<back - THE CLOVERS - Without doubt, the most overlooked performers by Rock n' Roll historians are The Clovers. Bill Lucas and friends (vocalists John 'Buddy' Bailey, Matthew McQuater, Harold Winley, plus guitarist Bill Harris) would alter the entire R&B landscape, even laying the groundwork for the coming Soul explosion--a decade in advance. They, along with Ruth Brown, proved crucial in keeping the fledgling Atlantic Records afloat. Their style anticipated profound changes in R&B, and innumerable vocal groups are indebted to their influence. Circa 1948, The Clovers as the hottest act in Washington DC, with high recommendation by Atlantic scout 'Waxie Maxie' Silverman.

Ahmet Ertegun signed The Clovers up in 1951, and decided to give them a Blues-based sound, more in tune with what the label was trying to accomplish. The Clovers meshed perfectly with this makeover and catapulted from the starting gate; their debut Don’t You Know I Love You (written by A. Nugetre aka Ahmet Ertegun) became a huge seller. The Clovers' maiden voyage moved an unheard of 300,000 units, but the follow-up 'Fool Fool Fool' surpassed it, selling 600,000 units. A 4-year run of hits ensued, including the following classics: Down In The Alley, Your Cash Ain’t Nothing But Trash, Lovey Dovey, One Mint Julep, Middle Of The Night, Miss Fannie, Crawlin’, Wonder Where My Baby’s Gone, Ting-A-Ling, to mention a few. A non-stop touring schedule, headlining with Rosco Gordon, Little Richard, Ruth Brown, and many others. At their 1954 peak, The Clovers were recognized as a Top 10 moneymaker by Billboard—despite never crossing over into the Pop market. Sly lyrics, inventive harmonies, access to fantastic tunesmiths like Rudy Toombs, Jesse Stone, and Ahmet Ertegun. By 1956, The Clovers’ hit-making days were winding down, but several gems were yet to unfold, such as Devil Or Angel--a jewel of a ballad that hit #3 R&B in Jan ’56 (hit for Bobby Vee). Another Bobby, by name of Vinton, did another gorgeous ballad done in 1954 by The Clovers, riding 'Blue Velvet' to number 1 in 1962. The Clovers first taste of the true pop market was with 'Love Love Love', which broke into the Top 40. By 1958, Atlantic began focusing in a demonstrably Pop direction, emphasizing the 'new' Drifters and Bobby Darin, while relegating The Clovers to second fiddle status. Still, The Clovers would experience their biggest success when Leiber & Stoller’s 'Love Potion #9', released on the United Artists label, exploded into the Top 20 pop charts in 1959, and got covered by The Searchers, providing one of the first major hits of the 1964 British invasion. The very first artistic mention on The Embers’ tribute song 'I Love Beach Music' is accorded The Clovers. It stands to reason: the songs of The Clovers, with their wonderful arrangements, enticing lyrics, and Blues-based harmonies, are synonymous with sun, surf, romantic interludes, and swaying in the ocean breeze to the exotic rhythms of the shag. -Gary Tate  MP3- Nip Sip