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The G-Clefs

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The G-Clefs were an American doo-wop/rhythm and blues vocal group, from Roxbury, Massachusetts, United States.

The G-Clefs consisted of four brothers and a fifth member who was a childhood friend. They first sang together at St Richard's Catholic Church, in their hometown of Roxbury.[1] They were subsequently discovered by a talent scout named Jack Gold, who encouraged them to perform professionally.[2] They began performing in greater Boston in the early 1950s.[3] They scored two Top 40 hits in the United States: their version of "Ka-Ding-Dong" released in 1956 single, featuring Freddy Cannon on guitar, peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100; it was the first national hit for their Boston-based label, Pilgrim Records.[4] Their other hit song was 1961's "I Understand (Just How You Feel)", which used the melody from "Auld Lang Syne", reached No. 9.[5] The latter track reached No. 17 in the UK Singles Chart in late 1961.[6]

They continued to play locally in greater Boston, at the Strand Theater in Uphams Corner (Dorchester, Massachusetts), and throughout the area into the 2000s.

Ray Gipson died in 2015, at the age of 77.[7] Tim Scott died in 2017, at the age of 78.[8] Teddy Scott died in 2018, at the age of 82.[9] Ilanga Scott died of cancer in 2022, at the age of 82.[10]

Members

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  • Teddy Scott (born Bryce Theodore Scott; February 29, 1936 – October 27, 2018)
  • Chris Scott (born Christian Scott in 1937)
  • Tim Scott (born Timothy Scott; 1938 – May 16, 2017)
  • Arnold (Ilanga) Scott (July 23, 1940 – December 24, 2022)
  • Ray Gipson (born Ramon Gipson; September 24, 1937 – January 4, 2015)[11]
  • Ira Kweller - keyboard player (1952 – July 2018)

References

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  1. ^ "For Teddy Scott, 82, we recall doo-wop baritone, summer smile". > YourArlington.com - Your news, your views. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  2. ^ "Artists Biographies." Billboard, November 20, 1961, p. 20.
  3. ^ Joe Viglione. "The G-Clefs - Biography - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Hit Record for Pilgrim." Cashbox, August 11, 1956, p. 24.
  5. ^ Joe Viglione. "The G-Clefs - Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  6. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 218. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  7. ^ "The Dead Rock Stars Club - January to June 2015". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  8. ^ "Timothy Scott Obituary". legacy.com. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  9. ^ "Teddy Scott, G-Clefs Singer, Dies At 82". poprockdoowopp.com. 28 October 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  10. ^ Thompson, Isaiah (11 January 2023). "Doo-wop singer, dancer, author, Ilanga dies at 82". The Bay State Banner. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Ray Gipson September 24, 1937 – January 4, 2015". lyonsfuneral.com. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
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