical music career reached new heights in the 1990s, when he began to collaborate with the London Symphony Orchestra on a series of projects. In 1993, he released "The London Symphony Orchestra Plays the Music of Jethro Tull," which featured orchestral arrangements of songs by the British rock band. The album was a critical and commercial success, and Clempson continued to work with the London Symphony Orchestra on several other projects, including "The London Symphony Orchestra Plays the Music of Queen" (1996) and "The London Symphony Orchestra Plays the Music of Pink Floyd" (1997). In recognition of his contributions to classical music, Clempson has received several awards and honors throughout his career. In 2009, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards. He has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Humble Pie. Today, Clempson continues to perform and record music, both as a solo artist and as a collaborator with other musicians.

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