Clem Curtis & The Foundations

Last updated
Clem Curtis & The Foundations
Also known asClem Curtis & The Foundations Ltd. The Foundations, The Foundations with Clem Curtis
OriginEngland
GenresSoul, r&b, pop
Labels Riverdale Records, IDM Records, Opium Records, Psycho, RCA Victor, Summit
Spinoff of The Foundations
Past members Clem Curtis, Roy Carter, Derek Lewis, Emmett North Jr., Valentine Pascal, John Lumley-Saville, John Springate


Clem Curtis & The Foundations were an English soul, r&b recording and performing act who were fronted by Clem Curtis. They were formed some years after The Foundations broke up. They were entrants in the 1977 UK Eurovision contest. They also had a chart hit with "On Broadway" in 1980. One of their early members would go on to be a member of The Glitter Band. One would later join the band Hot Chocolate and another would go on to be a member of the funk band Heatwave. At times the group would alternate between the names, Clem Curtis & the Foundations and The Foundations.

Contents

Background

Clem Curtis left The Foundations in 1968 and was replaced by Colin Young. [1] He then embarked on a solo career. He later returned to the UK and formed his version of The Foundations. [2]

An early version of the group included John Springate who played with Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon. [3] [4] His brother Bill Springate was also a member. [5] [6] [7]

Along with Clem Curtis, the later mid seventies line up consisted of David Christopher George, Valentine Pascal, John Lumley-Saville, and Derek Lewis. [8] Derek was actually Clem Curtis' brother. [9]

Later musicians include guitarist Emmet North Jr. who was a member in the 1980s. He was formerly with Barry White's group, The Love Unlimited Orchestra, [10] Bassist Nixon Rosembert was a member too. [11]

Career

1970s to 1980s

Along with Anita Harris, Ted Rogers and Ryan and Ronnie, The Karliffs, Max Boyce, Clem Curtis and The Foundations were appearing at Gwyn Hall in Neath in December, 1972. [12]

John Springate and his brother had just come back from a long period having worked in Canada and they joined Clem Curtis and the Foundations. He also contributed vocals. But with Clem Curtis singing "Baby..." and Springate singing "Da da da da", he felt that it wasn't a great career move. So he decided to leave. He answered ads in Melody Maker . One of the ads he followed up would lead to The Glitter Band. [13] So round 1973,[ citation needed ] he had joined The Glitter Band, replacing bassist Ray Moxley. [14]

An article about Brian Johnston of the White Plains on the White Plains Chronicles website has information provided by James Payne that gives a partial line-up of a 1973 version of Clem Curtis' Foundations. Listed were Clem Curtis on vocals, Eric Allandale on trombone, Brian Johnston on keyboards and Jim Payne on drums. [15] Eric, like Clem Curtis was an original Foundations member. [16]

On February 16, 1974, Clem Curtis & The Foundations played at the California Ballroom. [17]

The group went to Australia for a month-long tour in 1975. The members at the time were Clem Curtis, David Christopher George, Valentine Pascal, Roy Carter, Derek Lewis and John Lumley Saville. [18] The tour was marred by what was said to be a trumped up assault charge. Curtis was taken off of a jet in handcuffs by New South Wales Police officers and was locked in a police cell. [19]

The Foundations with Clem Curtis along with Junior Walker & the All Stars, KC & the Sunshine Band and Mac & Katie Kissoon were the artists listed in the July 19, 1975 issue of Sounds to appear at the soul festival held at Wrexham Football Club's grounds on August 3. [20]

It appears that some time in 1975, Derek Lewis had joined Hot Chocolate. [21] He would be pictured with the band in a photo in Music Week in 1977. [22]

The group recorded "Make a Wish" / "Amanda" which was released on Riverdale RR 100 in 1976. "Amanda" was composed by Valentine Pascal, Roy Carter and Georges Delanbanque. [23] [24] It was reviewed in the May 29, 1976 issue of Record Mirror . The reviewer called it "Pop soul on a weak song that sugars the ears of the listener". [25] [26]

By December 18, 1976, the group's single, "Sweet Happiness" backed with "Lady Luck" had been released on Riverdale RR 105. [27] [28] The record was reviewed in the January 8, 1977 issue of Record Mirror by Barry Cain. It wasn't complementary and Cain gave it just one star, calling the vocals strained and the song sloppy. [29]

Eurovision entry with "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love"

The twelve groups whose songs were to be performed at the New London Theatre on March 9 for Britain's Eurovision entry were listed in the January 15, 1977 issue of Record World. The Foundations were one. [30] The March 10, 1977 issue of The Stage reported that Clem Curtis & the Foundations had been reunited with Foundations original producer John Macleod who had co-written a song with Dave Myers for the Song for Europe contest. [31]

The group now billing themselves as The Foundations were now competing in the Eurovision 1977 song contest with "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love", a Dave Meyers and John Macleod composition. [32] [33] The line-up then was, Leroy Carter, John Savile, Valentine Pascal, Clem Curtis and Georges Delanbanque. [34] They were favorites to win, but due to a strike by electricians, they were not televised. [35] [36] They ended up coming third with "What Do You Say To Love" by Mary Mason in second place and "Rock Bottom" by Lynsey de Paul as the winner. [37] [38] A small ad appeared on the bottom of page 55 of the 26 March issue of Music Week. It said, "If you missed Eurovision on TV watch CRACKERJACK this Friday FOUNDATIONS "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love". [39] The single was reviewed in the March 26 issue of Record Mirror by Rosalind Russell. She gave it two stars said it was not a lot different from "Build Me Up Buttercup". [40] Also that month, "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love" was getting air-play on Radio Tees and David Hoare had it down as a hit. [41]

Further activities

Roy Carter left the band. And in 1977, he had joined Heatwave. [42] He replaced Heatwave member Jesse White who was murdered. [43]

The group covered the Sonny Casella composition, "Closer to Loving You" which was previously recorded by Dooley Silverspoon. [44] [45] [46] Theirs was released on Psycho P P2603. It was reviewed by Rosalind Russell in the May 13, 1978 issue of Record Mirror. She referred to the disco record as mediocre. [47] The B side of the single was the Bill Connor and Simon Cohen composition, "Change My Life". [48] [49] Over the years the B side "Change My Life" has gained popularity among Northern soul fans. [50] [51] [52] It appears on the Fab-U-Lus Northern Soul 10" LP album compilation. [53]

Clem Curtis & The Foundations along with Ben E. King were some of the artists that were appearing at a nostalgic soul event held at Lewisham Concert Hall on September 28, 1980. [54]

As Clem Curtis & The Foundations, they recorded a version of "On Broadway" that was released on the IDM label in 1984. It charted in the UK, making its debut on the ILA Airplay Top 10 on the week of 1 September at no. 3. It was still in the chart at no. 5 on week of September 29. [55] [56]

1990s to 2000s

Clem Curtis & The Foundations kept performing well into the 2010s with Curtis now in his seventies. At one performance where he was on a bill with Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, he announced that he was 74 years old and had 17 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. At that time the band had taken on a female saxophone player. [57]

Along with Lulu, Earth Wind & Fire, The Bay City Rollers, Imagination, Clem Curtis & the Foundations were booked to appear at the Flashback Festival which was held from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st August 2016 at Thoresbury Estate, Newark. [58]

The group still had a booking to fill as a headline act at the Norfolk Motorhome Show, Norwich for 21-23rd July 2017. [59]

Death

Clem Curtis died in March, 2017 from cancer at age 76. [60]

Discography

Singles
ActReleaseCatalogueYearNotes
Clem Curtis & The Foundations Ltd"Make a Wish" / "Amanda" Riverdale RR 1001976
Clem Curtis And The Foundations"Sweet Happiness" / "Lady Luck"Riverdale RR 1051976
The Foundations"Where Were You When I Needed Your Love" / "Love Me Nice and Easy"Summit SU 1001977
The Foundations"Closer To Loving You" / "Change My Life" Psycho P26032008
Clem Curtis And The Foundations"Broadway" / "Broadway" (instrumental)IDM IDM 691984
Clem Curtis And The Foundations"Baby Now That I've Found You" / "Baby Now That I've Found You" (Instrumental)Opium OPIN 0011987Released on RCA Victor 104801
in Australia in 1988


Clem Curtis and The Foundations line ups

Early 1970s line-up
1975 line up
1977 line-up
Other members

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Foundations</span> UK soul band

The Foundations were a British soul band who were primarily active between 1967 and 1970. The group's background was: West Indian, White British and Sri Lankan. Their 1967 debut single "Baby Now That I've Found You" reached number one in the UK and Canada, and number eleven in the US. Their 1968 single "Build Me Up Buttercup" reached number two in the UK and number three on the US Billboard Hot 100. The group was the first multi-racial group to have a number one hit in the UK in the 1960s.

Lee Garrett is an American rhythm and blues singer-songwriter, most famous for co-writing the classic song "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours". He recorded several solo singles during the 1960s, one of which was "I Can't Break the Habit". He had a hit in 1976 with "You're My Everything". Artists who have covered his compositions include Taka Boom, Carl Graves, Peter Frampton, Denny McCaffrey, Eddie Money, Jackie Moore, Marlena Shaw, The Spinners, Frankie Valli and many more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acid Jazz Records</span> British record label

Acid Jazz Records is a record label based in East London formed by Gilles Peterson and Eddie Piller in 1987. The label is the namesake of the acid-jazz subgenre of jazz music for which it is most famously known for producing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clem Curtis</span> Musical artist

Clem Curtis was a Trinidadian British singer, who was the original lead vocalist of sixties soul group The Foundations.

The Ramong Sound was a British R&B, soul and ska band, active from 1965 to 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Warner (musician)</span> English musician

Alan Warner is an English musician who has been active from around the mid 1960s. He was a member of groups such as The Ramong Sound, The Foundations, Pluto, and The Polecats.

The Glitter Band are a glam rock band from England, who initially worked as Gary Glitter's backing band under that name from 1973, when they then began releasing records of their own. They were unofficially known as the Glittermen on the first four hit singles by Gary Glitter from 1972 to 1973.

Paul Michael Curtis is an English singer, songwriter, record producer from London, who holds the record for the highest number of songs to make the finals of the A Song for Europe contest, the BBC's annual competition to choose the UK's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, competing with 22 separate songs from 1975 to 1992.

Mary Mason is a British singer. She was a A Song for Europe contestant who entered the competition with "What Do You Say to Love?". She scored a minor hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1977 with a medley of Chip Taylor's "Angel of the Morning" / "Any Way That You Want Me".

Clive Chaman is a UK-based bass guitarist and session musician, born in Trinidad and Tobago.

Colin Young is a singer known for being a member of the British soul band the Foundations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Elliott (saxophonist)</span> Musical artist

Mike Elliott is a Jamaican-born British saxophonist. He played on ska recordings in the early 1960s and on pop and soul music hits in the late 1960s. He is best known as a co-founding member of the British band The Foundations, and played on their hit singles "Baby, Now That I've Found You" and "Build Me Up Buttercup".

"Back on My Feet Again" is the second single released by the Foundations. It was the follow-up to their hit single "Baby, Now That I've Found You". It was written by Tony Macaulay and John MacLeod and produced by Tony Macaulay. It charted at number 18 in the UK and also in Ireland. It reached No. 59 in the U.S. and number 29 in Canada.

John Macleod is a Canadian-born English songwriter and musician. he co-wrote the hits "Baby, Now That I've Found You" for The Foundations, "Let the Heartaches Begin for Long John Baldry, "Heaven Knows I'm Missing Him Now" and many more.

Stoney Ground was a single for UK soul group The Foundations. It made it on to the US Billboard chart in 1972. It also represented the group's last charting first release of a single.

George Kerr is a musician and record producer who has worked with a multitude of recording artists during the 1960s and 1970s.

Roy Carter is an English musician, songwriter and music producer. He has written or co-written hits for Instant Funk, Central Line, Animal Nightlife, David Grant, and Jermaine Stewart. He has also been a member of groups, Clem Curtis & The Foundations, Heatwave, Central Line and Danny D. & Collusion. In later years he ran a television music production company.

John Springate is an English singer, musician, songwriter and music producer. The hits he has composed include "Don't Make Promises " by the G. Band, "Don't Play that Song Again" for Nicki French which was also a Eurovision Song Contest 2000 song and "Nothing But Promises" for Kelly. He produced the single "A Little Boogie Woogie in the Back of My Mind" and the Let's Boogie album for Shakin' Stevens. He also played backup for Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon and was a member of Clem Curtis & The Foundations and The Glitter Band.

David Myers is an English songwriter who has written songs for artists such as Dalston Diamonds, The Foundations, Linda Kelly, Billy Ocean, Rainbow, Sonny Reeder, Clodagh Rodgers, and Johnny Tudor. His greatest hit success was with "Jack in the Box".

Sonny Casella is a musician, composer and music producer. He managed the group, The Magic Mushrooms as well as produced their recordings. He composed and produced the hits "(Nobody Loves Me) Like You Do" for Jenny Burton and "Let Me Be the No. 1 " for Dooley Silverspoon.

References

  1. ↑ Melody Maker, October 5, 1968 - JOEY REPLACES CURTIS
  2. ↑ Inlay notes to Baby Now That I've Found You by Roger Dopson CD, Sequel Records NEECD 300
  3. ↑ Pete Phipps - The Glitter Band, How It Started:
  4. ↑ A Breath of Fresh Air - Transcript: Transcript Glam Rock Pioneer: John Springate And The Unique Sound Of The Glitter Band, 3:23
  5. ↑ Mix Cloud - ROCKIN COUNTRY - WALTER SCOTT JAMES - FEAT - BILL SPRINGATE
  6. ↑ Streetsville Legion - Bill Springate former member of The Foundations and now a One Man Band
  7. ↑ Bandmix - Bill Springate, About
  8. ↑ Getty Images - English Pop Group Foundations arrived in Sydney to start a month long tour of Australia
  9. ↑ The Sydney Morning Herald, 31 March 2017 - Clem Curtis, original singer with the Foundations
  10. ↑ American Pride Magazine, 12 July 2015 - Music Artist Emmett North Finds a Groove Between California and London By Jacqueline Jax– Host A.V.A Live Radio
  11. ↑ New Wolsey Theatre - REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL, Cast & Creatives
  12. ↑ The Stage, Thursday 14 December 1972 - SEASONAL SNIPPETS FROM WALES--DEREK WAYLAND
  13. ↑ Sandy Kaye Presents - A Breath of Fresh Air channel, Jun 22, 2023 - A conversation with glam rock pioneer - The Glitter Band's John Springate, 0:35
  14. ↑ Toppermost, 6 Nov 2017 - The Glitterband by Joyce Gibson
  15. ↑ White Plains Chronicles, 1 May 2018 - Brian Johnston The Foundations (1973)
  16. ↑ Disc and Music Echo, November 4, 1977 - Page 11 Eight faces that laid the FOUNDATIONS of a hit!
  17. ↑ California Ballroom - 1974
  18. ↑ Getty Images - English Pop Group Foundations arrived in Sydney to start a month long tour of Australia
  19. ↑ The Sydney Moring Herald, March 31, 2017 - Clem Curtis, original singer with the Foundations
  20. ↑ Sounds, July 9, 1975 - Page 3 News Desk Mike Flood Page, Junior Walker for Wrexham
  21. ↑ Music Meter - Hot Chocolate, Leden
  22. ↑ Music Week, July 23, 1977 - Page 6 CELEBRATING THE number one success recently of Hot Chocolate's So You Win Again, EMI's licensed label division held a party for the band
  23. ↑ Popsike - DISCOGRAPHY
  24. ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third Series
    Volume 30, Part 5, Number 2, Section 2, Music
    Current and Renewal Register, July-December 1976 ISSN 0041-7866 - Page 2326 EU732037 Amanda.
  25. ↑ Popsike - DISCOGRAPHY
  26. ↑ Record Mirror, May 29, 1976 - Page 21 Singles THE FOUNDATIONS: Make A Wish' (Riverdale RR 100)
  27. ↑ Roots Vinyl Guide - ♫ Northern Soul - CLEM CURTIS & FOUNDATIONS - SWEET HAPPINESS - Hear ♫, Description
  28. ↑ New Musical Express, December 18th, 1976 - Page 39 LINDA LEWIS "WINTER WONDERLAND" Arista 82 CLEM CURTIS & THE FOUNDATIONS "SWEET HAPPINESS" Riverdale RR 105
  29. ↑ Record Mirror, January 8, 1977 - Page 9 Singles reviewed by BARRY CAIN
  30. ↑ Record World, January 15, 1977 - Page 42 RECORD WORLD INTERNATIONAL, LONDON
  31. ↑ The Stage, Thursday 10 March 1977 - Page 10 CLEM CURTIS AND THE FOUNDATIONS
  32. ↑ Digital Spy, 28 March 2017 - 'Baby Now That I've Found You' singer Clem Curtis of The Foundations dies at 76 By Justin Harp
  33. ↑ Eurovisionworld - A Song for Europe 1977: The Foundations - "Where were you when I needed your love"
  34. ↑ Wayback Machine - SONGSFOREUROPE.COM - A Song For Europe 1976/1977, A Song For Europe 1977, Date: Wednesday 9th March, 1977 (Scheduled at 19:30), Title Where Were You When I Needed Your Love
  35. ↑ Inlay notes to Baby Now That I've Found You by Roger Dopson CD, Sequel Records NEECD 300
  36. ↑ The Sydney Morning Herald, 31 March 2017 - Clem Curtis, original singer with the Foundations
  37. ↑ Eurovision World - A Song for Europe 1977: The Foundations - "Where were you when I needed your love"
  38. ↑ Retro 77 - SECOND CHANCE RETRO 1977 - GUEST JURY HITS 1977, RETRO 77 OPTIONS (ESC National Finals) :
  39. ↑ Music Week, 26 March 1977 - Page 55 If you missed Eurovision on TV watch CRACKERJACK this Friday FOUNDATIONS "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love"
  40. ↑ Record Mirror, March 26, 1977 - Page 12 Singles reviewed by ROSALIND RUSSELL, FOUNDATIONS: 'Where Were You When I Needed Your Love' (Summit SU 100)
  41. ↑ Music Week, 26 March 1977 - Page 32 needletime Radio Tees, HIT PICKS
  42. ↑ Just Like a Bozz, July 30, 2013 - Interview with Roy Carter (Heatwave)
  43. ↑ Black History Month, Saturday 4 December 2021 - Heatwave
  44. ↑ Record Mirror, May 13, 1978 - Page 10 Singles Reviewed by ROSALIND RUSSELL, THE FOUNDATIONS: 'Closer To Loving You' (Psycho P 2603)
  45. ↑ James Hamilton's Disco Page, September 10, 1977 - DOOLEY SILVERSPOON: ‘Closer To Loving You’ (Seville SEV 1025/12)
  46. ↑ Music Week, August 20, 1977 - Page 32 RELEASES, LISTINGS, C
  47. ↑ Record Mirror, May 13, 1978 - Page 10 Singles Reviewed by ROSALIND RUSSELL, THE FOUNDATIONS: 'Closer To Loving You' (Psycho P 2603)
  48. ↑ Gripsweat - THE FOUNDATIONS Closer To Loving You 1978 UK demo/DJ copy, PSYCHO P2603 N/MINT
  49. ↑ Celebri - The Foundations, Closer To Loving You / Change My Life
  50. ↑ Popsike - NORTHERN SOUL-THE FOUNDATIONS- CHANGE MY-
  51. ↑ Popsike - Rare UK Northern Soul/Modern-The Foundations-Hear it
  52. ↑ Popsike - THE FOUNDATIONS"CHANGE MY LIFE"RARE SOUL ORIG. PSYCHO
  53. ↑ Discogs - Various – Fab-U-Lus Northern Soul
  54. ↑ Music Week, September 27, 1980 - Page 13 TALENT, News in brief ...
  55. ↑ Music Week, 1 September 1984 - Page 40 ILA AIRPLAY GUIDE, (Independent Airplay Action in UK) TOP 12
  56. ↑ Music Week, 29 September 1984 - ILA AIRPLAY GUIDE, (Independent Airplay Action in UK) TOP 10 . . .
  57. ↑ Peter Viney's Blog, 6 Apr 2014 - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, The Foundations
  58. ↑ TheFlashbackFestival.com - The 2016 Flashback Festival A Nostalgic Look Back, Friday: Lulu, Earth Wind & Fire, Bay City Rollers, Imagination, and Clem Curtis & the Foundations.
  59. ↑ Out & About, 12 Dec 2016 - Booking for all 2017 shows now live!
  60. ↑ The Guardian, Tuesday 28 March, 2017 - Foundations lead singer Clem Curtis dies aged 76
  61. ↑ Getty Images - English Pop Group Foundations arrived in Sydney to start a month long tour of Australia
  62. ↑ Wayback Machine - SONGSFOREUROPE.COM - A Song For Europe 1976/1977, A Song For Europe 1977, Date: Wednesday 9th March, 1977 (Scheduled at 19:30), Title Where Were You When I Needed Your Love
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.