Single - Dee Clark - Rhythm & Blues

This limited edition extended play 45 (only 500 worldwide), is a must have addition to any Rhythm & Blues / Soul vinyl collection.  This stunning EP comes with a quality high gloss outer sleeve, and paper inner sleeve for additional vinyl protection (shrink wrapped).  

Dee Clark Rhythm & Blues is Part 2 of our Dee Clark EP collection.  These Dee Clark gems from 1959 – 1961 are a pure vocal masterclass.  

The “Delectable” Dee Clark was born Delectus Clark, in Blytheville, Arkansas on 7th November 1938.  His mother, Essie Mae Clark, was aGospel vocalist who encouraged her son to pursue a career in the music industry.  

His first recording was in 1952 as a member of the Hambone Kids, and they enjoyed some success with a recording of Hambone on a Red Saunders And His Orchestra single: “Hambone / Boot ‘Em Up (OKEH 4-6862)”. 

On leaving the Hambone Kids, Dee then joined the R&B vocal group the Goldentones, who went on to became the Kool Gents. The Kool Gents released only two singles on Vee Jay Records: “Do Ya Do / This Is The Night (VJ 173)” and the R&B Vocal Group perfection of “I Just Can't Help Myself (VJ 207)” (featured on Dee Clark Rock'n'Roll EP VTREP302). The Kool Gents also recorded as The Delegates in 1956, with “The Convention” (Vee-Jay 212) and “Mothers Son (Vee-Jay 243)”.

 

In 1957, Dee kick started on his solo career, sounding incredibly like Clyde McPhatter and Little Richard (both huge stars of the time). 

In October 1957, Little Richard embarked on his tour of Australia with Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran. He shocked his fans by announcing his decision to quit Rock'n'Roll, and instead follow a life in the ministry. Dee fulfilled Little Richard’s remaining tour dates, and even recorded with Little Richard’s band the Upsetters releasing: Oh Little Girl (featured on the Dee Clark Rock N Roll EP VTREP302) / Wondering (Falcon 109) 1958.

 

Dee’s career peaked in the late fifties and early sixties with hits such as “Nobody But You”, “Hey Little Girl” (featured on Dee Clark Rhythm & Blues EP VTREP303) and Raindrops which reached number 2 in the Billboard Hot 100.  Sadly he never quite managed to reach his full career potential, possibly due to the fact that he didn’t find his own Dee Clark sound until late in his career, his Clyde McPhatter styling can be heard on numerous releases.  By the late 1980s, he was in severe financial difficulties, and living in a welfare hotel in Toccoa, Georgia.   He suffered a stroke in 1987, leaving him partially paralyzed and with a mild speech impediment, remarkably he still managed to continue to perform on the Rock ‘n’ Roll revival circuit, until he suffered a fatal heart attack on 7th December 1990, in Smyrna, Georgia, Dee was only 52 years of age.  Dee Clark may no longer be with us, but music legacy will live on forever.