Biography
Clive Bunker helped establish Jethro Tull alongside Glen Cornick, Mick Abrahams, and Ian Anderson. As the band’s original drummer he remained through the recording of Aqualung, widely regarded as the group’s critical peak. Born and raised in Luton, Bedfordshire, he reached his formative years amid the early-1960s British beat boom. An initial attempt at guitar convinced him his abilities lay elsewhere, prompting a switch to drums; his models ranged from American jazz master Buddy Rich to the Hollies’ Bobby Elliott, a slightly older British peer.
By the middle of the decade Bunker had developed a deep interest in blues. In 1967 he and Abrahams joined the blues outfit McGregor’s Engine; around the same time they encountered Anderson and Cornick, whose own band was dissolving. The four musicians combined to launch Jethro Tull, whose early sound blended rock, blues, and folk elements.
The ensemble quickly moved beyond those beginnings. Their debut album, This Was, still honored the blues foundation and echoed the approach of Cream and similar groups while highlighting Bunker’s drumming style. Even before its release, however, the band was drifting away from jazz and blues, and Abrahams—the member most devoted to the blues—departed by the close of 1968. Cornick followed soon afterward, yet Bunker stayed for the next three albums that culminated in the commercial and critical success of Aqualung, including Jethro Tull’s first American tours.
Growing unease with the increasingly intricate progressive-rock direction Anderson’s compositions were taking, together with his decision to marry, led Bunker to leave the group. Barriemore Barlow took his place. In the years that followed, Bunker focused on operating a dog kennel and returning to engineering.
Music nevertheless remained part of his life. Chrysalis Records, Jethro Tull’s label, paired him with Procol Harum alumnus Robin Trower, Frankie Miller, and Jim Dewar in the band Jude, which signed to the imprint yet never issued an album. He later joined Blodwyn Pig, the blues-oriented project founded by Abrahams, and continued to contribute to the guitarist’s occasional ventures over subsequent decades. Additional collaborations included work with Gordon Giltrap, Steve Hillage, and Manfred Mann. More recently Bunker turned toward folk, serving as drummer for the Vikki Clayton Band in live settings.
His solo album Awakening appeared in 1998 and featured contributions from Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre. In 2005 he issued Diving in the Past with the Italian Jethro Tull tribute band Beggar’s Farm; former PFM vocalist Bernardo Lanzetti also appeared on the recording.
By the middle of the decade Bunker had developed a deep interest in blues. In 1967 he and Abrahams joined the blues outfit McGregor’s Engine; around the same time they encountered Anderson and Cornick, whose own band was dissolving. The four musicians combined to launch Jethro Tull, whose early sound blended rock, blues, and folk elements.
The ensemble quickly moved beyond those beginnings. Their debut album, This Was, still honored the blues foundation and echoed the approach of Cream and similar groups while highlighting Bunker’s drumming style. Even before its release, however, the band was drifting away from jazz and blues, and Abrahams—the member most devoted to the blues—departed by the close of 1968. Cornick followed soon afterward, yet Bunker stayed for the next three albums that culminated in the commercial and critical success of Aqualung, including Jethro Tull’s first American tours.
Growing unease with the increasingly intricate progressive-rock direction Anderson’s compositions were taking, together with his decision to marry, led Bunker to leave the group. Barriemore Barlow took his place. In the years that followed, Bunker focused on operating a dog kennel and returning to engineering.
Music nevertheless remained part of his life. Chrysalis Records, Jethro Tull’s label, paired him with Procol Harum alumnus Robin Trower, Frankie Miller, and Jim Dewar in the band Jude, which signed to the imprint yet never issued an album. He later joined Blodwyn Pig, the blues-oriented project founded by Abrahams, and continued to contribute to the guitarist’s occasional ventures over subsequent decades. Additional collaborations included work with Gordon Giltrap, Steve Hillage, and Manfred Mann. More recently Bunker turned toward folk, serving as drummer for the Vikki Clayton Band in live settings.
His solo album Awakening appeared in 1998 and featured contributions from Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre. In 2005 he issued Diving in the Past with the Italian Jethro Tull tribute band Beggar’s Farm; former PFM vocalist Bernardo Lanzetti also appeared on the recording.
Albums