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Mark Brzezicki

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Mark Brzezicki
Brzezicki in 2012
Brzezicki in 2012
Background information
Birth nameMark Michael Brzezicki
Born (1957-06-21) 21 June 1957 (age 67)
OriginSlough, Buckinghamshire, England
Genres
OccupationMusician
InstrumentDrums
Years active1980–present
LabelsPhonogram, Track-BCR
WebsiteBig Country official website

Mark Michael Brzezicki (English: /brəˈzɪki/ brə-ZIK-ee, Polish: [bʐɛˈʑitskʲi]; born 21 June 1957) is an English musician, best known as the former drummer of the Scottish rock band Big Country.[1] He has also played with Procol Harum, Casbah Club, The Cult, and From the Jam.

Biography

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Brzezicki (left) and Stuart Adamson in 1991

Brzezicki first played on two singles with the band On the Air featuring bass player Tony Butler and Simon Townshend in 1980. Brzezicki quickly developed to become a session drummer and he played on the track "A Little Is Enough" on Pete Townshend's Empty Glass album from 1980. Brzezicki and Butler, who had formed a session based company 'Rhythm for Hire' shortly joined Big Country and they released their debut album The Crossing in 1983.[2] His session work continued and Brzezicki was also the sole drummer on Shine, the second (and final, to date) English-language studio album by Swedish singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad of ABBA, released in 1984.

Smash Hits magazine had a running gag in the 1980s wherein they referred to the drummer as "Mark Unpronounceablename of Big Country".[3] On Pete Townshend's All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes (1982) and White City: A Novel (1985) albums, there are joking references to the spelling of Brzezicki's last name.

As a session drummer he has also played on recordings with Virginia Astley, The Cult, Midge Ure, Ultravox, Nils Lofgren, Nik Kershaw, Roger Daltrey, Joan Armatrading, Fish, Procol Harum, Howard Jones, Steve Harley, Rick Astley, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Tiffany, From the Jam and Thunderclap Newman. He was part of the Prince’s Trust house band for seven years, and played on the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert in 1988.[4]

In 2004, Brzezicki helped form a new band, Casbah Club, with Bruce Foxton and Simon Townshend.

On 10 October 2009, Brzezicki joined the Cult onstage at the Royal Albert Hall in London. He joined original members Ian Astbury, Billy Duffy and Jamie Stewart, with whom he had recorded their Love (1985) album, to perform "Phoenix" and "She Sells Sanctuary" as a second and final encore to a live performance of Love. His brother Steve Brzezicki is a session bassist with whom he frequently collaborates, and he uses both the traditional and matched grips.[5][6][7][8]

On 9 October 2024, he announced on Facebook that he was leaving Big Country after more than 40 years. He stated that he was unhappy with the band's current direction, line-up changes and internal divisions.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Dolbear, Mike (21 April 2017). "Mark Brzezicki". Mikedolbear.com.
  2. ^ "JoyZine - Interview with Mark Brzezicki of Big Country by Joy Williams". Artistwd.com.
  3. ^ "Smash Hits - the Magazine - Edited Entry". BBC. 30 January 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  4. ^ "Mark Brzezicki Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
  5. ^ "The Cult - Royal Albert Hall, Oct 10/2009". Cultcentral.com. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  6. ^ Burgess, Mick (11 September 2019). "MARK BRZEZICKI (BIG COUNTRY/THE CULT): "We Were Like A Mini RUSH" [Print Interviews ]". Metalexpressradio.com.
  7. ^ "THE CULT - Former Session Drummer MARK BRZEZICKI Looks Back On Recording The Love Album - "It Was Fantastic; I Felt Like I Was A Band Member"". Bravewords.com.
  8. ^ "Mark Brzezicki - A Powerful And Distinctive Drummer". Zerotodrum.com. 31 January 2022.
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