Clive Burr

Clive Burr
Background information
Birth name	Clive Ronald Burr
Born	(1957-03-08)8 March 1957 East Ham,Essex, England
Died	12 March 2013(2013-03-12)(aged 56) London, England
Genres	Heavy metal,hard rock
Occupation(s)	Musician
Years active	1977–2013
Formerly of	Iron Maiden,Samson,Stratus,Alcatrazz,Praying Mantis,Gogmagog,Trust,Elixir,Desperado

Clive Ronald Burr(8 March 1957 – 12 March 2013) was an English musician. He was the drummer of theheavy metalbandIron Maidenfrom 1979 to 1982.Together with fellow Iron Maiden memberDennis Stratton,he joinedPraying Mantisfor the recording of their 1996 live albumCaptured Alive in Tokyo City.

Career

Previously a member ofSamson,Burr joinedIron Maidenin 1979. Auditioning and joining upon the recommendation of then-Iron Maiden guitaristDennis Stratton,Burr played on their first three records:Iron Maiden,Killersand their breakthrough releaseThe Number of the Beast,the last of which was the Maiden debut ofBruce Dickinson.Burr was fired from the band in 1982 duringThe Beast on the Roadtour.He was replaced by the band's current drummer,Nicko McBrain.Burr co-wrote one song onThe Number of the Beast,"Gangland", and another song, "Total Eclipse", that was cut from the album and showed up as theB-sideof the "Run to the Hills"single, and later on theNumber of the Beastremastered CD re-release, and again on the 2022 40th Anniversary record, where it replaced Gangland. Burr also appeared on "The Number of the Beast", "Run to the Hills" and "Women in Uniform" (a cover of the Australian bandSkyhooks).

In an interview withClassic Rockin February 2011, Burr candidly discussed his split from Maiden. Describing much of what has been written about the split as "hogwash", Burr indicated that he was ousted from the band after taking a break to mourn the recent death of his father, rebutting claims that his departure was due to overindulgence.Bruce Dickinson's 2017 autobiography suggests Burr was ousted due to personality conflicts withSteve Harriswhich led to the two arguing and acting out during performances.

After "leaving" Iron Maiden, Burr briefly played in the French groupTrust,thus switching places with McBrain, and briefly with the American bandAlcatrazz.Burr was featured in the short-livedNWOBHMsupergroupGogmagogwhich also included ex-Iron Maiden vocalistPaul Di'Annoand future Maiden guitaristJanick Gers,exWhitesnakebassistNeil Murrayand exDef LeppardguitaristPete Willis.He also had a band known as Clive Burr's Escape (later known asStratus), featuring formerPraying Mantismembers and futureUriah HeepvocalistBernie Shaw,which disbanded after releasing one album. Burr then joinedDee Sniderin his post-Twisted SisteroutfitDesperado,which was never fully realized due to a falling out with the band's record company. Burr performed with British bandsElixirand Praying Mantis in the 1990s and appears on the Praying Mantis 1996 live album "Captured Alive in Tokyo City", but did not become a full member of either.

Burr's signature white drum kit was donated to theHard Rock CafeinLondonin 2005.

Illness

Burr was diagnosed withmultiple sclerosisin the late 1990s, the treatment of which left him deeply in debt.Iron Maidenstaged a series of charity concerts and were involved in the founding of the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund.Burr used a wheelchair due to his condition.

He was also the patron of Clive Aid, a charity formed in 2004. Clive Aid has continued to raise awareness and funds for various cancer and multiple sclerosis programs around the world through the staging of rock events.Burr attended many of these events. His partner Mimi was also diagnosed with MS.

Death

Burr died in his sleep on 12 March 2013 inLondon,four days after his 56th birthday, due to complications related to MS.

In a statement released on the band's website Iron Maiden bass playerSteve Harrisstated "This is terribly sad news. Clive was a very old friend of all of us. He was a wonderful person and an amazing drummer who made a valuable contribution to Maiden in the early days when we were starting out. This is a sad day for everyone in the band and those around him and our thoughts and condolences are with his partner Mimi and family at this time."

Iron Maiden singerBruce Dickinsonstated "Even during the darkest days of his M.S., Clive never lost his sense of humour or irreverence."

A funeral service was held for Burr on 25 March 2013 in London.

Legacy

Burr's style was influential on many heavy metal drummers.Dave Lombardo,known for his work with bands such asSlayer,Grip Inc.,Fantômas,Suicidal TendenciesandTestamentstated that "his style was inspiring and the albums he recorded with Iron Maiden are touchstones of my music education".Charlie BenanteofAnthraxsaid: "the drumming on 'Killers' inspired me to kick it up a notch and I did. "According toDave McClain,former drummer forMachine Head,who considers Burr a huge influence, he "brought punk rock drumming into heavy metal".

Other drummers likePaul Bostaph(Slayer,Exodus,Testament),Stefan Schwarzmann(Helloween,Krokus),Chris Reifert(Death,Autopsy),Steve Asheim(Deicide),Jan Axel Blomberg(Mayhem),Jason Bittner(Shadows Fall)andRichard Christy(Iced Earth,Death,Charred Walls of the Damned)also cited Burr as an influence.

Jeff Waters,guitarist and leader ofAnnihilator,regards his drumming as an inspiration on the drum parts he writes for his band.

Iron Maiden lead singerBruce Dickinsonconsidered him to be "...the best drummer the band ever had. That's not taking anything away from [present drummer]Nicko.Technically, Nicko's probably a far more competent drummer than Clive. It's just that Clive had this incredible feel, and you can't learn that, and I regret that he wasn't given more time to try and sort himself out. "Iron Maiden guitaristAdrian Smithalso praised his drumming ability. "Clive was a great drummer, anIan Paice-type drummer, steady and solid with a nice feel to everything. "

In a tribute article posted byRolling Stonethe day after Burr's passing, writer Greg Prato pointed out that "It was Burr's drumming that proved a major ingredient on such early Maiden classics as 1980's self-titled debut, 1981'sKillersand 1982'sThe Number of the Beast,and such headbanging anthems as 'Running Free,' 'Wrathchild' and 'Run to the Hills'. "

Discography

With Samson

• "Telephone" (single)
• "Mr Rock and Roll" (single)

With Iron Maiden

• Iron Maiden(1980)
• Live!! +one(1980)
• Killers(1981)
• Live at the Rainbow(1981)
• Maiden Japan(1981)
• The Number of the Beast(1982)
• Video Pieces(1983)
• 12 Wasted Years(1987)
• The First Ten Years (From There to Eternity)(1990)
• Best of the Beast(1996)
• Ed Hunter(1999)
• Classic Albums: Iron Maiden – The Number of the Beast(2001)
• BBC Archives(2002)
• Beast over Hammersmith(2002)
• Best of the 'B' Sides(2002)
• Edward the Great(2002)
• The History of Iron Maiden – Part 1: The Early Days(2004)
• The Essential Iron Maiden(2005)
• Somewhere Back in Time(2008)

With Trust

• Trust IV(1983)
• Man's Trap(1984)
• The Best of(1997)

With Stratus

• Throwing Shapes(1984)

With Gogmagog

• I Will Be There(EP; 1985)

With Elixir

• Lethal potion(1990)
• Sovereign Remedy(2004)

With Desperado

• Bloodied But Unbowed(1996, recorded in 1988)

With Praying Mantis

• Captured Alive in Tokyo City(1996)
• Demorabilia(1999) (compilation, contains demos of Clive Burr's Escape)

References

• Wall, Mick (2004).Iron Maiden: run to the hills: the authorised biography(3rd ed.). London: Sanctuary.ISBN1-86074-542-3.OCLC56678317.

External links

• Clive BurratIMDb