Founding Fathers: The Clovers

Founding Fathers The Clovers Sing Their Biggest Hit, c. 1951 (YouTube)

Formed in Washington, DC in 1946, the Clovers were best known for the smooth ballads and bluesy jumps they recorded with the fledgling Atlantic label during the 1950s.

By the time they began recording for New York’s Rainbow Records in 1950, the Clovers were a quartet of singers that included Harold Lucas, John “Buddy” Bailey, Matthew McQuater and Harold Winley.

Following their hit “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby,” Rainbow honcho Lou Krefetz introduced them to Ahmet Ertegun and the group (with the addition of guitarist Bill Harris) signed with Atlantic in 1951.

Thus they began to record a string of three #1 and four #2 R&B hits, most notably 1951′s “Fool, Fool, Fool.” Personnel problems beset the band by 1954, stalling their progress until they returned to work with Krefetz at Poplar Records. A buyout by United Artists put them in contact with Leiber and Stoller and lead to their biggest hit of their career, 1959′s “Love Potion #9.”

By the 1960s, their hits dried up and the Clovers split into two different factions. As was the case for many groups that formed prior to the “lawyerization” of rock and roll, their story from there becomes somewhat confusing and convaluted (and best left behind with attention paid to their music).

It’s our Gallery of Greats! Check out more Founding Fathers here…