David Clayton-Thomas, the emotive Canadian singer-songwriter who fronted Blood, Sweat & Tears on hits including “Spinning Wheel,” “And When I Die” and “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” has died. He was 84.
Clayton-Thomas died Wednesday at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, a family spokesperson announced.
Clayton-Thomas, who lived on the streets of Toronto when he was a teenager and spent years in detention, performed in clubs on Yonge Street before coming to New York in 1967. A year later, he joined the Greenwich Village-based Blood, Sweat & Tears as a replacement for lead vocalist Al Kooper.
He contributed raw, powerful singing to the improvisational multi-player band that would become known for their fusion of rock, blues and brassy jazz.
Clayton-Thomas’ first record with Blood, Sweat & Tears, the eponymous second LP released in December 1968 on Columbia Records, was a sensation. It topped the Billboard Hot 200 album chart for seven (non-consecutive) weeks in 1969 and won two Grammys, including Album of the Year, beating out The Beatles’ Abbey Road, Johnny Cash at San Quentin, Crosby, Stills & Nash’s self-titled debut and The 5th Dimension’s The Age of Aquarius.
