David Clayton-Thomas
David Clayton-Thomas | |
|---|---|
Clayton-Thomas performing at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida | |
| Background information | |
| Born | David Henry Thomsett 13 September 1941 Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, England |
| Genres | R&B, rock, funk, pop, jazz |
| Occupations | Singer, musician, songwriter, record producer |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | Early 1960s–present |
| Website | davidclaytonthomas |
David Clayton-Thomas (born David Henry Thomsett, 13 September 1941) is a Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the American band Blood, Sweat & Tears.
Clayton-Thomas began his music career in the early 1960s, working the clubs on Toronto's Yonge Street, where he discovered his love of singing and playing the blues. Before moving to New York City in 1967, Clayton-Thomas fronted a couple of local bands, first The Shays and then The Bossmen, one of the earliest rock bands with significant jazz influences. His main success came only a few difficult years later when he joined Blood, Sweat & Tears, with whom he won a Grammy award.
Clayton-Thomas has been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and in 2007 his jazz/rock composition "Spinning Wheel" was enshrined in the Canadian Songwriter's Hall of Fame. In 2010, Clayton-Thomas received his star on Canada's Walk of Fame.