The Foundations

This article is about the UK soul band. For other uses, see Foundation (disambiguation).

The Foundations
Origin	London, England
Genres	Soul, pop, rock
Years active	1966–1970
Labels	Pye, Castle, Uni, Astor, Repertoire
Spinoffs	Development Clem Curtis & The Foundations
Spinoff of	The Ramong Sound
Past members	Original line-up Eric Allandale Pat Burke Clem Curtis Mike Elliott Tony Gomez Tim Harris Peter MacBeth Alan Warner

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. ^[1]

The Foundations were one of the few British acts to imitate successfully what became known as the Motown Sound. The Foundations signed to Pye, at the time one of only four big UK record companies (the others being EMI, which included the HMV, Columbia and Parlophone labels, Decca, and Philips, which also owned Fontana). ^[2]

Background

The Foundations attracted much interest because of the size and structure of the group. Not only was there a diverse ethnic mix in the group, there was also diversity in ages and musical backgrounds. The oldest member of the group, Mike Elliott, was 38 years old. The youngest was Tim Harris, who, at 18, was barely out of school. The West Indian horn section consisted of Jamaican-born Mike Elliott and Pat Burke, both saxophonists and Dominican-born Eric Allandale on trombone. They were all highly experienced musicians who came from professional jazz and rock-and-roll backgrounds. ^[3]

• Eric Allandale had led his own band the New Orleans Knights in the early 1960s, ^[4] releasing two singles, including "Enjoy Yourself (It's Later than You Think)". ^[5] He also played with Edmundo Ros and was a former member of the Terry Lightfoot ^[6] and Alex Welsh bands. ^[7] He was also a member of Romeo Z who recorded the title song for the 1966 film, Kaleidoscope , ^[8] and an Irving Martin produced single, single "Come Back, Baby Come Back", released on CBS in 1967. ^{[9] [10] [11]}
• Pat Burke had been in groups since arriving in the UK at age 15, ^[12] and had studied music at the London Music Conservatorium. ^[13] A man of few words according to Bob Farmer of Disc and Music Echo, who also described him as "a dormant Desmond Dekker", Burke's first love was jazz. He played with jazz groups, but as the jobs did not pay much he joined The Foundations. ^[14]
• Clem Curtis who was born in Trinidad had been an interior decorator and professional boxer. ^{[15] [16]} He had also a background in wrestling and weight-lifting. ^{[17] [12] [18]}
• Mike Elliott came to the group after he had heard from one of the members that they were looking for a tenor saxophonist. ^[12] He had played in various jazz and rock and roll bands, as well as the ensembles of Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott, ^[3] the Cabin Boys (led by Tommy Steele's brother, Colin Hicks), and others. ^[1] He had recorded under his own name for Sonny Roberts' Planetone label, which issued early ska and reggae records, and he was a member of Rico's Combo, the label's house band led by Rico Rodriguez. ^{[19] [20] [21]}
• Tony Gomez, the keyboard player, was a former clerk who had worked in County Hall in the architect's department. ^{[22] [23]}
• Tim Harris, who was born in St. John's Wood, London, had two brothers, including his twin, Nick. ^[24] According to an article, "Digging the Foundations", by Bob Farmer in the 5 July 1969 issue of Disc and Music Echo, Harris had joined the merchant navy as a deckhand on a timber ship and had travelled to various parts of the world, including Siberia. He came back to the UK and became involved with groups. ^[25]
• Bassist Peter Macbeth was a former teacher who had taught English and draughtsmanship in Singapore ^[26] and worked for a paperback publisher. ^[27]
• Guitarist Alan Warner had been in bands the Skeletones and the Line-up, a popular Dublin-based group. Warner turned down an offer to join the Black Eagles, which included Phil Lynott and Brian Downey. ^{[28] [29]}

Origin

The origins of the Foundations go back to an R&B and ska outfit called the Ramong Sound, ^{[15] [30] [28]} aka Ramongs. The band had two lead singers, Raymond Morrison (aka Ramong Morrison ^[28] ) and Clem Curtis. ^[31] Curtis had come to the group by way of his guitar-playing uncle, who was impressed by his nephew's voice and told him that there was a band called the Ramongs looking for singers. Curtis auditioned and joined the band, ^[32] and rose from being a backing singer to sharing the lead with Raymond Morrison. ^[33]

At some stage Morrison was imprisoned for six months. In his absence, a friend of the band called Joan who ran a record store, suggested future psychedelic shock rocker Arthur Brown as a replacement. ^{[34] [35]} Brown was straight and clean living, and did not drink, smoke or take drugs. ^[36] Decades later, Brown recalled when he walked into the Westbourne Grove bar for an audition, he saw Curtis holding a spear to the throat of the drummer, bent backwards over the bar. ^[37] Brown and Curtis each performed solo numbers as well as duets ^[38] and one of the band members recalled later that they had experiment with "underground-type music" when Brown was with them. ^[39]

The group had unsuccessfully tried to recruit Rod Stewart as a singer. They had a jam session with him, but he turned down their offer as he preferred other musical styles. ^[28] Alan Warner recalled decades later that Stewart's then girlfriend, Dee Harrington, had ended up being secretary for the Foundations' management. ^{[40] [41]}

The Foundations are said to have formed in Bayswater, London, in January 1967. ^{[42] [43]} They practised and played in a basement coffee bar club called the Butterfly Club, which they also ran. ^{[44] [42]} The premises were at one time `used as a gambling den. While managing the club themselves, they played music nightly and handled the cooking and cleaning. They would get to bed around 6am or 7am, sleep until 4pm, and open again at 8pm. Sometimes they barely made enough money to pay the rent, occasionally living off leftovers and a couple of pounds of rice. ^{[45] [28]} Gomez recalled in 1969 that he, MacBeth, Allandale and Harris were living on £2 per week and could not afford a packet of razor blades. His mother would come and tell him off for leaving his job in the County Hall architect's department. ^[22] The situation of saxophonist Mike Elliott was also not ideal. He had been staying in a top floor flat, in a condemned house, where the roof had been removed. Elliott was still paying rent. Clem Curtis recalled going to see him one morning, knocking on his door which got Elliott out of bed. He asked him, "Hey, Mike, where's your roof gone?", to which Elliott replied, "I don't know, man, they just came and knocked it off." ^[46]

Career

1967

The 4 February 1967 issue of Melody Maker shows a booking for the Ramong Sound (mis-spelt as Ramog Sound) to play at the All-Star Club on Sunday, 5 February. ^[47]

Following the band being forced out of their club by a protection racket gang who tied up Clem Curtis and held a knife to his throat, ^[31] they moved next door to the new premises, a run-down place that was once a mini-cab office. According to Alan Warner in his interview with It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine, dated 22 July 2011, this is where they were discovered. ^[28] The biography on AllMusic stated that Barry Class was the first to discover them. ^[1] Other sources claim they were discovered by Ron Fairway, a man with many music connections and who managed the group, the Ways and Means. ^{[48] [49]} Fairway had his own agency, Ron Fairway Enterprises which was located at 6 Artesian Road, London W.2. ^[50] Fairway already had some success with his group, the Ways and Means. They already had record out, "Sea of Faces" on Pye. ^[51] It got to no.39 on the Radio City City Sixty chart for the Sunday 1 - Sunday 8 January 1967 period, ^[52] and on the 21st, no. 41 on the Radio Caroline chart. ^[53] Interestingly the Ways and Means would later end up being involved with a label that Barry Class created. ^[54]

In August 2023, Alan Warner was interviewed by Jack Hodgins of the Australian radio station, 2NUR FM. The interview appears to suggest that Raymond Morrison was still in the group when Ron Fairway approached them.

Ron Fairway told the group that he was going to get them a gig at Herne Bay. However, this job never materialized. The group sourced their own gigs which included a Caribbean club along Edgware Road and a few other clubs. ^[55]

The Foundations were booked to appear at Eel Pie Island on Sunday 14 May 1967. ^[56] Appearing as a support act, for their efforts they were paid a sum of £10. ^[57]

Arthur Brown appears to have left the group between the first and second quarter of 1967. ^[58] According to a 1993 interview of Brown with Allan Vorda, Arthur Brown could have signed with the Foundations and sung material from the writers of "Baby, Now That I've Found You" but he did not want to be with the group for two years. ^[59]

The day Tony Macaulay came to hear the Foundations play, he was suffering from what he described as "the worst hangover of his life". The band was playing so loud he could not judge how good they were, but he decided to give them a chance. ^[3] His comments are recorded in the book, 1000 UK No. 1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, that he woke up that morning with a stinking headache, and when he got to the studio and heard the Foundations, he thought they were terrible. He decided his hangover was to blame, and so he gave them the benefit of the doubt. ^[60]

At first, they found progress quite slow, and one of their sax players, Pat Burke, had to drop out of the band and take another job while they went through a rough patch. He later rejoined them in 1967. ^{[61] [62]}

They were noticed by Brian Epstein, who added them to the roster of his NEMS Agency, but the contract became void after he died on August 27, 1967. ^{[63] [64]}

"Baby, Now that I've Found You"

According to Roy Delo of Ron Fairway's group, the Ways and Means, they were offered the chance to record "Baby Now That I've Found You", but they turned it down. So it was given to the Foundations, and they recorded it with Clem Curtis on lead vocals. ^[54]

It was released on 25 August 1967. Reviewed in the Quick Spins section of Disc and Music Echo, the reviewer Benny Valentine liked it but remarked that it needed a bit more drive on the production and singing. It was a sleeper ^{[58] [65]} And for ten weeks it did not do anything in the charts. ^[66] Unlike the Ways and Means' single, "Sea of Faces" which was played on the pirate radio stations, charting on both Radio City and Radio Caroline, "Baby, Now that I've Found You" was not played on them. ^{[52] [53]} Luckily, the BBC's newly founded BBC Radio 1 was looking to avoid any records being played by the pirate radio stations and looked back at some recent releases that the pirate stations had missed. "Baby, Now That I've Found You" was one of them. The single then took off. ^[2] The group members except for Pat Burke were pictured on page 4 of the 7 October issue of New Musical Express. The single had broken into the New Musical Express chart at no. 25 that week. ^{[12] [67]} And by November was number one in the UK Singles Chart. ^[2] The Foundations were pictured on the front page of the 11 November issue of Melody Maker. Moving up from the previous week's no. 2 spot, they pushed the Bee Gees' single, "Massachusetts" off of the no. 1 spot of the Melody Maker Pop 30 chart. ^{[68] [69]} This period was the ideal time for the group because of the soul boom that was happening in the UK since 1965 and, with American R&B stars visiting the country, interest and intrigue in the Foundations was generated. ^{[ citation needed ]}

With the Foundations in the top spot with "Baby, Now That I've Found You", Ron Fairway commented to Melody Maker that most managements would have pulled them out of the "bargain priced dates" that had been booked for some time. He expressed gratitude to everyone for their support, and said that they would fulfill every engagement for which they had signed. ^[3]

In addition to establishing the Foundations as a group, "Baby, Now That I've Found You" was also the song that established their song writer Tony Macaulay. ^[70]

Further activities

According to the 21 October issue of Disc and Music Echo, when the Foundations' single at no. 11 in the chart, the group had been booked for two star shows. One was for 31 October at Bily Smart's Circus at London Clapham Common, an event where a member of the Royal Family attends each year. The other was for 11 November to play at a banquet for the Lord Mayor and civic dignitaries. ^[71]

Not long after their success with "Baby, Now That I've Found You", there were issues. Rock historian Roger Dopson describes what followed as a "behind the scenes struggle", ^[3] where Fairway was "pushed out" and his partner, Barry Class, remained as sole manager of the group. Fairway later attempted to sue the band, alleging that he was wrongfully dismissed as the group's co-manager, though the band said that he had resigned of his own accord. The December 2 issue of New Musical Express wrote that it was likely to be several months before the case would be heard. ^[72] According to Dopson, Fairway had leaked a story to the media saying that the Foundations had broken up which only served to keep the Foundations name in the news headlines. ^{[3] [73]} Barry Class was quoted in the 18 November issue of Melody Maker as saying that it was a friction of personalities and it had been going on for about four months. ^[74] It was also confirmed by New Musical Express that same week that Fairway no longer had any association with the group and that agency representation would be only handled by Class. New Musical Express had the exclusive on the follow up to "Baby, Now That I've Found You" being "Back on My Feet Again". The article also said that the group would be doing a string of radio and television appearances to tie in with the single's release. With "Baby, Now that I've Found You" being released in the United States on the Uni label that week, they were filming a US promo for the single and hoping to fit in a three-day visit to the States at the end of the month. They were also planning to fly to the United States after the completion of their radio and television promotions for "Back on My Feet Again" in January. ^[75]

With the success of "Baby Now that I've Found You" having been established, there was talk within the group of adding a trumpet player to the line-up. Both Allandale and Burke could double on trumpet, but they were still looking to add one. ^[76]

Debut album

The readers of New Musical Express were alerted to the new album by the Foundations with the words in bold, New LPs byFoundationsandJimi Hendrix on the front cover of the November 25 issue. ^[77] The album From the Foundations was issued on Pye NPL 18206. ^[78] Nick Logan, NME reviewer gave the album a solid review and a track by track analysis, noting the Four Tops feel of "The Writings on the Wall". One of his favorites was "Mr. Personality Man". One song he did not warm to was "Call Me". Other tracks on the album were Joe Tex's "Show Me" and "Jerking the Dog", a Mighty Hannibal song, mistakenly referred to as a Rufus Thomas song. ^{[79] [80]}

1968

The Foundations would tour the United States after their first hit, playing 32 states with artists such as Big Brother and the Holding Company, Maxine Brown, Tim Buckley, Solomon Burke, the Byrds, the Crazy World of Arthur Brown and the Fifth Dimension. ^[81]

In January 1968, Barry Class had started his label, Trend Records. ^[82] Eric Allandale would be recruited to produce records for the label. ^[83]

The group was in France in January and they appeared on the Bouton Rouge television show. Their appearance was recorded on 30 January. ^[84]

"Back on My Feet Again"

According to bass guitarist Peter MacBeth, they had a choice of three songs. They recorded two and then chose "Back on My Feet Again". ^[76] This, their second single was released in January 1968, ^[85] It was reviewed by New Musical Express in the magazine's January 20 issue. It was referred to as a scorcher and a very good pop record. The throaty vocals, organ, handclaps, brass and stormy beat were obvious bonuses. The only criticisms, minor as they were, was that the tune was not as catchy as the B-side, "Need Your Loving" (the reviewer most likely referring to the B side, "I Can Take or Leave Your Loving"), and too much top (possibly referring the treble). ^[86] Along with the Tremeloes and the Alan Price Set etc., they were set for a BBC-1 appearance in the next few days. ^[87] The single made its debut at no. 24 in the Melody Maker Pop 30 on the week of 10 February. ^[88] It also debuted at no. 24 in the Disc and Music Echo TOP 30 chart that week. ^[89]

It did not do as well as the first single, but it spent ten weeks in the UK chart, and made it to No. 18. ^{[90] [2]} It made it to No. 29 in Canada. ^{[91] [92]}

Further activities

In January 1968, they were invited to put down some tracks for John Peel's radio show. One of the tracks that they laid down was a cover of ? and the Mysterians garage classic "96 Tears". On the same day, PP Arnold was in the studio with Dusty Springfield and Madeline Bell as her backing vocalists. ^[85] However, the list of tracks given on the BBC site are, "A Whole New Thing", "Back on My Feet Again" and "Help Me". ^{[85] [93]} A recording of "96 Tears" did find its way on to an EP, Baby, Now That I've Found You, released on Pye PNV 24199. ^[94]

The 10 February 1968 issue of Billboard ran a picture of Louis Benjamin, head of Pye Records presenting a gold record to three members of the Foundations to mark the million sales of their debut single. Also pictured was the group's manager Barry Class. ^[95]

Bass player Peter MacBeth was interviewed by Bob Dawbarn for the 17 February issue of Melody Maker. He said that they had a van for their equipment and had recently bought a twelve-seater car that used to belong to the Queen Mother. There was still speculation on whether the group would add a trumpet player. Macbeth said that if they do go to the United States, they would pick up one to tour with them. ^[76]

Since "Back on My Feet Again" (their second single) had been released, tensions developed between the band and their songwriter/producer, Tony Macaulay. He would not allow them to record any of their own songs. ^[1] In an interview, the band's organ player, Tony Gomez, told the New Musical Express (NME) that he, Peter MacBeth, and Eric Allandale had some ideas that they wanted to put together. Curtis later recalled that Macaulay was a problem. "Tony Macaulay was very talented, but could be difficult to get on with. When we asked to record some of our own material – just as B sides, we weren't after the A side – he called us 'ungrateful' and stormed out of the studio." ^[3] The group felt that Macaulay had reined in their "real" sound, making them seem more pop-oriented than they were. ^[1] Tony Macaulay also recalled, "I was never close to the Foundations. I couldn't stand them, and they hated me! But the body of work we recorded was excellent." ^[3]

According to the March 8 issue of New Musical Express, Tony Macaulay was to fly to the United States on 20 May for ten days. While there, he was to supervise some recording sessions in Detroit by The Foundations who were to cut an album and a single there. ^[96]

A third single, also released in 1968 was "Any Old Time (You're Lonely and Sad)". It had been announced for release for April 26. ^[97] It was backed with an Eric Allandale composition, "We Are Happy People". ^[98] It was also mentioned in the April 27 issue of Disc and Music Echo that the single was due for release "Tomorrow". The magazine also mentioned the recent completion of the group's "next album" which is rush-released in the US and would be available in the UK within the next eight weeks. ^[99]

"Any Old Time" would enter the UK charts at no. 48 and stay around for 2 weeks. ^{[100] [2]}

An article "Ireland not for us" appeared in the April 1968 issue of Beat Instrumental which told of a near violent situation involving Clem Curtis where he had been accused of being involved in a fight the night before. It was at the end of a dance that the group had played at and Curtis was at the bar. Curtis said, "I went to the bar, and was confronted by a guy who stuck a knife in my stomach". Curtis had to talk himself out of the situation which took an hour. ^[101]

It was reported in the July 27 issue of Melody Maker that legal action had been taken against the Foundations by Raymond Morrison. In a court hearing that took three hours, Morrison claimed that he had discovered the talent of the group. He failed in his bid to put a freeze on a portion of the group's earnings. He had been released from prison in July 1967 following a six-month sentence for assault. The case was heard by Judge Stamp who said in reference to "Baby, Now That I've Found You", "I cannot understand how it can be suggested that a song which came into existence after Mr. Morrison had severed his connection with the group can he one in which he can have any share or interest". He also dismissed a similar motion against the Pye label. ^[102]

It was reported by Melody Maker in the 24 August issue that The Foundations were completing a live album allegedly recorded live in Britain and the US. The album Rocking the Foundations was cited for release in mid-September. Disc and Music Echo also reported the same thing in their 27 August issue. ^{[103] [104]}

Curtis and Elliott leave the group

By August, rumors had leaked out that Clem Curtis may be leaving the group. The group had been together for a year when there was speculation on this. Melody Maker wrote in their 31 August issue, that at press-time no confirmation could be obtained. They did however write that he wanted to develop his career and record as a solo artist with Tony Macaulay. ^[17] Curtis had made a request to record a solo record. Paul McCartney had also offered to write a song for Curtis. ^[104] It was also suggested that Curtis left in 1968, because he felt that a couple of the band's members were taking it a bit too easy, thinking that because they had now had a hit, they did not have to put in as much effort as they had previously. ^[1] Curtis' reason for leaving differs from member Alan Warner's reason, who in 2022 claimed Curtis left because he tried to change the band name to "Clem Curtis & the Foundations" and left when the band refused. ^[105]

An advertisement appeared on page 22 of the September 14, 1968, issue of Melody Maker. Class Management on behalf of the Foundations were inviting enquiries from soul, r&b and progressive singers who considered themselves suitable to join the above-named group. ^[106] Saxophonist Mike Elliott also left around this time and was never replaced. Curtis hung around and helped them audition a replacement singer. They auditioned 200 singers. ^{[107] [108]} It was reported in the September 14 issue of Melody Maker that they were also trying out Warren Davis of the Warren Davis Monday Band for the role. Curtis said he would not leave the band until they found a replacement. ^[109] He had become friendly with Sammy Davis Jr., ^[110] and was encouraged to try his luck in the United States. Also in that month, they played at the Brave New World in Portsmouth. Drummer Tim Harris was out of action due to a poisoned arm and Eric Allandale filled in as the drummer. They were also set to go into the studio in October to record and it was speculated that it would be with the new singer. ^[109]

Curtis would move to the United States for a solo career on the club circuit, encouraged by the likes of Wilson Pickett and Sam & Dave, playing Las Vegas with the Righteous Brothers.^{[ citation needed ]}

New lead singer

Clem Curtis' successful replacement was Colin Young. ^[111] Young was born in Barbados and had previously been in a group called Joe E. Young and the Tonics ^[112] who had the Soul Buster! album released in 1968. ^[113] Young had joined the Foundations in late September / early October. He had been rehearsing with them for the week of October 5 and was ready to make his debut on Friday October 4 at Aberdeen University. ^{[114] [115]}

It had been reported in the October 12 issue of Melody Maker that the Foundations would record their next single "Build Me Up Buttercup" as soon as legal complications for the release of Joey Young (Colin Young) were sorted out with his former label, Major Minor Records. ^[116] In the same issue, a member of the group mis-named Peter Gomez said that they were frustrated with playing other people's sounds. But now that Clem has left, they felt that they were able to change their sound but only gradually. ^[117]

On 30 November with Young still a fledgling lead singer, the group was to do two shows on one night, the first being the Old Hill Plaza at 9 pm and then followed by the Handsworth Plaza at 11 pm. ^[118]

In his early period with the Foundations, Young had to learn that he was just another group member. Other members put him in into Coventry but he eventually learnt to toe the line and was accepted by the other members. ^[119]

With Young, the band would have two more big hits; "Build Me Up Buttercup", which was their third big hit in January 1969 and "In the Bad Bad Old Days (Before You Loved Me)" which was a hit in April 1969. ^[2]

"Build Me Up Buttercup"

On the week of 30 November 1968, "Build Me Up Buttercup" made its debut in the Disc and Music Echo Top 30 chart at no. 25. ^[120] Spending 15 weeks in the UK chart, it would get to the peak position of no. 2. ^[121] Making its debut at no. 84 in the US, on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending 4 January 1969, ^[122] it would reach the peak position of no. 3 on the week ending 22 February 1969. ^{[123] [124]} It held that position for another two weeks. ^[125]

Two members of the band, McBeth and Gomez were pictured with Tom Jones in the 1 March 1969 issue of Melody Maker, where Tom Jones was giving the band a gold disc at Elstree Studios where they appeared on his show. ^[126]

1969

"In the Bad Bad Old Days"

The song was released on Friday, February 28. ^{[127] [128]} It received a positive review by Chris Welch with a cautionary warning for the listeners to look out for their neck from excessive jerking. ^[129] "In the Bad Bad Old Days" made its debut in the Billboard Hot 100 at no. 77 for the week ending 5 April 1969. ^[130] It would get to no. 8 in the UK and no. 51 in the US. ^[131] It also reached No. 23 in Canada on 5 May that year. ^{[132] [133]}

Further activities in 1969

The Foundations were scheduled to appear on the Tom Jones Show on 9 March 1969. ^[134]

When "In the Bad Bad Old Days" was in the Melody Maker Pop 30 chart at no. 16 on the Week of 26 March, ^[135] the bass player was interviewed. He said that the group wanted to have two albums out that year. The second album would be done after coming back from their US tour. He said that several months prior, they had written some songs for a freaky type of LP. He also said that if they played underground-type numbers in the US, people would listen but he was unsure about back home in the UK, how it would be received. ^[136] Around that time they had been asked by John Carter-Davies, a Texas oil millionaire to play at a 21st birthday party for his son, David.

When they were on tour with Stevie Wonder, they had success with a ballad they performed. This prompted them to consider releasing a Macaulay / Macleod ballad. According to Melody Maker in the 29 March issue, tentatively titled, "No Place on Earth Could Find Him" ^[137] (later referred to as "No Place on Earth Could Find You"). ^[138]

At the height of their popularity, the Foundations' management were in negotiations with a UK TV company for a television series that would star members of the band. They had turned down a number of offers to appear in films because of script unsuitability. ^[139]

It was noted by NME in the 19 April issue that the group had just finished a tour with Stevie Wonder and were completing their third album. They were also on their way to the US for their second major tour and had expectations of recording in Detroit. They were in the NME Top Five that week as well. ^[140] The group's publicist Rod Harrod was interviewed by New Musical Express about the Foundation's US tour. The interview was published in the magazine's 17 May issue. At the time the group was halfway through their tour, and the lineup was Peter Macbeth, Eric Allandale, Tony Gomez, Tim Harris, Alan Warner, Pat Burke and Colin Young. The show they played at the Filmore was opened by the Savoy Brown Blues Band and was closed by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. The group knew what kind of audience they would be playing to. ^[141]

It was reported in the 26 April issue of New Musical Express that the group had earlier considered calling off their United States tour due to a union ban preventing them from being televised there. Weeks later, it still had not been resolved but there were hopes that it would while they were still on tour. ^[142]

They were preparing for their second appearance at the Filmore when they had a phone call from the manager of the Copa club. He informed them that a couple of members of the Temptations had been taken unwell and asked if the Foundations could step in for the night. Not knowing that the group played their own instruments, he asked them to go immediately to rehearse with the house orchestra. The group made history of sorts by becoming the first act to play as a band there as well as playing in clothes other than the suit types. ^[143] They also broke new ground by being the first "self-contained group" and first "rock group" to play there. ^[144] The group also did well by earning a week's worth of pay in one night. They had also secured a booking for when they were on their next tour in next November / October. They also played at the Cheetah which earned them $14,000 for just one night. ^[143] According to Cash Box in the May 3, 1969, issue, things had seemingly gone well for the group with their playing the Copa club and the magazine wrote that Kip Cohen the Filmore manager had given them a release to do the show there. ^[144] However the following week, Cash Box corrected things and said that the Foundations leaving Filmore was not amicable. According to a spokesman for Filmore, the group asked permission to leave to play at the Copa club, and it was denied. So, they decided to leave anyway. ^[145]

They had been booked to play at a club in Dayton, Ohio. At the time of booking, the manager had not realized that they were a multi-racial group and was not going to let them go on. However, he changed his mind. ^[146] The group had planned to do a week's worth of recording at Motown Studios but could not get a recording permit so that was cancelled. So they instead were booked in for a week's worth cabaret work in Detroit. They were also to do a week in Toronto. Publicist Harrod wondered why they never received requests to play in Canada. He noted that there was another group in Canada that went by the same name. ^[147]

After their return from their time in the US at the end of May, the group were set to appear at the Bratislava Song Festival in Czechoslovakia. ^[134]

It had been reported in the June 7 issue of Melody Maker that the Foundations were in a row with their record label (Pye) and producer due to five tracks from their upcoming album, From the Foundations having been leaked to other artists. According to the group, the songs were supposed to be exclusive to them. The group were holding off on the release of their album until September. They discovered that the songs were going to be released by other artists. One of the "exclusive" songs to be released on single was "My Little Chickadee" which had been covered by Geno Washington the same time as The Foundations' version was released on the UNI label in the US. The group's manager Barry Class was due to meet with Pye chief, Louis Benjamin when the article went to press.

Also, in early June the Foundations issued an injunction against Clem Curtis's group, Clem Curtis and The New Foundations who were touted as alternative attraction when the Foundations had to leave the United States a week early when their booking for a week at a Detroit cabaret was cancelled. ^[148]

It was reported in the June 21, 1969 issue of Cash Box that the group was planning to record a live gospel album inside a church. According to their publicity manager, Rod Harrod, the group was inspired by the success that the Edwin Hawkins Singers had with "Oh Happy Day". The article also mentioned the new artistic freedom the group had as a result of a recent deal that Pye chief Louis Benjamin had negotiated. ^[149]

As of July 5, the entities under the umbrella of Class International that handled aspects of The Foundations career were, Class Managements - exclusive management handled by Barry Class; First Class Agency - sole agents, handled by Jim Dawson; Top Class Music - joint publishers handled by Sleeping Bunny; Five Minute Films - promotional films handled by Sylvia Class and Overlord Publicity, worldwide press and publication handled by Rod Harrod. ^[150]

In the 5 July issue of Billboard it was reported that Barry Class had negotiated a new contract for the group with Pye. It was also noted that the group would take charge of producing their own material. ^[151] Tony Gomez was interviewed by Ian Middleton of Record Mirror for the 2 August issue. In reply to Middleton's question about the group changing musical direction, he said, "We've changed it some already". He also said "We all think the same musically". And he mentioned that they had split from Tony Macaulay because things got stale. ^[152]

Digging the Foundations

When their album, Digging the Foundations was released,^{[ when? ]} it containined twelve tracks, half of them were original compositions by the band members. The album cover showed the band members in prison garb, ball and chain with shovels and picks. ^[153] An ad in the April 26 issue of Billboard said that it was due for release in the US shortly. ^[154] It received a track-by-track review in the 5 July issue of Disc and Music Echo. ^[155]

Five of the eleven songs composed by Tony Macaulay and John Macleod. One song "Waiting on the Shores of Nowhere" was composed by Robert Saker and Jack Winsley. The remaining five were original compositions by the band members. ^{[156] [157]} A song from the album, "I Can Feel It", an Eric Allandale composition was covered by Chuck Bennett. It was a hit for him in Germany the following year. ^{[158] [157]} Mac Kissoon also covered the song which was included on his Souled Out album, released the same year. ^[159] Another song from the album, "Solomon Grundy" also composed by Allandale had been covered by Danny Diaz & the Checkmates ^{[156] [160]} as well as Pickettywitch. ^[161]

Due to South African authorities not allowing mixed groups to be seen, the album had to be issued there in a plain cover. ^[162]

Further activities in 1969

In mid-'69, the group was approached to record music for two films. One was Take a Girl Like You which starred Hayley Mills and the other, The Games starring Stanley Baker. Also on Friday 19 July, the group's van was being unloaded in Birmingham and Alan Warner's Fender Stratocaster was stolen. Due to the theft, the group had to delay the recording of the B side to their single, "Born to Live, Born to Die". This in turn delayed the release of the single by a week. The new release date was set for 8 August. ^{[163] [164]}

It was reported by The New Musical Express in the 9 August issue that the Foundations were planning a rock-musical pantomime. It was supposed to be based on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. There was a plan to use a colored actress to play snow white. Parts were also to be played by members of the band. They were allegedly working on music for the presentation and if a suitable theater could be found then it could go ahead. The group's aspirations were to have it done in the style of Hair . There had also been some dialogue with a major film company for a film release which would depend on the success of the musical. ^[165]

The group were going to spend ten days from the beginning of October to film their musical contribution to Take a Girl Like You .

They were to undertake an English tour with Chuck Berry that was to commence on 27 September. There was also hope to have Creedence Clearwater Revival added as well. It was cancelled due to the promoters dropping Berry. Due to Creedence Clearwater Revival being unavailable and no other suitable top acts being found, it was all cancelled. The Foundations however were planning to tour the UK in early 1970.

The group also had a tentative booking for an Australian tour at Christmas time. ^[166]

The Foundations were at no. 1 in the Top Male Vocal Group category, ^[167] and "Build Me Up Buttercup" was no. 10 in the Top Record category in the 16 August issue of Record World. ^[168]

"Born to Live, Born to Die"

With Born to Live, Born to Die" ready to hit the record store shelves the following day, was reviewed by Penny Valentine for the 9 August issue of Disc and Music Echo. She began by saying that she liked all things Foundations because of their tight identifiable sounds but she said she was a little weary of this record. There was a lot of things happening in the background that made her uneasy and didn't seem to gel. She also said at the beginning they sounded a lot like Mike d'Abo. She also admitted that the chorus was amazingly catchy, but she felt that the group had been given too much of a free hand. ^[169] The single was one of the singles in the Special Merit Spotlight section of the 13 September issue of Billboard. The reviewer gave it a possibility of getting into the Hot 100 and that it would surpass their recent hit "My Little Chickadee. ^[170] It was reviewed by Cash Box in the 13 September issue in the magazine's Picks of the Week section. The improved production quality was noted. There was a possibility of heavy sales if FM would pick up on it. The reviewer also said that it was one of the strongest Foundations singles since their last resurge into the Top 40. ^[171]

On the week of September 13, Record Mirror showed the entry of "Born to Live Born to Die" in the National Top 50 charts at no. 46. ^[172] Billboard reported in the 27 September issue that in Canada, Phonodisc was ahead of other countries with its rush release of "Born to Live, Born to Die". Heavy promotion for it was expected when the band would start their cross-country tour of universities commencing on 16 October. ^[173] On the week ending 27 September, it had dropped down to no. 50 in the UK. ^[174] The 4 October issue showed that the single was back at no. 46. ^[175] It was also in the Malaysian Top Ten having moved from no. 11 to no. 8. ^[176] The peak position of no. 4 in the Malaysian chart was shown in the 25 October issue of Billboard. ^[177] It was still in the Top Ten a week later. ^[178] Breakout sales action for Canada was reported by Cash Box in the 18 October issue. ^[179] It would be listed as one of the best-selling singles from Pye in the 4 July 1970 issue. ^[180]

Further activities in late 1969

A selection of lower priced records were listed in the 18 October issue of New Musical Express. Among them was the self-titled Foundations album on Marble Arch MALS 1157. ^[181] It featured stereo re-recordings of previously recorded songs. ^{[182] [183]} The songs "Any Old Time (Your'e Lonely And Sad)", "Back on My Feet Again", "Harlem Shuffle", "Tomorrow" and "We Are Happy People" appeared on the Rocking the Foundations album released the previous year. ^{[184] [185]} "Baby Now That I've Found You" with Colin Young on vocals has the same backing track as the original Clem Curtis version. ^{[186] [187]} The new version of "Tomorrow" years later has been referred to as the alternate version. This version has Colin Young on vocals instead of Clem Curtis' vocals which appeared on the live version. They too have the same backing track. However, the Colin Young re-recording is a longer edit. ^{[188] [189]} It was originally on the Rocking the Foundations album ^[190] which was a mixture of actual live and studio tracks. This suggests that there were some recordings with Clem Curtis on lead vocals existed but his vocals were replaced with those by Colin Young.^{[ citation needed ]}

Bassist Peter Macbeth left the band in 1969 to join the group Bubastis with Bernie Living. ^{[191] [192]} Over time, other members included Geoff Nicholson and Brian Appleyard from East of Eden, Simon Lee from Alexis Korner, and soul sax player Mike Freeman. ^[193]

An article appeared in the September 20 issue of New Musical Express that the new single for the group was "Love Song" which was written for the group by Donovan. The group cut short their Dutch tour so they could go back to London to record that song plus the Bill Martin and Phil Coulter composition "Take a Girl Like You" on October 8. It was also reported in the same article that their rock opera that was planned for Christmas had to be shelved. ^[194]

The absence of the group in Sweden caused concern to their management in late September. They were reported missing. At the time there were heavy storms in Sweden that resulted in injuries and deaths. Rod Harrod, spokesman for the group said that management was very worried. The group's agent was flying out to investigate. ^[195]

According to the Seventies Sevens website, the November 5, 1969 issue of Record Retailer reported that David Myers and John Worsley who were songwriters with Southern Music left to Join Barry Class' Trend label that year. ^[196] They composed "Baby, I Couldn't See" which The Foundations recorded. Eric Allendale who had been taken on as a producer for Trend in 1968 co-directed the recording with Worsley. ^{[197] [83]} Backed with Colin Young's composition "Penny Sir", it was released on single, Pye 7N 17849 in 1969. ^[197] It became a minor hit in Holland, making it on to the Dutch Tipparade chart, where it peaked at no. 8 on week three. ^{[198] [199]}

Steve Bingham would assume of the role of Foundations bass guitarist in 1969. ^[200]

1970

Break away from management and legal action

It had been reported in a publicity sheet around early December 1969 that the band had broken away from their manager Barry Class. Jim Dawson who was formerly their agent and Mike Dolan took over the group's affairs. ^[201] Having left Barry Class's management, the group had joined a management company headed by Mike Dolan of Marquee-Martin and Jim Dawson. Barry Class took legal action against the group. Class was granted temporary injunctions by High Court Judge McGarry to restrain Dawson from disposing of any documents relating to the group. Also, with contracts negotiated prior to Nov. 28, 1969 (the day of contract breach), a percentage of money was to go to Class. The article in the 3 January 1970 issue of Billboard also mentioned that the group's royalties had been frozen. Dawson was also ordered to return any documents belonging to Class. ^[202]

Further activities

The single "Take a Girl Like You" was released in February, 1970. ^[203] An article appeared in the 21 March issue of Record Mirror when their current single was "Take a Girl Like You. The article told of the group's frustration with the material they were performing live and the teen scene they were having play on. With disgust, Colin Young explained that they were having to perform the same music on stage for the last two years which he felt was getting stale. One of the few songs they were performing that was not one of their hits was the song "Help Me" by Sonny Boy Williamson. At the time of the article, the line-up was given as Eric Allandale, Steve Bingham, Pat Burke, Tony Gomez, Tim Harris, Alan Warner and Colin Young. The group was also leaning towards a more progressive sound. ^[204]

It appears that the Foundations were in Pye Studios around the second quarter of 1970. According to the May, 1970 issue of Beat Instrumental, the group had been in the studios to lay down some tracks. ^[205]

"My Little Chickadee" proved to be the band's last hit. In spite of releasing "Take a Girl Like You", the title song to the Oliver Reed and Hayley Mills film of the same name, and a heavy blues rock song "I'm Gonna Be a Rich Man",^{[ citation needed ]} which was one of the few songs that Steve Bingham played on. ^[206]

On August 6, a broadcast showed the band's appearance on Top of the Pops performing "I'm Gonna Be a Rich Man". ^[207]

According to Disc and Music Echo in the magazine's September 5 issue, The Foundations were appearing with Miki Antony on Ed Stewart's Stewpot show on Saturday at 5:15 pm. ^[208]

Departure of Colin Young and break up

It was reported by New Musical Express in the week ending 10 October 1970 issue that lead singer Colin Young had left the group to pursue a solo career. He had already signed a contract with Barry Class and was putting together his new group which was called Development. ^[209] Young would later claim that the rest of the band had got above themselves, the band hardly rehearsing, staying in the biggest most expensive hotels in the US and some members failing to turn up for bookings. ^[210]

The Foundations split in late 1970.^{[ citation needed ]}

During their time, the group took on bassists, Tony Collinge (possibly joined when the group left Barry Class in 1969),^{[ citation needed ]} Paul Lockey (in 1970) who had been with Robert Plant in Band of Joy. ^{[211] [ citation needed ]}

Other versions of band

Late 1970 to the end of the 1970s

Colin Young and Development

Since late 1970, Barry Class attempted to have the Foundations name revived. The band had Graham Preskett as the musical director and on electric violin and guitar. Other members Jean Roussel on keys and Roger Cawkwell on sax and flute and Colin Young on vocals. The group had an agreement with management that they would appear as The Foundations but between gigs Colin Young would explain that they were becoming a new outfit called Development. They toured throughout Latin America and even played at the Expo-Show in Buenos Aires. They continued though to early 1971.^{[ citation needed ]} According to a later article in Disc and Music Echo, Development aka The Foundations did remarkably well in Latin America. ^[210]

In 1971, Colin Young also had a single, "Any Time at All" bw "You're No Good" released on Trend 6099 005. It was produced by Tony Rockliff and Barry Class. It was credited to Colin Young introducing Development. ^{[212] [213]} It was also released on Uni 55286. A Hot 100 prediction, it was in Billboard's Top 60 Pop Spotlight section for the week ending 5 June 1971. ^[214]

The last record released in the early 1970s period credited to "The Foundations" was a single "Stoney Ground" b/w "I'll Give You Love" MCA MCA 5075 in 1971. ^{[215] [216] [217]} The composers were actually Conan Byrne and Warren Davis of the Warren Davis Monday Band fame. ^{[218] [219] [220]} Davis had tried out for the role of Foundations' lead singer in 1968. ^[109] For the week of 29 January 1972 along with releases by Santana, Rod Stewart, The Hillside Singers and BJ Thomas etc., the song was on the pop section of the Cash Box Juke Box Programming Guide. ^[221] For the week ending 26 February, the single made its debut on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart. Charting for a week, it peaked at no. 113. ^{[222] [223] [224]}

As reported in the 4 March 1972 issue of Disc and Music Echo, Development, Colin Young's group was alternating between that name and The Foundations when gigging around the UK. They were looking to release their first album the following month. ^[210] Colin Young had an album released on the Stateside label, In the Beginning and credited to Colin Young's Development. ^{[225] [226]} The musicians on the album included Graham Preskett on violin, guitar, banjo, harmonica, melodica, Steve Bingham on bass, Roger Cawkwell on flute, recorder and saxophones, Jean Roussel on organ and piano and Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton on trombone and trumpet etc. ^[225]

Others

There would be two more singles released credited to "The Foundations" in the late 1970s. ^{[227] [228]}

When Curtis returned to the UK, he formed a new version of the group with little success in spite of releasing several singles, but later had a lucrative spell on the 1960s nostalgia circuit. Re-formed members included John Springate, ^[229] Derek "Del" Watson, Paul Wilmot (all members of the band Elegy) and Roy Carter who later on joined Heatwave. ^[230]

According to an article about Brian Johnston of the White Plains on the White Plains Chronicles website, there is information provided by James Payne that gives a partial line-up of a 1973 version of the Foundations. Listed were Clem Curtis on vocals, Eric Allandale on trombone, Brian Johnston on keyboards and Jim Payne on drums. ^[231]

In the mid-1970s, while Clem Curtis and the Foundations were on the road, there was also another Foundations line-up that was led by Colin Young who were touring at the same time, and were playing basically the same material. This eventually led to court action which resulted in Curtis being allowed to bill his group as either the Foundations or Clem Curtis & the Foundations. Young was allowed to bill himself as "The New Foundations", or as "Colin Young & the New Foundations". ^[3] The New Foundations name was previously used for the Australian release of "Build Me Up Buttercup" on Astor AP-1567 in 1969. ^{[232] [233] [ citation needed ]}

In 1975, Young and his group, The New Foundations, released a lone single on "Something for My Baby" / "I Need Your Love" on Pye 45533. ^{[3] [234] [235]} Also in the same period, another group, also called New Foundations released a soul ballad single, "Darling (You're All I Need)" on Atlantic 45-3225. This New Foundations was a group from the United States who were produced by George Kerr. ^{[236] [237]}

The Clem Curtis led Foundations were competitors in the Eurovision 1977 with "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love?". ^{[238] [239]} They were picked to be winners but due to a strike by electricians, they were not televised. ^{[240] [241]} 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". ^[242] Also that month, "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love" was being played on Radio Tees and David Hoare had it as a hit pick. ^[227] Backed with "Love Me Nice and Easy", it was released on Summit SU 100 in 1977. ^{[243] [227]}

In 1978, there was another single credited to The Foundations. It was "Closer to Loving You" b/w "Change My Life" released on Psycho P2603. ^[244] Over the years the B side "Change My Life" gained popularity among Northern soul fans. ^{[245] [246] [247]} It appears on the Fab-U-Lus Northern Soul 10" LP album compilation. ^[248]

1980s to 1990s

In 1984, Clem Curtis & The Foundations recorded a version of On Broadway" that was released on the IDM label that year. Charting in the UK, it debuted in the IPA Airplay Top 10 on 1 September at no. 3 and was at no. 5 on the 29 of that month. ^{[249] [250]}

In the early 1990s, an album of re-recordings was released. It featured Clem Curtis on lead vocals, Alan Warner on guitar, Vince Cross on keyboards and Andy Bennett on drums. The recordings were arranged and produced by Keith Bateman. Released on Double Play GRF176, it included the old hits plus new tracks, "You Can't Fool Me", "Knock On Wood", "No-One Loves Me Like You Do", "Together", "Love You Now", "Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay" and "Loving You". ^{[251] [252]}

There was another line-up formed in 1999 that included Colin Young (vocals), Alan Warner (Guitar), Steve Bingham (bass), Gary Moberly (keyboards), Tony Laidlaw (sax) and Sam Kelly then Steve Dixon (drums). This version of the group was re-formed due to the popularity of the film There's Something About Mary , and the interest created resulting from the 1968 hit "Build Me Up Buttercup" being featured in the film. Some time later, Young left this version of the group and was replaced by Hue Montgomery (aka Hugh Montgomery).^{[ citation needed ]}

2000s

As of April 2024, the line up of the re-created Foundations group is Hubert Montgomery on lead vocals, Alan Warner on guitar and vocals, John Dee on bass guitar, Dave Lennox on keyboards, Pete Stroud on drums, and Nick Payn on saxophone. ^[253]

• Various sources have erroneously stated that there was an early 1970s English line-up that had nothing, or little to do with the original Foundations. However, Curtis had been leading a new line-up of the Foundations since coming back to the UK and re-forming the group in the early 1970s.^{[ citation needed ]}

Outside the Foundations

Following the touring with the Foundations and the fatigue that went with it, Alan Warner was happy to settle down and spend time with his wife and daughter and had moved into their home in Edgeware, NW London. Answering an ad, he joined a band which had already been formed, the rock group Pluto. The line up also included Paul Gardner, Derek Jarvis and Michael Worth. ^[254] They recorded an album which was released on the Dawn label, a subsidiary of Pye. ^{[28] [255]} The band also released a single, "Rag a Bone Joe" and "Stealing My Thunder" in October 1971. ^[256] They followed up with a single "I Really Want It" and " Something That You Loved" in 1972. ^[257]

In the 1970s, there would be a collaborative attempt between two former members of the Foundations. Original Foundations trombonist Eric Allandale attempted to work with original Foundations drummer Tim Harris. ^[258]

In 1975, Clem Curtis recorded a disco version of "Unchained Melody" which spent three weeks in the Record Mirror UK Disco Chart, peaking at no. 75. ^[259] In 2005, he recorded the single "Stuck in a Wind Up" which was credited to Lord Large feat. Clem Curtis. Years later, spending a week in the iTunes chart, it peaked at no. 54 on 3 April 2022. ^[260]

Later years

By April 1979, the Flashback label had reissued "Baby, Now that I've Found You" and Build Me Up Buttercup" back to back on single, cat # FBS 6. ^[261]

Raymond Morrison later had some success as part of a duo called Ram & Tam. ^{[262] [263]} He died on February 24, 2013. ^[264]

Clem Curtis died on 27 March 2017 at age 76, from lung cancer. ^[265]

Guitarist Alan Warner was interviewed by Strange Brew in 2022. He was talking about the group's relationship with Tony Macaulay. He also talked about the members and made a reference to Mike Elliott where he said, "The oldest guy in the band he was about forty". He then said "Funny enough I found out the other day, that he's still around. He celebrated his 90th ... or ninety something birthday the other day, I couldn't believe it!" ^{[266] [267]}

In September 2023, music label London Calling released the Live on Air CD which brought together the tracks the band recorded for the Top of the Pops radio show. ^[268]

Former personnel

The Foundations

• Clem Curtis: lead vocals – born 28 November 1940, ^[269] Trinidad, West Indies – d. 27 March 2017 ^[265] – (1966–1968)
• Colin Young: lead vocals - b. 12 September 1944, Barbados, West Indies - replaced Clem Curtis in 1968 – (1968–1970)
• Arthur Brown: vocals - b. 24 June 1942, Whitby, Yorkshire, – (one month in 1967)
• Alan Warner: lead guitar – b. 21 April 1947, ^[269] Paddington, west London – (1966–1970)
• Peter Macbeth: bass guitar – b. Peter McGrath, 2 February 1941, ^[269] Marylebone, North London – (1966–1969)
• Steve Bingham: bass guitar – b. 4 April 1949, Solihull, Warwickshire – (1969–1970)
• Tim Harris: drums – b. 14 January 1948, ^[269] St John's Wood, North London – (1966–1970)
• Tony Gomez: keyboards – b. 13 December 1948, ^[269] Colombo, Ceylon – (now Sri Lanka) – d. 19 December 2015 – (1966–1970)
• Pat Burke: tenor saxophone/flute – b. 9 October 1937, ^[269] Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies – (1966–1970)
• Mike Elliott: tenor saxophone – b. 6 August 1929, ^[269] Jamaica, West Indies (1966–1968)
• Eric Allandale: trombone – b. Eric Allandale Dubuisson, 4 March 1936, ^[269] Dominica, West Indies – died 23 August 2001 – (1966–1970)
• Tony Collinge : bass guitar – b. 4 February 1947, Selly Park, Birmingham – (1969–1970)
• Paul Lockey: bass guitar ^[270] – joined in 1970 for nine months.^{[ citation needed ]} – (1970)

Guests

• Mike D'Abo: piano – b. Michael David D'Abo, 1 March 1944, Betchworth, Surrey. Co-wrote and guested on "Build Me Up Buttercup" contributing piano.
• John Mcleod: piano

Discography

Summary of single releases

From the band's beginning to their breakup towards the end of 1970, the Foundations released ten singles in the United Kingdom including two versions of the same song. The majority of the singles were composed by Tony Macaulay and John Macleod. They had four significant hits from these plus a minor hit with one of their own compositions, "Born to Live, Born to Die". They had minor hit with "My Little Chickadee" in the United States. This was written by Tony Macaulay and John Macleod. ^[271] There were other titles announced that were either never recorded or were never released. They were "Our Love Went Thataway", ^[272] "Tear Jerker, Music-worker, You" which was to be released around the same time as "Better By Far" by Lulu and "No Place On Earth Could Find You". ^[139] In 1971, the single "Stoney Ground" was released. It is believed that this single was actually by Colin Young and his new backing band Development. It seems quite likely as the Colin Young and Development debut single "Any Time at All" pre-dates "Stoney Ground". In the mid and late 1970s, there were two more singles released under the Foundations’ name. They were "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love?" and "Closer to Loving You" which featured the Northern Soul classic "Change My Life" as the B side. These last two singles to bear the Foundations’ name featured Clem Curtis once more as the lead vocalist.

Summary of album releases

During the 1960s, the Foundations recorded and released four LPs in the United Kingdom. Before the release of their debut album, it was originally announced in the October 1967, by Beat Instrumental Monthly, that the debut album's title was to be Sound Basis. ^[45] However, when it was released on Pye, it had the title of From the Foundations. The American version of this album, on the Uni label, was given the title of Baby, Now That I've Found You. This album featured Curtis on lead vocals. The next release was in 1968. It was a live LP called Rocking the Foundations, and also featured Curtis on lead vocals, plus two instrumentals – "The Look of Love" and "Coming Home Baby". Also in 1968, another LP was released, this time on the Marble Arch label. This self-titled third album featured re-recordings of their previous hits and songs, but with Young on vocals instead of Curtis. It also featured a version of a new track, "Build Me Up Buttercup". There was also a second American album released called Build Me Up Buttercup . This was a compilation of Foundations tracks. Side one consisted of tracks from their Rocking the Foundations album, while side two consisted of "Build Me Up Buttercup", the B side of that single, plus some earlier Foundations tracks. The group's last LP release was Digging The Foundations in 1969, which featured their hit "In the Bad Bad Old Days", "I Can Feel It", "That Same Old Feeling" and the minor US hit "My Little Chickadee". A track "Why Does She Keep On" that was mentioned in the 26 April 1969 issue of Billboard magazine was not included. ^[273] Since then, there have been various compilations of the Foundations songs, released on both the Golden Hour and PRT labels. ^{[274] [275]}

UK original albums

• From the Foundations (Pye NSPL 18206, 1967)
• Rocking the Foundations (Pye NSPL 18227, 1968) – live album
• Digging the Foundations (Pye NSPL 18290, 1969)

UK compilation albums

• The Foundations (Marble Arch MALS 1157–1968)
• Golden Hour of the Foundations (GH 574, 1973)
• Back to the Beat (PRT DOW7, 1983)
• Best Of (PRT PYL 4003–1987)

UK EPs 7"

• "It's All Right" (Pye NEP24297, 1968)
• "Mini Monster" (Pye PMM.103)

UK EPs 12"

• "Baby, Now That I've Found You" (Pye Big Deal BD 107) – 4 tracks
• "Baby, Now That I've Found You" (PRT Pyt 24, 1989) – 3 tracks including remix

UK CDs

• Golden Hour of the Foundations (Knight Records KGH CD 104, 1990)
• Strong Foundations – The Singles and More (Music Club – MCCD 327, 1997)
• Build Me Up Buttercup (Castle Select SELCD 527, 1998)
• Baby, Now That I've Found You (Sequel Records – NEECD 300, 1999)
• Build Me Up Buttercup (The Complete Pye Collection) (Castle, 2004)
• Live on Air ^[268]

US albums

• Baby Now That I've Found You (Uni 3016 (Mono)/73016 (Stereo), 1967)
• Build Me Up Buttercup (Uni 73043, 1968) – US No. 92 ^[276]
• Digging the Foundations (Uni 73058, 1969)
• The Very Best Of (Varèse Sarabande 74648, 2017)

Singles

List of singles, with selected peak chart positions and certifications

Year	Title	Peak chart positions								Certifications
		UK [2]	AUS [277]	CAN	IRE	NLD [278]	NZ [279]	US Hot 100 [276]	US R&B [276]
1967	"Baby Now That I've Found You"	1	21	1	3	13	16	11	33
1968	"Back on My Feet Again"	18	—	29	18	32	—	59	—
	"Any Old Time (You're Lonely and Sad)"	48	—	—	—	—	20	—	—
	"Build Me Up Buttercup"	2	1	1	3	12	4	3	—	BPI: 2× Platinum [280]
1969	"In the Bad Bad Old Days (Before You Loved Me)"	8	—	23	7	—	20	51	—
	"Born to Live, Born to Die"	46	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"My Little Chickadee"	—	—	68	—	—	—	99	—
	"Baby, I Couldn't See"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1970	"Take a Girl Like You"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"I'm Gonna Be a Rich Man"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1971	"Stoney Ground"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1977	"Where Were You When I Needed Your Love?"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1978	"Closer to Loving You"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1998	"Build Me Up Buttercup" (UK re-release)	71	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Line ups

The Foundations

1966–1968

• Eric Allandale
• Arthur Brown
• Pat Burke
• Clem Curtis
• Mike Elliott
• Tony Gomez
• Tim Harris
• Peter MacBeth
• Alan Warner

1968–1970

• Eric Allandale
• Steve Bingham
• Pat Burke
• Tony Collinge ^{[ citation needed ]}
• Tony Gomez
• Tim Harris
• Peter MacBeth
• Alan Warner
• Colin Young

1970–1971

• Eric Allandale
• Steve Bingham
• Pat Burke
• Tony Gomez
• Tim Harris
• Paul Lockey ^{[ citation needed ]}
• Alan Warner
• Colin Young

1993

• Clem Curtis
• Alan Warner
• Vince Cross
• Andy Bennett ^{[251] [252]}
• Tee Green
• Keith Waites
• Graham Cuttill

References

1. Bruce Eder. "The Foundations | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 209. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
3. Inlay notes to Baby Now That I've Found You CD, Sequel Records NEECD 300
4. Jazz News, Wednesday 5 April 1961 - Page 16 Eric Allandale's New Orleans Knights
5. Music Metason - ArtistInfo, Eric Allendale
6. "50connect : A Chat With The Foundations' Clem Curtis". 18 October 2008. Archived from the original on 18 October 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
7. Eel Pie Island Museaum - 1962 Roll-call July 1962
8. Kaleidoscope THE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK ALBUM (Amazon) - Back cover notes by Stanley Myers
9. "Romeo Z". Discogs.com. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
10. 1960s British Beat Music Producers & Labels - Discographies - CBS Records - UK and European Singles Discography (1965-1969)
11. Martin Roberts UK family home page - IRVING MARTINPRODUCTIONS, 60s Productions by Irving Martin on 45
12. Disc and Music Echo, November 4, 1967 - Page 11 Eight faces that laid the FOUNDATIONS of a hit!
13. The History of British Rock and Roll: The Psychedelic Years 1967 - 1969, By Robin Bell · 2017, ISBN   9789198191684 - Chapter Four: The Summer of Love
14. Disc and Music Echo, July 5, 1969 - Page 15 Disc Special, Digging the Foundations By BOB FARMER, Pat Burke -in love with jazz
15. Noise 11, 28 Mar 2017 - R.I.P. Clem Curtis of The Foundations 1940–2017 by Roger Wink, VVN Music
16. The Guardian, Tue 28 Mar 2017 - Foundations lead singer Clem Curtis dies aged 76
17. Melody Maker, 31 August 1968 - Page 4 Clem to quit Foundations?
18. Disc and Music Echo, November 4, 1967 - Page 11 Eight faces that laid the FOUNDATIONS of a hit!, * Clem Curtis
19. Tapir's Reggae Discographies - PLANETONE 7"S
20. Tighten Up!: The History of Reggae in the UK, - Page 19
21. DJ Mag, Tuesday, 25 July 2023 - NEWS, Sonny Roberts, Jamaican producer who opened Britain’s first Black-owned recording studio, to be honoured with blue plaque - MARISSA CETIN
22. Disc and Music Echo, July 5, 1969 - Page 15 DISC SPECIAL, Digging the Foundations By BOB FARMER, Tony Gomez -once a 'stinker'
23. Disc and Music Echo, November 4, 1967 - Page 11 Eight faces that laid the FOUNDATIONS of a hit!, * Tony Gomesz
24. Disc and Music Echo, November 4, 1967 - Page 11 Eight faces that laid the FOUNDATIONS of a hit!, * Tim Harris
25. Disc and Music Echo, July 5, 1969 - Page 15 DISC SPECIAL, Digging the Foundations By BOB FARMER, Tim Harris -seagoing drummer
26. Disc and Music Echo, July 5, 1969 - Page 15 DISC SPECIAL, Digging the Foundations By BOB FARMER, Peter Macbeth -intellectual
27. Disc and Music Echo, November 4, 1967 - Page 11 Eight faces that laid the FOUNDATIONS of a hit!, * Peter Macbeth
28. It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine , 22 July 2011 - Pluto interview with Paul Gardner & Alan Warner, You were in The Foundations and recorded four albums.
29. Irish Rock.org - Black Eagles
30. Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2017, By Harris M. Lentz III, (2017) ISBN   978-1-4766-2912-4 (ebook) - Page 88 Curtis, Clem (Note: Info correct but photo is incorrect. It is of Pat Burke, not Clem Curtis
31. Alan Warner Website - The Foundations
32. 40 Hits, 40 Stories Behind Top Songs of the 1960s and 1970s, by Rick Simmons (2023) ISBN   978-1-4766-4690-9 (ebook) - Page 183 #33 (R&B Charts), "Baby, Now That I've Found You" (1967), THE FOUNDATIONS
33. Noise 11, 28 March 2017 - R.I.P. Clem Curtis of The Foundations 1940-2017 by ROGER WINK, VVN MUSIC
34. 2NUR FM103.7, Wednesday 23 August 2023 - Vinyl Vibes by Jack Hodgins - Alan Warner - Original Guitarist of the Foundations 16:35
35. Centre Stage Promotions - The Foundations
36. The Little Box Office - The Foundations, Story of The Foundations By Ralph Gowling, Deputy Editor of The Beat magazine
37. Louder, January 15, 2004 - Arthur Brown: Fire Starter by Hugh Fielder
38. It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine , 22 Jan 2012 - Arthur Brown first came to prominence in swinging London. He is most well-known for The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Kingdom Come.
39. New Musical Express, 22 March 1969 - Page 12 FOUNDATIONS WERE SINGING WAITERS
40. Alice Randall RadioShows channel, 4 February 2022 - Alan Warner original guitarist of The Foundations interview by Alice Randall 9:00
41. Mixcloud - The3decadesshow - Alan Warner radio feature part 2
42. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. pp.  220–221. ISBN   0-214-20512-6.
43. An Avid's Guide to Sixties Songwriters, by Peter Dunbavin, 2017, ISBN   978-1-52463345-5 (e) - 47 . Tony Macauley
44. Melody Maker, October 21, 1967 - Page 7 OUT OF JAZZ, TAMLA, R&B COME THE FOUNDATIONS
45. Beat Instrumental, Dec 1967 - Page 28 Foundations never thought they'd make the charts by Crotus Pike
46. Record Mirror, No. 347 Week ending Nov.11, 1967 - Page 3 'Before this record, WE were just what you'd call 'bums" say the Foundations
47. Melody Maker, 4 February 1967 - Page 13 CLUBS, THE NEW ALL-STAR CLUB
48. "The Foundations". Alan-warner.com. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
49. Strange Brew - The Ways and Means
50. New Musical Express, 2 July 1965 - Page 11 THE NEW TREND, MOLTONS NEW WAVE, Enquiries : RON FAIRWAY ENTERPRISES
51. Melody Maker, 7 January 1967 - Page 2 OUT NOW FROM THE WAYS AND MEANS, SEA OF FACES
52. The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame - The City Sixties, The City Sixty, 1st - 8th January 1967
53. Radio London Ltd - Radio Caroline Countdown Of Sound, Last week 44, This week 41 Sea Of Faces, Ways & Means
54. The Strange Brew - The Ways and Means
55. 2NUR FM103.7, Wednesday 23 August 2023 - Vinyl Vibes by Jack Hodgins - Alan Warner - Original Guitarist of the Foundations 15:50 - 17:00
56. Eel Pie Island Museaum - 1967 Roll-call, 1967, 14 May 1967 – The Foundations (£10)
57. TW Magazines, October 1, 2022 - The Musical View From Eel Pie Island, Eelpiland Performers
58. Disc and Music Echo, October 21, 1967 - Page 10 FOUNDATIONS -EIGHT NAMES FROM NOWHERE
59. Digital Collections - Date: 1993-11-08, Vorda, Allan (interviewer) Arthur Brown: Interview (Side A) 20:42
60. "Shaynezucker". Shaynezucker.com. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
61. NME, Foundations Revive British Soul Scene (1st ed.). UK. 1967. p. 4.
62. NME Originals Vol 2 Issue 2, Foundations Revive British Soul Scene (1st ed.). UK. April 2005. p. 81.
63. Clayson, Alan (1998). Build Me Up Buttercup, Castle Select SELCD 527 (1st ed.). UK: Castle Select. p. 4.
64. History Channel - This Day in HistoryAugust 27Beatles manager Brian Epstein dies
65. Disc and Music Echo, 26 August 1967 - Page 15 QUICK SPINS :
66. Billboard, April 26, 1969 - Page 60 Barry Class * continued from page 43
67. New Musical Express, Week ending October 7, 1967 - Page 4 NEW to the charts, Foundations began in the basement ! FOUNDATIONS (l to r) front TIM HARRIS, ERIC ALLENDALE, CLEM CURTIS, TONY GOMEZ, back row MIKE ELLIOT, PETER McGRATH and ALAN WARNER.
68. Melody Maker, 11 November 1967 - Page 1 Foundations hit top spot
69. Melody Maker, 11 November 1967 - Page 2 MELODY MAKER POP 30, 1 (2)
70. Story of Pop, The Radio One Part 10 - Page 279 - 280 THE FOUNDATIONS
71. Disc and Music Echo, October 21, 1967 - Page 7 FOUNDATIONS FOR ROYALTY
72. New Musical Express, December 2, 1967 - Page 10 FOUNDATIONS SUED
73. Rawlings, Terry (2002). Then, now and rare British beat 1960–1969 (illustrated ed.). UK: Omnibus Press. p. 82. ISBN   978-0711990944.
74. Melody Maker, 18 November 1967 - Page 1 Foundations rocked by management split
75. New Musical Express, 18 November 1967 - Page 13 Foundations' next single revealed
76. Melody Maker, 17 February 1968 - Page 10 Foundations prove 'one -hit' knockers wrong - BOB DAWBARN
77. New Musical Express, No. 1089 Week ending' November 21, 1967 - Page 1 New LPs byFoundationsandJimi Hendrix
78. New Musical Express, No. 1089 Week ending' November 21, 1967 - Page 4 Six Superlative Albums in Your Shops Now.
79. New Musical Express, No. 1089 Week ending' November 21, 1967 - Page 14 Filled with Sweet Soul - Nick Logan
80. Cash Box, November 20, 1965 - Page 13 Cash Box RECORD REVIEWS, MIGHTY HANNIBAL (Shurfire 011)
81. Jon Kutner (26 May 2010). 1000 UK Number One Hits. Omnibus Press. p. 324. ISBN   9780857123602 . Retrieved 28 March 2017.
82. Billboard, January 20, 1968 - Page 40 International News Reports, Barry Class Starts Label
83. Beat Instrumental, February, 1968 - Page 24 Instrumental News, Barry Class Starts Trend Record Label
84. Past Daily, October 25, 2013 - The Foundations – In Session on Bouton Rouge – 1968 – Nights at the Roundtable: Session Edition
85. Heatley, Michael. Strong Foundations – The Singles And More, Music Club MCCD 327 (1st ed.). UK: Music Club.
86. New Musical Express, No. 1097 20 January 1968 - Page 4 NEW FOUNDATIONS A SCORCHER!
87. New Musical Express, No. 1097, 20 January 1968 - Page 6 MORE POP -PACKED TV Pet spec, Cilia, Freeman, Dee, Dodd guests
88. Melody Maker, 10 February 1968 - Page 2 MELODY MAKER POP 30
89. Disc and Music Echo, 10 February 1968 - Page 3 DISC TOP 30
90. Official Charts - FOUNDATIONS, FOUNDATIONS Songs, Official Singles Chart
91. RPM Weekly, Volume 9 No. 9 Week Ending 27 April 1968 - Page 1 THE RPM 100, 29 29 39 BACK ON MY FEET AGAIN
92. RPM Weekly, Volume 9 No. 10 Week Ending 4 May 1968 - Page 1 THE RPM 100
93. "Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - 08/01/1968 The Foundations". BBC. 14 January 1968. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
94. Second Hand Songs - EP Baby, Now That I've Found You by The Foundations
95. Billboard, February 10, 1968 - Page 40 International News Reports, PYE RECORDS (London) chief Louis Benjamin presents a gold disk to three members of the Foundations
96. New Musical Express, No. 1156 Week ending March 8, 1969 - Page 8 Foundations to wax in Detroit
97. Melody Maker, April 26, 1968 - Page 3 Foundations single released this month
98. Second Hand Songs - ORIGINAL, We Are Happy People by The Foundations
99. Disc and Music Echo, April 27, 1968 - Page 7 Foundations disc
100. Official Charts - FOUNDATIONS, FOUNDATIONS Songs, ANY OLD TIME (YOU’RE LONELY AND SAD)
101. Beat Instrumental, April 1968 - Page 33 "Ireland not for us" says Clem Curtis
102. Melody Maker, July 27, 1968 - Page 4 MORRISON CLAIM
103. Melody Maker, 24 August 1968 - Page 4 NEWS EXTRA
104. Disc and Music Echo, 28 August 1968 - Page 6 Clem quitting Foundations?
105. "The Strange Brew - artist stories behind the greatest music ever recorded: Alan Warner – The Foundations on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
106. Melody Maker, September 14, 1968 - Page 22 CLASS MANAGEMENTS LTD. (advertisement)
107. Pop Dose, 19 April 2018 - Soul Serenade: The Foundations, "Baby, Now That I've Found You"
108. Click Americana, 6 Mar 2021 - The Foundations: The '60s band behind 'Baby, Now That I've Found You' and 'Build Me Up Buttercup'
109. Melody Maker, 14 September 1968 - Page 4 Clem finally Quits
110. 8 Days, 28 Mar 2017 - Foundations singer Clem Curtis dies
111. The Foundations, Baby Now That I've Found You CD Sequel Records – NEECD 300 Notes by Roger Dopson
112. New Musical Express, No. 1147 Week ending 4 January 1969 - Page 3 HOW FOUNDATIONS ESCAPED THE ONE HIT WONDER TRAP
113. Gripsweat - Joe E Young & the Tonics 'Soulbuster!' 1968 Toast LP
114. Time and Date - Calendar for Year 1968 (United Kingdom)
115. Melody Maker, October 5, 1968 - JOEY REPLACES CURTIS
116. Melody Maker, October 12, 1968 - Page 5 FOUNDATION SINGLE
117. Melody Maker, October 12, 1968 - Page 17 POP TODAY AND TOMORROW, ENTERTAINMENT HAS BECOME A DIRTY WORD, Talent - bob dawbarn
118. Disc and Music Echo, 30 November 1968 - Page 4 Live, Foundations
119. Disc and Music Echo, 5 July 1969 - Page 14 DISC SPECIAL, Colin Young - longs to sing ballads!
120. Disc and Music Echo, 30 November 1968 - Page 3 DISC TOP 30
121. Official Singles Chart - Build Me Up Buttercup by Foundations
122. Billboard, 4 January 1969 - Page 50 Billboard HOT 100 FOR WEEK ENDING 4 JANUARY 1969, THIS WEEK 84, 1 Wk. ago _, 2 Wks. ago _, 3 Wks. ago _, Weeks on chart 1
123. MusicVF.com - The Foundations Top Songs, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography, 1968, 4. 11/1968 ① Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations
124. Billboard, 22 February 1969 - Page 67 Billboard Hot 100 for Week Ending 22 February 1969, THIS WEEK 3, 1 Wk. Ago 4, 2 Wks. Ago 5, 3 Wks. Ago 10, Weeks On Chart 8
125. Billboard, 15 March 1969 - Page 68 Billboard Hot 100 for Week Ending 15 March 1969, THIS WEEK 4, 1 Wk. Ago 3, 2 Wks. Ago 3, 3 Wks. Ago 3, Weeks On Chart 11
126. Melody Maker, 1 March 1969 - Page 3 Gold Disc for Foundations
127. Second hand Songs - SONG, In the Bad, Bad Old Days (Before You Loved Me)
128. Melody Maker, February 22, 1969 - Page 3 FOUNDATIONS TO PLAY SONG FESTIVAL IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA
129. Melody Maker, 1 March 1969 - Page 10 Chris Welch POP SINGLES
130. Billboard, 5 April 1969 - Page 66 BILLBOARD HOT 100 FOR WEEK ENDING 5 APRIL 1969, THIS WEEK 77, 1 Wk. ago _, 2 Wks. ago _, 3 Wks. ago _, Weeks on chart 1
131. MusicVF.com - The Foundations Top Songs, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography, 1969, 5. 03/1969 ③ In the Bad Bad Old Days by The Foundations
132. RPM Weekly, Volume 11 No. 10 Week of 5 May 1969 - Page 5 RPM 100 23 25 28 IN THE BAD BAD OLD DAYS
133. RPM Weekly, Volume 11 No. 10 Week of 12 May 1969 - RPM 100
134. Melody marker, February 22, 1969 - Page 3, FOUNDATIONS TO PLAY SONG FESTIVAL IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA
135. Melody Maker, 29 March 1969 - Page 2 Melody Maker POP 30
136. Melody Maker, 29 March 1969 - page 16, Foundations aren't going to desert the British Public
137. Melody Maker, 29 March 1969 - Page 3 MILLIONAIRE ASKS FOR FOUNDATIONS AT 21st PARTY
138. Billboard, 26 April 1969 - FROM THE FOUNDATIONS to the Skies By ROD HARROD, Band to Cut in Detroit
139. Billboard – Google Books. 26 April 1969. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
140. New Musical Express, 19 April 1969 - Page 7 Foundations have never been stronger
141. New Musical express, 17 May 1969 - Page 11 FOUNDATIONS CLEAN UP IN AMERICA TO THE TUNE OF £100,000, Difficult
142. New Musical Express, No. 1163 Week Ending 26 April 1969 - Page 9 FOUNDATIONS DEPUTISE FOR TEMPTATIONS AT THE COPA
143. New Musical express, 17 May 1969 - Page 11 FOUNDATIONS CLEAN UP IN AMERICA TO THE TUNE OF £100,000, Bugged
144. Cash Box, May 3, 1969 - Page 26 Insights & Sounds, NEW YORK
145. Cash Box, May 14, 1969 - Page 36 Insights & Sounds, NEW YORK
146. New Musical express, 17 May 1969 - Page 11 FOUNDATIONS CLEAN UP IN AMERICA TO THE TUNE OF £100,000, Too close
147. New Musical express, 17 May 1969 - Page 11 FOUNDATIONS CLEAN UP IN AMERICA TO THE TUNE OF £100,000, Cowboys
148. Melody Maker, June 7, 1969 - Page 3 FOUNDATIONS IN ROW WITH PYE RECORDS
149. Cash Box, June 21, 1969 - Page 49 International News Report, Foundations New Pye Arrangement Calls For Indie Recording Dates
150. Disc and Music Echo, July 5, 1969 - Page 15 Class International
151. Billboard, 5 July 1969 - Page 74 International News Reports, From The Music Capitals of the World
152. Record Mirror, No. 438 Week ending 2 August 1969 - Page 12 'Now it's called funk!', Tony Gomez talks to Ian Middleton
153. Billboard, 26 April 1969 - Page 60 250,000 Advance On Unmade Album* Continued from page 41
154. Billboard, 26 April 1969 - Page 44
155. Disc and Music Echo, 5 July 1969 - Page 12 Digging the Foundations, Digging their new album, track by track
156. Discogs - The Foundations – Digging The Foundations
157. Disc and Music Echo, 5 July 1969 – Page 12 Digging the Foundations, Digging their new album, track by track
158. Wayback Machine – The Stars and Stripes, Wednesday, January 12, 1972,
     Page 10 Left Army Awhile to Tour With 'Hair', Soulful Supply Sgt. Cuts Discs By Rich Kraham
159. Amazon – Mac Kissoon "Souled Out" (back cover) DECCA DL 5718
160. Record Mirror, No. 413 February 8th, 1969 - Page 10 NAMES & FACES PETER JONES
161. Who Sampled - You Got Me So I Don't Know by Pickettywitch
162. Record Mirror, 21 March 1970 - Page 11 Face Face Face Face Face Face Face
163. Time and Date - Calendar for Year 1969 (United Kingdom)
164. Melody Maker, 26 July 1969 - Page 4 Guitar stolen
165. Melody Maker, No. 1178 Week ending 9 August 1969 - Page 8 Foundations are planning rock-musical pantomime
166. Melody Maker, No. 1178 Week ending 9 August 1969 - Page 8 BUT ARE DROPPING BRITISH TOUR -After Berry ban and Creedence refusal
167. Record World, 16 August 1969 - Page 60 record world, Most Promising Male Vocal Group
168. Record World, 16 August 1969 - Page 60 record world, Top Record
169. Disc and Music Echo, AUGUST 9, 1969 - Page 19 PENNY VALENTINE, Foundations get too much freedom !
170. Billboard, 13 September 1969 - Page 74 SPECIAL MERIT SPOTLIGHT
171. Cash Box, 13 September 1969 - Page 30 Cash Box Record Reviews, Picks of the Week
172. Record Mirror, September 13, 1969 - Page 11 NATIONAL TOP FIFTY, 46, _, (1)
173. Billboard, 27 September 1969 - Page 74 Canadian News Report, From The Music Capitals of the World, TORONTO
174. Billboard, 27 September 1969 - Page 80 Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD, BRITAIN, This Week 50, Last Week 46
175. Billboard, 4 October 1969 - Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD, BRITAIN, This Week 46, Last Week 50
176. Billboard, 4 October 1969 - Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD, MALAYSIA, This Week 8, Last Week 11
177. Billboard, 25 October 1969 - Page 89 Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD, MALAYSIA, This Week 4, Last Week 6
178. Billboard, 1 November 1969 - Page 83 Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD, MALAYSIA, This Week 10, Last Week 4
179. Cash Box, 18 October 1969 - Page 134 Cash Box Canada
180. Cash Box, 4 July 1970 - Page 26 Part II — International Section, BEST SELLING SINGLES FROM PYE
181. New Musical Express, October 18, 1969 - Page 12 UNDER A£
182. Last Dodo - The Foundations 1970 LP: MALS 1157
183. The Foundations, Baby Now That I've Found You CD Sequel Records – NEECD 300 Notes by Roger Dopson
184. Popsike - Foundations The Foundations Marble Arch Records MAL1157 Mono Vinyl LP Album
185. Popsike - Foundations Rocking The Foundations UK vinyl LP album record NPL18227 PYE 1968
186. The Foundations channel, Jan 4, 2023 - The Foundations - Baby Now That I've Found You (Stereo) (Colin Young Version) (Official Audio)
187. The Foundations channel, Dec 22, 2022 - The Foundations - Baby Now That I've Found You (Mono) (Official Audio)
188. The Foundations channel, Jan 4, 2023 - The Foundations - Tomorrow (Alternate Version) (Official Audio)
189. The Foundations Channel, Jul 21, 2021 - Tomorrow (Live)
190. Amazon - The Foundations - Rocking The Foundations - Pye Records - NSPL 18227 NM/NM LP
191. "Bernie Living info (The Musicians' Olympus)". 26 October 2009. Archived from the original on 26 October 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
192. "A TRIBUTE TO JAMES JAMERSON by Pete Macbeth". Philbrodieband.com. 2 February 1943. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
193. Disc and Music Echo, 20 June 1970 - Page 4 BUZZ HEAVY GOSSIP by Caroline Boucher and Roy Shipston, A PROMISING new group you'll be hearing soon is Bubastis
194. New Musical Express, no. 1184 Week ending September 20, 1969 - Page 6 DONOVAN PENS NEW DISC FOR THE FOUNDATIONS
195. New Musical Express, no. 1185 Week ending September 27, 1969 - Page 8
196. Seventies Sevens - TREND
197. 45Cat - Record Details, Artist: The Foundations, Baby, I Couldn't See
198. Top 40 - TIPPARADE-LIJST VAN WEEK 49, 1969, BABY, I COULDN'T SEE, the foundations 13 8 3 WEKEN
199. Top 40 - TIPPARADE-LIJST VAN WEEK 50, 1969, BABY, I COULDN'T SEE, the foundations 8 16 4 WEKEN
200. Blues.Gr, Jan 8, 2022 - Q&A with veteran UK bass guitarist, Steve Bingham - Rock n Roll has played a huge part in his life and career by Michael Limnios Blues Network
201. Tony Brainsby Publicity Ltd (circa) December 1969 (1st ed.). UK: Tony Brainsby. 1969. p. 1.
202. Billboard, 3 January 1970 - Page 49 Class Sues Foundations
203. 1970 Record Releases by Graham Appleyard, 1 April 2015 - 1970 UK Record Releases by Date, 27 February 1970
204. Record Mirror, 21 March 1970 - Page 14 The frustrations
205. Beat Instrumental, May 1970 - Page 16
206. 2NUR FM103.7, 20 August 2023 - Vinyl Vibes by Jack Hodgins, Steve Bingham - Former Bass Player of The Foundations (20:55 - 28:25)
207. Top of the Pops archive - The Foundations, Artist Appearances
208. Disc and Music Echo, September 5, 1970 - Page 2 Look in
209. New Musical Express, 10 October 1970 - Page 8 Foundations lose their lead singer
210. Disc and Music Echo, 4 March 1972 - Page 10 A SOLID FOUNDATION
211. "Band of Joy | Birmingham Music Archive". Birminghammusicarchive.co.uk. 30 March 2010. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
212. happening45 channel - Colin Young - Anytime At All
213. Austrian Charts - COLIN YOUNG - ANYTIME AT ALL
214. Billboard, 5 June 1971 - Page 39 TOP 60 POP SPOTLIGHT, Spotlights to reach the top 60 of the HOT 100 Chart
215. "F r e e U K – FreeUK Broadband". Jbpco.freeuk.com. Archived from the original on 2 September 2000. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
216. 45Cat - The Foundations - Discography, UK, The Foundations, Stoney Ground
217. Popsike - Foundations - Stoney Ground / I'll Give You Love - MCA Demo MKS 5075 - Northern
218. hitparade.ch - Mighty Dodos – Honey (I Need Your Love)
219. The Strange Brew - The Warren Davis Monday Band – part 3 By Nick Warburton, The Warren Davis Monday Band – last line up late 1968. Left to right: Stuart Cowell, Jim Toomey, Warren Davis (front), Tom Tierney and Con Byrne. Photo: Paul Brett
220. Garage Hangover, February 11, 2018 - THE WARREN DAVIS MONDAY BAND - NICK WARBURTON
221. Cash Box, 29 January 1972 - Page 56 JUKEBOX PROGRAMMING GUIDE, Pop
222. Billboard, 19 February 1972 - Page 50 Bubbling Under The HOT 100
223. Billboard, 26 February 1972 - Page 33 Bubbling Under The HOT 100, 113
224. MusicVF.com - The Foundations Top Songs, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography, 1972, 8. 02/1972 Stoney Ground by The Foundations
225. Music Metason - ArtistInfo, Colin Young's Development, In The Beginning
226. Popsike - IN THE BEGINNING COLIN YOUNG'S DEVELOPMENT PROG.RARISS.
227. Music Week, 26 March 1977 - Page 32 needletime Radio Tees, HIT PICKS
228. Popsike - The Foundations Closer to Loving You / Change My Life Psycho rare Soul Mint-
229. "John Springate". Alwynwturner.com. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
230. "Home". Terrellissacs.net. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
231. White Plains Chronicles, 1 May 2018 - Brian Johnston The Foundations (1973)
232. 45Cat - The Foundations - Discography, Australia, A: Build Me Up Buttercup
233. THE OFFICIAL MIKE D’ABO WEBSITE - The Foundations

     (Note: in due course content will be moved to the new re-branded site)

234. Shazam - Something for My Baby The New Foundations
235. Music Week, January 31, 1976 - Page 7 Internationally yours PYE RECORDS

     (*Note: SOMETHING ABOUT MY BABY is incorrect. Title should be "Something For My Baby")

236. Cash Box, January 25, 1975 - cash box / singles reviews, newcomer picks
237. Billboard, January 25, 1975 - Page 58 Billboard's Top Single Picks, Soul, recommended
238. Digital Spy, 28 March 2017 - 'Baby Now That I've Found You' singer Clem Curtis of The Foundations dies at 76 By Justin Harp
239. Eurovisionworld - A Song for Europe 1977: The Foundations - "Where were you when I needed your love"
240. Inlay notes to Baby Now That I've Found You by Roger Dopson CD, Sequel Records NEECD 300
241. The Sydney Morning Herald, 31 March 2017 - Clem Curtis, original singer with the Foundations
242. 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"
243. "The Foundations Discography – UK". 45cat.com. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
244. Gripsweat - THE FOUNDATIONS Closer To Loving You 1978 UK demo/DJ copy, PSYCHO P2603 N/MINT
245. Popsike - NORTHERN SOUL-THE FOUNDATIONS- CHANGE MY-
246. Popsike - Rare UK Northern Soul/Modern-The Foundations-Hear it
247. Popsike - THE FOUNDATIONS"CHANGE MY LIFE"RARE SOUL ORIG. PSYCHO
248. Discogs - Various – Fab-U-Lus Northern Soul
249. Music Week, 1 September 1984 - Page 40 ILA AIRPLAY GUIDE, (Independent Airplay Action in UK) TOP 12
250. Music Week, 29 September 1984 - ILA AIRPLAY GUIDE, (Independent Airplay Action in UK) TOP 10 . . .
251. Discogs - The Foundations – Build Me Up Buttercup, Label: Pilz – 44 8235-2, Released: 1993
252. Discogs - The Foundations – Greatest Hits, Label: Double Play – GRF176, Released: 1996
253. "THE FOUNDATIONS featuring Alan Warner". Thefoundationsband.com. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
254. Primitive Man Soundz, 6 Feb 2022 - ALAN WARNER - THE FOUNDATIONS/PLUTO
255. Encyclopedie Du Hard Rock Des Seventies By Denis Protat, ( 2004), ISBN   2-86227-411-9 - Page 110 PLUTO
256. Spirit of Metal - Rag a Bone Joe - Stealing My Thunder
257. 45Cat - Pluto (Rock) - Discography, UK
258. Val Wilmer (21 September 2001). "Eric Allandale: Powerful trombone master of jazz and pop". The Guardian . Retrieved 26 April 2009.
259. James Hamilton's Disco Page - A full list of all Record Mirror UK Disco Chart entries, 1975-1979, Clem Curtis Unchained Melody (RCA) — 25 August 1979: 75, 3
260. Top Charts - Stuck in a Wind Up (feat. Clem Curtis)
261. Record Business , Volune Two / No. 4 April 9, 1979 - Page 7 You'll never find a B-side on a Flashback., 6. Baby Now That I've Found You/Build Me Up Buttercup- Foundations (FB 6)
262. "HAWK vs HAWK, Frances Taylor meets RAM, TAM & JO". BM Black Music & Jazz Review. 3 (12). R.W. Daniell: 17. April 1981.
263. Music Week, November 10, 1979 - Page 47 DISCS, RAM & TAM New Single "WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW" in the reggae charts at no. 32
264. Obits Jamaica - In loving memory of Raymond Morrison
265. "Foundations singer Clem Curtis dies aged 76". BBC News. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
266. Disc and Music Echo, November 4, 1967 - Page 11 Eight faces that laid the FOUNDATIONS of a hit! ★ Mike Elliott
267. Apple Podcasts, The Strange Brew - Alan Warner – The Foundations, Alan Warner, guitarist for The Foundations, talks about the group’s history including the hits ‘Baby Now That I - 34:28
268. Clear Spot - London Calling LCCD0005136 - 2023 - FOUNDATIONS - LIVE ON AIR
269. Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 112. ISBN   0-85112-250-7.
270. "Who'd be a state school teacher? – Education News – Education" . The Independent . 28 December 1995. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
271. "Foundations, The – My Little Chickadee (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 10 September 1969. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
272. New Musical Express (1st ed.). UK. 28 December 1968.^{[ full citation needed ]}
273. Billboard – Google Books. 26 April 1969. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
274. The Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music, Third Edition, Compiled and Edited By Colin Larkin, (2002) ISBN   1-85227-933-8 - Page 220 FOUNDATIONS
275. Popsike - DISCOGRAPHY, The Foundations, Golden Hour of the Foundations Greatest Hits
276. "The Foundations - Awards : AllMusic". AllMusic . 30 November 2012. Archived from the original on 30 November 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
277. "Songs from the Year 1967". Tsort.info. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
278. "The Foundations – Born To Live, Born To Die". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
279. "Flavour of New Zealand : NZ Listener chart summary". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
280. "Foundations - Build Me Up Buttercup". bpi.co.uk. Retrieved 15 June 2024.

External links

• Clem Curtis & The Foundations web site
• The Foundations discography at Discogs
• Clem Curtis website
• Interview with Clem Curtis
• 2NURFM103.7, 23 August 2023 - Vinyl Vibes by Jack Hodgins - Alan Warner - Original guitarist of the Foundations (interview)
• 2NURFM103.7, 20 August 2023 - Vinyl Vibes by Jack Hodgins, Steve Bingham - Former bassist of The Foundations (interview)