RIP Clem Curtis

Apr 7, 2017 | Obituaries

Foundations singer Clem Curtis has died aged 76…

The original lead singer of the British band The Foundations, Clem was the lead on the band’s 1967 No.1 hit Baby, Now That I’ve Found You.

The song is claimed to be the first chart-topper by a British multi-racial band. Clem lived in Olney, Buckinghamshire.

He left the band before it scored a worldwide hit with Build Me Up Buttercup but occasionally sang in various line-ups. He is the lead voice on the hits Baby Now That I’ve Found You, Back on My Feet Again, and Any Old Time (You’re Lonely and Sad). During his solo career in the 1970s, he appeared in the West End in musicals.

The Foundations were formed in January 1967 with Clem as lead singer. After having found success with the group, two hit singles, and releasing two albums, problems with their songwriter-producer Tony Macaulay as well as within the group, Curtis left.

Mike Pender said ” I felt sorry to learn Clem Curtis had passed away, and I remember him well; how could I forget! He was a lovely guy as were Reg, Brian, and Tony, the other members of our rock band, ‘The Corporation’! I remember it being one of the best times of my life! We were known as ‘The Travelling Wrinklies’ and we were ready for a new challenge with our recording of ‘Ain’t Nothing But A House Party’ but, as we know, it never happened!

Still, life goes on and I’ll always remember the five of us celebrating at Clem’s wine bar! He was that confident of success and what it would bring! The champagne never stopped flowing until the early hours! It must have cost him a fortune! I always promised myself that the next time we should meet, I would buy him a bottle of champagne, but sadly our paths never crossed again, so I hope we meet again in another life.

Goodnight Clem, sleep well.

Pin It on Pinterest