Mark Brzezicki
 |
Mark Brzezicki | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Mark Michael Brzezicki |
| Born | 21 June 1957 |
| Origin | Slough, Berkshire, England |
| Genres | Rock |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | drums |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Labels | Phonogram Records, Track-BCR Records |
| Website | Big Country official website |
Mark Brzezicki (born 21 June 1957, Slough, Berkshire, England) is a rock drummer, who is primarily known for his work with Big Country, and was a member of the groups The Cult, Ultravox, and Procol Harum. He has also played with Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, Midge Ure, Fish, The Pretenders and many others. He was also the drummer on Shine, the second and final English language album by Frida of ABBA. He uses both the traditional and matched grips.
Brzezicki is the son of a Polish war veteran and an English mother. With Tony Butler (of Big Country) he was known as 'Rhythm for Hire'. Brzezicki left Big Country in July 1989, but rejoined in 1993. Together with Butler, now on lead vocals, and guitarist Bruce Watson, Big Country started gigging again in 2007, as part of their 25th anniversary tour.
In 2004, Brzezicki helped found a new band, Casbah Club, with Bruce Foxton and Simon Townshend.
His surname is pronounced "bruh-zickee" in English and [bʐɛˈzit͡ski] in Polish. Smash Hits had a running gag in the 1980s wherein they referred to him as "Mark Unpronounceablename of Big Country".[1] On Pete Townshend's All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes and White City: A Novel albums, there are joking references to the spelling of his last name.
His brother Steve is a session bassist with whom he frequently collaborates.
On 10 October 2009 Mark Brzezicki re-joined The Cult onstage at the Royal Albert Hall, London UK. He joined original members Ian Astbury, Billy Duffy and Jamie Stewart, with whom he had recorded the Love album, to perform "The Phoenix" and "She Sells Sanctuary" as a second and final encore to a live performance of their 1985 album Love.
Brzezicki is currently drumming in the reformed Thunderclap Newman line up, best known for their 60's hit, "Something in the Air".
He is also drumming in From The Jam alongside original The Jam member Bruce Foxton.
In 2012, Brzezicki appeared on Vintage TV's twice-weekly show Read All About It with Mike Read, to chat about his hit songs and announce recent news.