The Clovers:A Classic R&B Group
by Erika Cox
The Clovers were one of the few groups that lasted throughout the development of Rock and Roll and early Rhythm and Blues music span.
Their longevity is due to their
strings of hits and crossover appeal, yet still staying true to their
Rhythm and Blues background.
The group’s musical style combined
Rock and Roll and Rhythm and Blues perfectly, creating an appealing and
lasting sound.
The Clovers started as a trio of
Armstrong High School students in 1946 all from the same neighborhood in
Washington, D.C.
The leader of the group Harold "Hal"
Lucas, sang baritone. From 1946 through 1949 the group went through many
personal changes as they performed in several of the area's small
nightclubs.
In 1950, they signed a contract with
Rainbow Records in New York but released only one record. In February
1951 they signed with Atlantic Records staying with the company for
several years producing several hit records and becoming a success
because of these hits.
Their first record "Don't You Know
That I Love You So," had moderate success, their next song, "Fool, Fool,
Fool" did better, and the next song "One Mint Julip" almost went gold.
Three of their songs went to number
one on the Rhythm and Blues charts and a string of other songs made it
to the Top Ten R&B charts. Much of their success was with Atlantic
records.
Ahmet Ertegun was the owner of
Atlantic Records and he also produced and wrote songs for several of the
acts at Atlantic Records.
Ertegun was credited with finding the
some of the best and most talented Rhythm and Blues groups around. He
wrote many of the hits by the Clovers. However, the Clovers created
their own unique blend of Rock and Roll music and Rhythm and Blues that
contributed to their success.
In 1952, the group would undergo the first of many personnel changes but the group managed to continue making hits keeping the Clovers mystique alive.
Like so many other Black groups and
artists in the 50’s, many white artists covered the Clovers’ songs, this
could be seen as a blessing and a curse.
Of course, the curse was that the
Clovers were overlooked and didn’t receive the much deserved recognition
or fame and fortune due them. The blessing is that it brought their
music to the attention of music lovers all around the world.
With the help of disc jockeys like Alan
Freed and teenagers who purchased records by the real artists not
the cover artists, groups like the Clovers eventually got noticed and
recognition. Because of their ability to produce hit after hit, Alan
Freed would bill the Clovers with huge artists like Fats Domino, Ruth
Brown and also bill them as top acts of several shows and concert halls
across the country.
The Clovers became on of the most
successful Rhythm and Blues groups of the 50’s, having more than 21
songs on the charts. However, the Clovers are probably bettered
remembered for their style and cross over appeal than many of their
hits.
Perhaps because of their very early
success and the fact that their songs aren’t as popular as some of the
other R&B or Doo Wop groups, the Clovers have not been fully recognized
as outstanding achievers in the music world.
They have yet to be inducted into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I feel a mistake by the organization. The
Clovers were one of the first groups to merge Rock and Roll and Rhythm
and Blues together and one of the very first groups to have that
crossover appeal for that they should definitely be remembered and
acknowledged.
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