This is the promotional video for Culture Club’s “Church of the Poison Mind.” This one of their many, many hits, charted #17 Rock and #10 Pop in the USA; #10 in Canada; and #2 in the UK.
The fabulously flamboyant Boy George (George O’Dowd) fronted this eighties band from London, England, and I fell in love with them the very first time I saw one of their videos on MTV. (For those of GenX, Y or Z, MTV used to show music videos 24/7 — hence the name Music Television!! ).
George was entertaining to look at and I loved his singing. He guested on many TV shows of the era and I jumped in front of the TV set to see him perform whenever I could.
This song, that the group composed, sounds like a song from the Golden Era of Motown with background vocalist Helen Terry taking the place of all three andantes . The harmonica is front and center, the tambourine is a shaking through- out and the bass is thumping!
If you are reading this post and aren’t aware of this group I highly recommend you check out their catalog. I have most of it on vinyl and honestly can say that I don’t recall hearing any bad cuts at all.
Culture Club won the 1983 Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
I know that a “Culture Club” Reunion will probably never happen, but I am extremely glad we had this group around on the music scene for a few years. It is so sad when talented groups/bands implode and leave the fans wanting more. Unfortunately this happens far to often in the business called music.
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#3 R&B, #12 Pop
“Since I Don’t Have You” was the biggest hit for this Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania quintet that was inducted in to The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002.
This is one of my favorites of the era. I was pleased as punch to see a new lineup of the quintet (with the same lead singer) on one of those fabulous PBS oldies specials a few years ago entitled “Doo Wop Gold.”
Here is the YouTube clip of the performance for your viewing pleasure.
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#1 Adult Contemporary, #2 Billboard Top 100, #45 R&B Singles
This song was very, very popular when I was in high school -- loved it then and now! Whenever I hear it it takes me back to those carefree days!
This song is from second LP released by the Al Kooper formed rock band ‘Blood Sweat and Tears’ that earned the group the 1969 Grammy for Album of the year. Entitled “Blood, Sweat and Tears” the group had added four new members since their debut LP and this no doubt pushed them to the next level since one of those four new members was the extraordinary soulful voice of new member and lead singer Canadian David Clayton Thomas!
Born David Henry Thomsett in the UK, Clayton-Thomas wrote the song “Spinning Wheel” which was one of three hit singles from this award winning, now classic IMHO, LP. The song also won the 1969 Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)/Best Background Arrangement for Fred Lipsius.
The LP charted #1 Billboard top 100 albums and #15 Billboard R&B albums.
According to WIKI:
In 2002, the album was honoured with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. Clayton-Thomas left the band twice, but he was still touring with a reconstituted Blood, Sweat & Tears through 2004.
Clayton-Thomas was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1996. In January, 2006, the song “Spinning Wheel” was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Clayton- Thomas is still performing and touring today. His schedule can be found on his My Space Profile and his Official Website which also contains historical/biographical information for your review.
Trivia: The third single to chart from this LP was the cover of the 1967 hit for Motown’s Brenda Holloway — “You Made Me So Very Happy.” Composed by Berry Gordy, Jr., Patrice Holloway, Brenda Holloway and Frank Wilson, the David Clayton-Thomas led version is simply awesome. I loved it the first time I heard it.
I recall in an interview many years ago reading that Holloway was credited with saying that Clayton’s soulful version is how it was meant to be -- not the watered down version Gordy had her release : she loved it!
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] There are more 1969 Grammy Awards left to discuss then there is month left in February . I had a hard time deciding which award winning song to close the month out with, but finally decided on one of my favorite dance tunes of the Sixties -sung by [...]
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] The 1969 Grammy for the Best Rhythm and Blues Song was “Color Him Father,” Richard Spencer, songwriter. Just like another Grammy winning song in 1969, “A Boy Name Sue, “ “Color Him Father” is all about the superb lyrics! Composed by group member Richard Spencer of Washington DC’s [...]
The 1969 Grammy for Best Country Song went to “A Boy Named Sue ” - Shel Silverstein, Songwriter. The 1969 Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male went to “A Boy Named Sue” sung by Johnny Cash. Like the so-called labeled Soul Gospel song “Oh Happy Day” in the last post — this Country Song [...]
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] The Grammy for 1969 Best Soul Gospel Performance went to ” Oh Happy Day” performed by the Edwin Hawkins Singers. Everybody, no matter what race, creed or color, sang along and loved this song when it came out. With simple (yet deep) lyrics and a catchy tune — [...]
. The harmonica is front and center, the tambourine is a shaking through- out and the bass is thumping!
Culture Club won the 1983 Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
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? I was thinking of buying it.
