Biography
Born on the tropical island of Trinidad in 1940, Clem Curtis first came to Britain at the age of 15 and with the help of a friend found work as an interior decorator. He later entered the world of boxing, winning all but three of his seventeen fights.
Clem admits that he always had a natural ear for music, a gift he inherited from his mother who had been a popular jazz singer back in Trinidad. By the age of 25 he decided that there must be an easier way to earn a living than being a boxer. Now, after 30 years in the music business he jokes that "I'm not quite so sure at times, but i wouldn't change a thing".
After leaving the boxing profession Clem met up with some musicians in London's Bayswater area, who eventually asked him to become a lead singer in their new band. The group actually opened it's own coffee bar in Bayswarer called the Butterfly, where they would play and entertain the customers.
The big break finally came when Clem and his colleagues met up with Ron Fairway and Barry Class who offered to become their managers. A recording contract with Pye soon followed and the Tony McCauley/John McCloud composition "Baby Now That I've Found You" became the very first release for Clem Curtis and The Foundations. After much initial airplay on the Radio Caroline the record went to the top of the charts in September 1967.
This chart topping success led to numerous radio and TV appearances for The Foundations, together with further hit performers such as Janis Joblin, The Bee Gees, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, The Byrds and 5th Dimension, playing in thirty different US States alone.
Clem Curtis met and became good friends with the late, great, Sammy Davis Jnr. who with the help of some important American contacts, helped persuade Clem to leave the group and move to America in order to try his hand as a solo performer. Clem undertook work on the US club circuit encouraged by the likes of Wilson Pickett and Sam and Dave. In Las Vegas Clem Curtis performed with the Righteous Brothers.
When he finally returned to the UK Clem decided to re-form The Foundations and the current line up are well established as firm favourites on the 60's circuit, including appearances at the London Paladium and Royal Albert Hall, as well as at clubs, hotels, and concerts around the world. His success has also included the theatre, as The Lion in "The Wiz" at The Hammersmith Lyric, and a highly successful gospel stage performance in "Amen Corner" at The Lyric in Shaftsbury Avenue. The Foundations also featured in the extravaganza show called "Why" for 15 months at the Piccadilly Theatre.
More recent TV appearances include "Night Fever", GMTV, and Songs of praise! as well as the singing voice "papa's for a Brand New Baf" for PG Tips ad. - Not to mention their appearance on the Clive james Show which received much praise for a brilliant performance.
July 2000 - Clem Curtis & The Foundations performed and left the crowd standing at "The British Invasion" a three day live concert in the USA at Foxwood's Casino (the biggest in the world). Since televised throughout the USA and Canada.
Christmas 2000 - saw Clem and The Foundations doing a special live show for Dale Winton on "Winton's Wonderland".
The year 2001 started brilliantly for The Foundations on Canouan Island, entertaining the elite (inc. the Aga Khan); and later in the year the famous Dubai World Cup. Clem is now working regularly in the USA - his latest trip to open a new venue with the Four Tops and The Temptations. He has just finished a mini tour in Buffalo, N.Y.