David Clayton Thomas, lead singer of Blood Sweat and Tears and songwriter behind such hits as “Spinning Wheels,” has died. He was 84 years old.
A spokesperson for the musician told Billboard on Thursday (June 25) that he passed away peacefully the previous night at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. The cause of death has not been disclosed, but his representative added that a memorial benefit concert will be held soon in Clayton Thomas’ honor to support Peacebuilders Canada, a restorative justice organization for youth that he championed for many years before his death.
Clayton-Thomas, who began as a soloist in 1966 and first gained significant recognition in Canada with the anti-war song “Brainwashed,” joined Blood Sweat and Tears a few years later following the departure of former bandleader Al Kooper. Soon after, the group had its first hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Spinning Wheels,” “And When I Die,” and “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” each of which reached number two in 1969.
Clayton-Thomas briefly left the group in 1972, after several other songs reached the Top 40, including 1970’s “Hi De Ho” and 1971’s “Go Down Gamblin’,” and his self-titled solo album charted on the Billboard 200 that same year. However, he returned a few years later and remained a regular in the Blood, Sweat and Tears lineup until 2004.
Clayton-Thomas resumed his solo career shortly after, releasing the album Aurora in 2005, followed by Evergreens in 2008, Soul Ballad in 2010, and Soul Ballad in 2013. They released “A Blues for the New World” in 2016, “Combo” in 2016, “Canadiana” in 2016, “Moebius” in 2018, and “Say Something” in 2020. Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Juno Award, and Star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
He is survived by daughters Ashley Clayton-Thomas and Christine Graham;
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