David Clayton-Thomas

David Clayton-Thomas (born September 13, 1941 in London (UK)) is a musician and singer.

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September 13 - 1941 - London - UK

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Born David Henry Thomsett, he is the son of a decorated Canadian soldier of World War II who met his piano-playing mother when she came to entertain the troops at a London hospital. When the war ended, the family moved to Willowdale, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto.

Related Topics:
Canadian - World War II - Willowdale, Ontario - Toronto

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Growing up, he was taught music by his mother but had difficulties in the dysfunctional family and left home in his early teens. He idolized the music of John Lee Hooker and began playing guitar and singing, and by the time he was twenty-one had his own band, "The Shays."

Related Topics:
Dysfunctional family - John Lee Hooker - Guitar

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Under the stage name, David Clayton-Thomas, he is best known as a vocalist with the band Blood, Sweat & Tears, whose first album with him as lead singer in 1969 produced three gold singles and three Grammy Awards including the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. The album included his own composition "Spinning Wheel" which became a big single hit on both sides of the Atlantic.

Related Topics:
Stage name - Blood, Sweat & Tears - Single - Grammy Award - Grammy Award for Album of the Year

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In 2002, the album was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. Clayton-Thomas left the band twice, but he was still touring with a reconstituted BS&T through 2004.

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David Clayton-Thomas was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1996.

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He lived in New York City for more than thirty years but in 2004 returned home to Toronto.

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