Clem Curtis facts for kids

Clem Curtis was a talented singer from Trinidad who became famous in England. He was the main singer for a popular 1960s soul band called The Foundations. Born Curtis Clements on November 28, 1940, he passed away on March 27, 2017. People sometimes called him "The Godfather of English Soul" because of his amazing voice and influence.

Clem Curtis's Early Life and Music Journey

Clem was born in Trinidad. When he was 15, he moved to England. Before becoming a singer, he worked as an interior decorator, making homes look nice. He was also a professional boxer and won many of his fights! His mom was a singer in Trinidad, which helped him love music too.

Joining The Foundations

Between 1966 and 1967, Clem joined a band called The Ramong Sound. He heard from his uncle that the band's lead singer, Raymond Morrison, needed backing singers. Clem didn't have much singing experience at first, only singing with his uncle at home.

After the band's original lead singer left, they tried out Arthur Brown for a short time. The band changed its name a few times before becoming The Foundations. Arthur Brown said he enjoyed singing with Clem. In January 1967, The Foundations officially started with Clem as their lead singer.

Big Hits with The Foundations

The Foundations quickly became famous around the world. They had huge hit songs like "Baby Now That I've Found You" and "Build Me Up Buttercup". Clem Curtis was the lead voice on "Baby Now That I've Found You", "Back on My Feet Again", and "Any Old Time (You're Lonely and Sad)".

After having two hit singles and releasing two albums, some problems started within the band and with their songwriter Tony Macaulay. Clem felt that some band members weren't working as hard after their success. Because of this, Clem and another member, Mike Elliott, left The Foundations in 1968. Clem even helped the band find a replacement singer, Colin Young, before he left to start a solo career in the United States. His friend, the famous entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr., encouraged him to do this.

In 1969, Clem signed with Cowsills Productions and released his first solo song, "Marie Take A Chance".

Clem Curtis's Later Career

After performing in clubs and spending time with artists like Wilson Pickett in the U.S., Clem decided to return to England in the early 1970s because he wasn't getting enough work. Back in England, he worked with other musicians like Donnie Elbert and Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon. Later, he even formed a new version of The Foundations.

Performing and Recording

For many years, Clem Curtis led different versions of The Foundations. He also performed on his own as a solo artist. He recorded and released many records with different record labels, including EMI, Pye Records, and Riverdale.

In 1977, Clem Curtis and The Foundations almost made it to the Eurovision Song Contest final with their song "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love". They came in third place and were a favorite to win, but an electricians' strike affected their chances.

The Traveling Wrinklies and Other Appearances

In the late 1980s, Clem joined a group called "The Corporation", also known as "the Traveling Wrinklies". This group was a fun parody of the popular band Traveling Wilburys. The Traveling Wrinklies included Clem Curtis, Mike Pender, Brian Poole, Tony Crane, and Reg Presley. They released a song called "Ain't Nothing But A House Party" in 1988.

Around the same time, Clem teamed up with Alan Warner, the original guitarist from The Foundations, to re-record their old hits.

Clem also appeared on stage as the Lion in the play The Wiz at the Lyric Hammersmith theatre. He also gave a great gospel performance in Amen Corner at The Lyric in Shaftesbury Avenue. You might have also seen him on TV chat shows, the British reality show Airport, and even in a small role on the ITV series The Bill.

In 2004, Clem toured the UK with a soul music show alongside Jimmy James & The Vagabonds. They even sang "Love Train" together on stage.

Clem Curtis continued to record and perform almost until the end of his life. He often performed at "soul explosion" nights with singers like Earnestine Pearce and Jimmy James at resorts like Butlins and Warner Leisure Hotels in the United Kingdom. He also performed on cruise ships.

Clem Curtis passed away on March 27, 2017, at the age of 76, after a short battle with cancer.