Clem Curtis & The Foundations

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Clem Curtis & The Foundations
OriginEngland
GenresSoul, r&b, pop
LabelsRiverdale Records, IDM Records, Opium Records, Psycho, RCA Victor, Summit
Spinoff ofThe Foundations
Past membersClem Curtis, Roy Carter, Derek Lewis, Emmett North Jr., Valentine Pascal, John Lumley-Savile, John Springate


Clem Curtis & The Foundations were an English soul and 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 members would later join band Hot Chocolate and another would join the soul funk band Heatwave. The group would sometimes alternate between the names, Clem Curtis & the Foundations and The Foundations.

Background[edit]

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 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-Savile. and Derek Lewis.[8] Derek was actually Clem Curtis' brother.[9]

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

Career[edit]

1970s to 1980s[edit]

On February 16, 1974, Clem Curtis & The Foundations played at the California Ballroom.[12]

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 Savile.[13] The tour was marred by what was said to be a trumped up assault charge which resulted in Curtis being taken off of ajet in handcuffs by the New South Wales police and being locked in a police cell.[14]

The group recorded "Make a Wish" / "Amanda" which was released on Riverdale RR 100 in 1976. 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.[15][16]

By December 18, 1976, the group's single, "Sweet Happiness" backed with "Lady Luck" had been released on Riverdale RR 105.[17][18] 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.[19]

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

The group now billing themselves as The Foundations were competitors in the Eurovision 1977 song contest with "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love", a Dave Meyers and John Macleod composition.[20][21] They were favorites to win, but due to a strike by electricians, they were not televised.[22][23] 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".[24] 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".[25] 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.[26]

Further activities

Roy Carter left the band and in 1977, he had joined Heatwave.[27] He replaced Heatwave member Jesse White who was murdered.[28]

The group recorded "Closer to Loving You" which 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.[29] The B side of the single was "Change My Life".[30] Over the years the B side "Change My Life" gained popularity among Northern soul fans.[31][32][33] It appears on the Fab-U-Lus Northern Soul 10" LP album compilation.[34]

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.[35]

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 at no. 5 on week of September 29.[36][37]

1990s to 2000s[edit]

Curtis kept performing well info 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.[38]

The group had a booking as a headline act at the Norfolk Motorhome Show, Norwich for 21-23rd July 2017.[39]

Death[edit]

Clem Curtis died in March, 2017 from cancer at age 76.[40]

Discography[edit]

Singles
Act Release Catalogue Year Notes
Clem Curtis & The Foundations Ltd "Make a Wish" / "Amanda" Riverdale RR 100 1976
Clem Curtis And The Foundations "Sweet Happiness" / "Lady Luck" Riverdale RR 105 1976
The Foundations "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love" / "Love Me Nice and Easy" Summit SU 100 1977
The Foundations "Closer To Loving You" / "Change My Life" Psycho P2603 2008
Clem Curtis And The Foundations "Broadway" / "Broadway" (instrumental) IDM IDM 69 1984
Clem Curtis And The Foundations "Baby Now That I've Found You" / "Baby Now That I've Found You" (Instrumental) Opium OPIN 001 1987 Released on RCA Victor 104801
in Australia in 1988

References[edit]

  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. ^ California Ballroom - 1974
  13. ^ Getty Images - English Pop Group Foundations arrived in Sydney to start a month long tour of Australia
  14. ^ The Sydney Moring Herald, March 31, 2017 - Clem Curtis, original singer with the Foundations
  15. ^ Popsike - DISCOGRAPHY
  16. ^ Record Mirror, May 29, 1976 - Page 21 Singles THE FOUNDATIONS: Make A Wish' (Riverdale RR 100)
  17. ^ Roots Vinyl Guide - ♫ Northern Soul - CLEM CURTIS & FOUNDATIONS - SWEET HAPPINESS - Hear ♫, Description
  18. ^ New Musical Express, December 18th, 1976 - Page 39 LINDA LEWIS "WINTER WONDERLAND" Arista 82 CLEM CURTIS & THE FOUNDATIONS "SWEET HAPPINESS" Riverdale RR 105
  19. ^ Record Mirror, January 8, 1977 - Page 9 Singles reviewed by BARRY CAIN
  20. ^ Digital Spy, 28 March 2017 - 'Baby Now That I've Found You' singer Clem Curtis of The Foundations dies at 76 By Justin Harp
  21. ^ Eurovisionworld - A Song for Europe 1977: The Foundations - "Where were you when I needed your love"
  22. ^ Inlay notes to Baby Now That I've Found You by Roger Dopson CD, Sequel Records NEECD 300
  23. ^ The Sydney Morning Herald, 31 March 2017 - Clem Curtis, original singer with the Foundations
  24. ^ 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"
  25. ^ Record Mirror, March 26, 1977 - Page 12 Singles reviewed by ROSALIND RUSSELL, FOUNDATIONS: 'Where Were You When I Needed Your Love' (Summit SU 100)
  26. ^ Music Week, 26 March 1977 - Page 32 needletime Radio Tees, HIT PICKS
  27. ^ Just Like a Bozz, July 30, 2013 - Interview with Roy Carter (Heatwave)
  28. ^ Black History Month, Saturday 4 December 2021 - Heatwave
  29. ^ Record Mirror, MAy 13, 1978 - Page 10 Singles Reviewed by ROSALIND RUSSELL, THE FOUNDATIONS: 'Closer To Loving You' (Psycho P 2603)
  30. ^ Gripsweat - THE FOUNDATIONS Closer To Loving You 1978 UK demo/DJ copy, PSYCHO P2603 N/MINT
  31. ^ Popsike - NORTHERN SOUL-THE FOUNDATIONS- CHANGE MY-
  32. ^ Popsike - Rare UK Northern Soul/Modern-The Foundations-Hear it
  33. ^ Popsike - THE FOUNDATIONS"CHANGE MY LIFE"RARE SOUL ORIG. PSYCHO
  34. ^ Discogs - Various – Fab-U-Lus Northern Soul
  35. ^ Music Week, September 27, 1980 - Page 13 TALENT, News in brief ...
  36. ^ Music Week, 1 September 1984 - Page 40 ILA AIRPLAY GUIDE, (Independent Airplay Action in UK) TOP 12
  37. ^ Music Week, 29 September 1984 - ILA AIRPLAY GUIDE, (Independent Airplay Action in UK) TOP 10 . . .
  38. ^ Peter Viney's Blog, 6 Apr 2014 - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, The Foundations
  39. ^ Out & About, 12 Dec 2016 - Booking for all 2017 shows now live!
  40. ^ The Guardian, Tuesday 28 March, 2017 - Foundations lead singer Clem Curtis dies aged 76

External links[edit]

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