b. 5 September 1949, Tamworth, Staffordshire, England. Guitarist Dave ‘Clem’ Clempson achieved early recognition as a member of Bakerloo, an inventive blues-based trio that completed an excellent album for Harvest Records. In October 1969 he replaced James Litherland in Colosseum with whom he remained for two years. Clempson then joined Humble Pie, whose brand of brash rock contrasted with that of his previous jazz rock employers. Smokin’ (1972) and Eat It (1973) offered his most emphatic work, but by 1975 the quartet was losing its direction. Clempson then formed Strange Brew with bass player Greg Ridley and drummer Cozy Powell, but this short-lived unit dissolved when the latter broke his wrist. Having briefly joined Steve Marriott’s All Stars, the guitarist formed Rough Diamond with ex-Uriah Heep singer David Byron. This ill-fated venture collapsed in 1977 with Byron embarking on a solo career. The remaining musicians became known as Champion but Clempson’s nomadic path was resumed in 1979 when he departed to join Roger Chapman. During the 80s Clempson played some of his finest work with Jack Bruce and was particularly popular in Germany. In 1994 he was part of Cities Of The Heart, the album released to celebrate Bruce’s 50th birthday. He is one of the most accomplished rock guitarists to emerge from the late 60s blues boom. His speedy precision playing is faultless, and rarely boring.