David Clayton-Thomas, the singer who helped make Blood, Sweat & Tears a huge success, has died at the age of 84.
His publicist confirmed that he passed away peacefully in a Toronto hospital. No cause of death has been announced.
For many fans, Clayton-Thomas was the voice behind some of the band’s biggest songs, including Spinning Wheel, And When I Die and You’ve Made Me So Very Happy.
His powerful voice helped turn the group into one of the most successful acts of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
But his path to fame was not easy. Born in England, he later moved to Toronto with his family.
As a teenager, the late icon experienced homelessness and spent years getting into trouble and moving in and out of jail.
Everything changed when music entered his life.
After building a name for himself in Canada, he moved to New York and joined Blood, Sweat & Tears.
The band’s success exploded soon after. Their albums sold millions of copies and won several Grammy Awards.
Looking back on joining the group, Clayton-Thomas once said, “I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but yeah. The first time I walked in and sang with that band, we were in shock. It was one of those electrical things that happen.”
