David Clayton-Thomas of jazz-rock group Blood Sweat and Tears, March, 17, 1975. Michael Putland/Getty Images
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David Clayton-Thomas, the lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears and songwriter behind hits such as “Spinning Wheel,” has died. He was 84.
The musician’s publicist shared with Billboard on Thursday (June 25) that he had passed away peacefully the evening prior at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. No cause of death was provided, but the rep did add that a memorial benefit concert will soon be held in Clayton-Thomas’ honor supporting Peacebuilders Canada, an organization that promotes restorative justice for youth, which he championed for years up until he died.
Starting out as a soloist who first earned major recognition in Canada for anti-war song “Brainwashed” in 1966, Clayton-Thomas joined Blood, Sweat & Tears a couple of years later following the departure of former bandleader Al Kooper. Soon after, the group notched its first hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Spinning Wheel,” “And When I Die” and “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” each of which reached No. 2 in 1969.
After helping usher several other tracks onto the top 40, including 1970’s “Hi-De-Ho” and 1971’s “Go Down Gamblin’,” Clayton-Thomas briefly left the group in 1972, the same year his self-titled solo album charted on the Billboard 200. A few years later, however, he returned, remaining as a constant in Blood, Sweat & Tears’ lineup until 2004.
Clayton-Thomas would resume his solo work shortly after that, releasing album Aurora in 2005 followed by The Evergreens in 2008, Soul Ballads in 2010, A Blues for the New World in 2013, Combo in 2016, Canadiana in 2016, Mobius in 2018 and Say Somethin’ in 2020. His accolades include an induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, a Juno Award and a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
He is survived by his daughters, Ashleigh Clayton-Thomas and Christine Graham.
