Clem Curtis & the Foundations were an English soul, R&B recording and performing act who were fronted by Clem Curtis. They were formed some years after the Foundations broke up. They were entrants in the 1977 UK Eurovision contest. They also had a chart hit with "On Broadway" in 1980. One of their early members would go on to be a member of the Glitter Band. One would later join the band Hot Chocolate and another would go on to be a member of the funk band Heatwave. At times, the group would alternate between the names Clem Curtis & the Foundations, and the Foundations.
Background Clem Curtis left the Foundations in 1968 and was replaced by Colin Young.Melody Maker, October 5, 1968 - JOEY REPLACES CURTIS He then embarked on a solo career. He later returned to the UK and formed his version of The Foundations.Inlay notes to Baby Now That I've Found You by Roger Dopson CD, Sequel Records NEECD 300
An early version of the group included John Springate who played with Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon.Pete Phipps - The Glitter Band, How It Started:A Breath of Fresh Air - Transcript: Transcript Glam Rock Pioneer: John Springate And The Unique Sound Of The Glitter Band, 3:23 His brother Bill Springate was also a member.Mix Cloud - ROCKIN COUNTRY - WALTER SCOTT JAMES - FEAT - BILL SPRINGATEStreetsville Legion - Bill Springate former member of The Foundations and now a One Man BandBandmix - Bill Springate, About
Along with Clem Curtis, the later mid seventies line up consisted of David Christopher George, Valentine Pascal, John Lumley-Saville, and Derek Lewis.Getty Images - English Pop Group Foundations arrived in Sydney to start a month long tour of Australia Derek was actually Clem Curtis' brother.The Sydney Morning Herald, 31 March 2017 - Clem Curtis, original singer with the Foundations
Later musicians include guitarist Emmet North Jr. who was a member in the 1980s. He was formerly with Barry White's group, The Love Unlimited Orchestra,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 Bassist Nixon Rosembert was a member too.New Wolsey Theatre - REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL, Cast & Creatives
Career 1970s to 1980s Along with Anita Harris, Ted Rogers and Ryan and Ronnie, the Karliffs, and Max Boyce, Clem Curtis and the Foundations were appearing at Gwyn Hall in Neath in December, 1972.The Stage, Thursday 14 December 1972 - SEASONAL SNIPPETS FROM WALES--DEREK WAYLAND
John Springate and his brother had just come back from a long period having worked in Canada and they joined Clem Curtis and the Foundations. He also contributed vocals. But with Clem Curtis singing "Baby..." and Springate singing "Da da da da", he felt that it wasn't a great career move and decided to leave. He answered ads in Melody Maker. One of the ads he followed up would lead to the Glitter Band.Sandy Kaye Presents - A Breath of Fresh Air channel, Jun 22, 2023 - A conversation with glam rock pioneer - The Glitter Band's John Springate, 0:35 In 1973, he had joined the Glitter Band, replacing bassist Ray Moxley.Toppermost, 6 Nov 2017 - The Glitterband by Joyce Gibson
An article about Brian Johnston of the White Plains on the White Plains Chronicles website has information provided by James Payne that gives a partial line-up of a 1973 version of Clem Curtis' Foundations. Listed were Clem Curtis on vocals, Eric Allandale on trombone, Brian Johnston on keyboards and Jim Payne on drums.White Plains Chronicles, 1 May 2018 - Brian Johnston The Foundations (1973) Eric, like Clem Curtis, was an original Foundations member.Disc and Music Echo, November 4, 1977 - Page 11 Eight faces that laid the FOUNDATIONS of a hit!
On February 16, 1974, Clem Curtis & the Foundations played at the California Ballroom.California Ballroom - 1974
The group went to Australia for a month-long tour in 1975. The members at the time were Clem Curtis, David Christopher George, Valentine Pascal, Roy Carter, Derek Lewis and John Lumley Saville.Getty Images - English Pop Group Foundations arrived in Sydney to start a month long tour of Australia The tour was marred by what was said to be a trumped up assault charge. Curtis was taken off of a jet in handcuffs by New South Wales Police officers and was locked in a police cell.The Sydney Morning Herald, March 31, 2017 - Clem Curtis, original singer with the Foundations
The Foundations with Clem Curtis along with Junior Walker & the All Stars, KC & the Sunshine Band and Mac & Katie Kissoon were the artists listed in the July 19, 1975, issue of Sounds to appear at the soul festival held at Wrexham Football Club's grounds on August 3.Sounds, July 9, 1975 - Page 3 News Desk Mike Flood Page, Junior Walker for Wrexham
Some time in 1975, Derek Lewis had joined Hot Chocolate.Music Meter - Hot Chocolate, Leden He would be pictured with the band in a photo in Music Week in 1977.Music Week, July 23, 1977 - Page 6 CELEBRATING THE number one success recently of Hot Chocolate's So You Win Again, EMI's licensed label division held a party for the band
At some stage in the mid-1970s while Clem Curtis and his "Foundations" group were on the road, another "Foundations" group led by Colin Young was also on the road. Both groups seemed to be playing the same kind of material. This eventually led to court action that resulted in Clem 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 Colin Young & the New Foundations; this is not to be confused with the American New Foundations, who released the song, "Darling You're All I Need" in 1975.Cash Box, January 25, 1975 - [ Page 21 cash box / singles reviews, newcomer picks, NEW FOUNDATIONS (Atlantic 45-3225)]Billboard, January 25, 1975 - Page 58 Billboard's Top Single Picks, Soul, recommended, NEW FOUNDATIONS - Darling (You're All I Need) Colin Young & Co. would release a single "Something for My Baby" in early 1976 Music Week, January 31, 1976 - Page 7 Internationally yours PYE RECORDS, NEW FOUNDATIONS - SOMETHING ABOUT MY BABY 7N 45533 As the New Foundations, Clem Curtis' group recorded "Make a Wish" / "Amanda" which was released on Riverdale RR 100 in 1976, and credited to Clem Curtis & the Foundations Ltd. "Amanda" was composed by Valentine Pascal, Roy Carter and Georges Delanbanque.Roots Vinyl Guide - Clem Curtis & The Foundations.Soul.Mint.7".Make A Wish.45rpm.1976.Vinyl.Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third Series Volume 30, Part 5, Number 2, Section 2, MusicCurrent and Renewal Register, July–December 1976 ISSN 0041-7866 - Page 2326 EU732037 Amanda. 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".Popsike - DISCOGRAPHYRecord Mirror, May 29, 1976 - Page 21 Singles THE FOUNDATIONS: Make A Wish' (Riverdale RR 100)
By December 18, 1976, the group's single, "Sweet Happiness" backed with "Lady Luck" had been released on Riverdale RR 105.Roots Vinyl Guide - ♫ Northern Soul - CLEM CURTIS & FOUNDATIONS - SWEET HAPPINESS - Hear ♫, DescriptionNew Musical Express, December 18, 1976 - Page 39 LINDA LEWIS "WINTER WONDERLAND" Arista 82 CLEM CURTIS & THE FOUNDATIONS "SWEET HAPPINESS" Riverdale RR 105 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.Record Mirror, January 8, 1977 - Page 9 Singles reviewed by BARRY CAIN
Eurovision entry with "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love" The twelve groups whose songs were to be performed at the New London Theatre on March 9 for Britain's Eurovision entry were listed in the January 15, 1977, issue of Record World, which included the Foundations.Record World, January 15, 1977 - Page 42 RECORD WORLD INTERNATIONAL, LONDON The March 10, 1977, issue of The Stage reported that Clem Curtis & the Foundations had been reunited with Foundations original producer John Macleod who had co-written a song with Dave Myers for the Song for Europe contest.The Stage, Thursday 10 March 1977 - Page 10 CLEM CURTIS AND THE FOUNDATIONS
The group now billing themselves as the Foundations were now competing in the Eurovision 1977 song contest with "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love", a Dave Meyers and John Macleod composition.Digital Spy, 28 March 2017 - 'Baby Now That I've Found You' singer Clem Curtis of The Foundations dies at 76 By Justin HarpEurovisionworld - A Song for Europe 1977: The Foundations - "Where were you when I needed your love" The line-up was Leroy Carter, John Savile, Valentine Pascal, Clem Curtis, and Georges Delanbanque.Wayback Machine - SONGSFOREUROPE.COM - A Song For Europe 1976/1977, A Song For Europe 1977, Date: Wednesday 9th March, 1977 (Scheduled at 19:30), Title Where Were You When I Needed Your Love They were favorites to win, but due to a strike by electricians, they were not televised. They ended up placing third with "What Do You Say To Love" by Mary Mason in second place and "Rock Bottom" by Lynsey de Paul as the winner.Eurovision World - A Song for Europe 1977: The Foundations - "Where were you when I needed your love"Retro 77 - SECOND CHANCE RETRO 1977 - GUEST JURY HITS 1977, RETRO 77 OPTIONS (ESC National Finals) : 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".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" 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".Record Mirror, March 26, 1977 - Page 12 Singles reviewed by ROSALIND RUSSELL, FOUNDATIONS: 'Where Were You When I Needed Your Love' (Summit SU 100) 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.Music Week, 26 March 1977 - Page 32 needletime Radio Tees, HIT PICKS
Further activities Roy Carter left the band. And in 1977, he had joined Heatwave.Just Like a Bozz, July 30, 2013 - Interview with Roy Carter (Heatwave) He replaced Heatwave member Jesse White, who was murdered.Black History Month, Saturday 4 December 2021 - Heatwave
The group covered the Sonny Casella composition, "Closer to Loving You" which was previously recorded by Dooley Silverspoon.Record Mirror, May 13, 1978 - Page 10 Singles Reviewed by ROSALIND RUSSELL, THE FOUNDATIONS: 'Closer To Loving You' (Psycho P 2603)James Hamilton's Disco Page, September 10, 1977 - DOOLEY SILVERSPOON: ‘Closer To Loving You’ (Seville SEV 1025/12)Music Week, August 20, 1977 - Page 32 RELEASES, LISTINGS, C Theirs was released on Psycho P P2603. It was reviewed by Rosalind Russell in the May 13, 1978, issue of Record Mirror. She referred to the disco record as mediocre. The B side of the single was the Bill Connor and Simon Cohen composition, "Change My Life".Gripsweat - THE FOUNDATIONS Closer To Loving You 1978 UK demo/DJ copy, PSYCHO P2603 N/MINTCelebri - The Foundations, Closer To Loving You / Change My Life Over the years, the song has gained popularity among Northern soul fans.Popsike - NORTHERN SOUL-THE FOUNDATIONS- CHANGE MY-Popsike - Rare UK Northern Soul/Modern-The Foundations-Hear itPopsike - THE FOUNDATIONS"CHANGE MY LIFE"RARE SOUL ORIG. PSYCHO It appears on the Fab-U-Lus Northern Soul 10-inch LP album compilation.Discogs - Various – Fab-U-Lus Northern Soul
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.Music Week, September 27, 1980 - Page 13 TALENT, News in brief ...