Dee Clark - Raindrops

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Though largely unknown among contemporary audiences, Dee Clark was one of the most successful R&B singers of the late '50s and early '60s, his resonant, expressive tenor gracing classics like "Raindrops" and "(Hey) Little Girl." Delecta Clark was born in Blytheville, Arkansas on November 7, 1938; from the age of three, he grew up on Chicago's West Side, in 1952 joining with schoolmates Sammy McGrier and Ronnie Strong in the Hambone Kids. A fad that required performers to slap their thighs, chests, and other parts of the body in emulation of what's now known as a Bo Diddley beat, the Hambone Kids were popular long enough for the teenage trio to collaborate with Red Saunders & His Orchestra for a single, also titled "Hambone," issued on Okeh in 1952. The record was a minor hit, but in 1953 Clark moved on, assuming lead duties with the Chicago vocal group the Goldentones -- when local DJ Herb "The Kool Gent" Kent took over their management, he rechristened his charges the Kool Gents, landing them a recording deal with Chicago's Vee-Jay label. The group issued its debut single "This Is the Night" in early 1956, followed that summer by "I Just Can't Help Myself." (As the Delegates, they also released "The Convention," a novelty record inspired by that year's presidential election.)

After one final Vee-Jay session yielding 1957's "Mother's Son," the label's general manager Ewart Abner convinced Clark to go solo -- his debut "Gloria" was, in fact, a Kool Gents recording, although only Clark's name appeared on the label. He struggled to forge his own style, mimicking Clyde McPhatter on the follow-up "Seven Nights" and aping Little Richard on 1958's "Oh, Little Girl." Neither charted, but when Little Richard himself abruptly quit performing to enter Bible college, his booking agent hired Clark to fulfill his remaining live dates; he ultimately spent five months on the road with Richard's backing band the Upsetters, also enlisting the group for studio dates. Clark officially came into his own with late 1958's "Nobody But You" -- a luminous, uptempo love song ideally matched to his deeply affecting vocals, the single reached number 21 on the pop charts and number three on the R&B charts, creating the template for the remainder of his Vee-Jay output. Its 1959 follow-up "Just Keep It Up (And See What Happens)" was an even bigger pop hit, reaching the number 18 spot (although going only as high as number nine on the R&B rankings), and with the Bo Diddley-inspired rocker "(Hey) Little Girl" Clark solidified his popularity, reaching number 20 pop and number two R&B during a 15-week run on the charts.

In 1960 Clark notched three more consecutive pop chart entries: the Top 40 hit "How About That," "(Crazy Little Mama) At My Back Door," and "You're Looking Good." The streak continued in 1961 with "Your Friends," which reached number 34 on the national pop charts and proved an even bigger hit in his hometown Chicago market. Inspired by the inclement weather that plagued a road trip back from New York City, the follow-up "Raindrops" was both Clark's biggest hit and his creative apex -- a vividly cinematic virtuoso performance that reached number two on the Billboard pop chart, its sophisticated sound anticipated the R&B genre's coming evolution into soul. But Clark never again recaptured its success either in the studio or on the charts: none of his next three singles -- "Don't Walk Away from Me," 1962's "You Are Like the Wind," and "Dance On, Little Girl" -- even charted. "I'm Going Back to School" was a renaissance of sorts, cracking the R&B Top 20, but in 1963 Clark again stumbled, and after three successive singles ("I'm a Soldier Boy," "How Is He Treating You?" and "Walking My Dog") failing to chart, he left Vee-Jay, signing with Ewart Abner's new label Constellation for the dance record "Crossfire Time," which squeaked onto the Billboard Hot 100 at number 92 -- his final U.S. chart appearance.

Clark's Constellation tenure is a study in frustration -- between 1964 and 1966, he released eight singles for the label, none of which charted. Although 1975's Chelsea label release "Ride a Wild Horse" enjoyed chart success in the U.K., the single was Clark's last -- he continued touring relentlessly during the decade-plus to follow, the grind no doubt contributing greatly to the massive heart attack that ended his life on December 7, 1990 at the age of only 52.

~ Jason Ankeny, All Music

Category:

Education

Tags:

• pop
• rock
• r&b

[kiwiduncan]

The last two seconds of this song - Dee's shrieking cry of anguish - I swear, it is the best two seconds ever committed to vinyl. He take a good song then makes it soar. Astounding performance.

[gitrman2]

Dee used to drive his big cadillac for the people in his band. We learned his songs while traveling from place to place in his car. We played at the the theaters back in those days. Regal in Chicago, Howard in Washingon. Royal in Baltimore.

I wish that I could see some of that video footage from those show.

Guitarist George Walker

[tcrimans1]

Thank Vivian Carter founder of the VeeJay record label for bringing this too us

[TheApple500]

Always loved this song, so much feeling.

[ccasia2008]

From Chinese in Asia: Lovely song performed well by this talented American negro

[cdjblue52]

Thanks so much for the narrative. I really enjoy reading the history of artists. It was exciting to see Herb Kent's name, who I listened to EVERY evening mon thru fri from 6 to 10 (I believer) for years.  I didn't know that he had played other roles in the music industry. Very talented man...I had never heard of him...how sad.

[jjkoekemoer]

Gorgeous tune, thank's John.

[15899550]

This was big hit for Dee back in 1961. This song got a lot of playing time on AM radio in OKC. Very innovative to employ thundering and the sound of rain in a recording in the early '60's. Brings back childhood memories in Oklahoma.

[Revive45s]

Dee Clark ***** from me :)

[LindaDooWop]

Yippee! I love this one! Thanks so much!