12 Facts About Karl Burns

Karl Burns was born on 19 March 1958 and is a British musician best known as the drummer for The Fall, featuring in many incarnations of the band between 1977 and 1998.

Karl Burns eventually left for good, alongside longtime bassist Steve Hanley, following an on-stage altercation with group leader Mark E Smith in New York in April 1998.

Karl Burns was the Fall's first permanent drummer, joining them in time for their second gig.

Karl Burns is heard on the group's first two singles and their first studio album Live at the Witch Trials.

Karl Burns left in early 1979, joining the Teardrops, with Steve Garvey of Buzzcocks, with whom he formed a brief and parallel project, Bok Bok, and remained in the band until 1981, when they broke up.

Karl Burns rejoined the Fall in 1981, initially as a temporary replacement for Paul Hanley who was refused a visa for a US tour due to being too young.

Karl Burns made an unexpected return to the Fall in 1993 to play alongside Wolstencroft in a second two-drummer line-up until the latter left in 1997.

Karl Burns contributed guitar, keyboards and occasional vocals during this period.

Many of Karl Burns's former Fall bandmates reported that he was most likely to retaliate against Smith, physically if Karl Burns deemed it necessary.

Several ex-members feared that Karl Burns was dead, although a rumour circulated that he lived in "the hills" in Rossendale.

Karl Burns had already spoken to his former bandmate, Steve Hanley, by telephone, and told him that he was married and working.

Karl Burns has recently appeared with House of All, a band of former members of The Fall, playing drums.