Clayton Hammond Jr. was born in Groesbeck, Texas. He was an American R&B and soul singer and songwriterand in 1956 he became a founding member of the gospel group The Mighty Clouds of Joy in Los Angeles, with Little Johnny Taylor and others.
His younger brother, Walter Hammond, became a member of vocal group The Olympics. Clay Hammond made his first recording in 1959 for the Tag label, and then formed a trio, The Three Friends, who recorded for the Cal-Gold and Imperial labels in 1961, with little success. He also recorded with his brother Walter as the Hammond Brothers.
In 1963, his song Part Time Love (this is Clay's recording) was also recorded by Little Johnny Taylor and reached the top of the Billboard R&B chart and no.19 on the pop chart.
He continued to write songs, but with much less success, as well as recording singles for a variety of small labels. He joined Kent Records in 1966, and his four singles for that label, including " I'll Make It Up To You" are among his most well-known.
After leaving Kent in 1969 Hammond issued further singles, but in 1981 joined doo-wop group The Rivingtons as their lead vocalist, replacing Carl White. He also spent some time in a version of The Drifters.
Terry De Rouen, his close friend, spent time with Clay during the Mighty Clouds of Joy and also played together with the Drifters for a time.
On occasion, Clay would show up on a gig and sit in with the band, singing songs that everybody knew and loved. It was such a pleasure knowing Clay.
Terry and Clay stayed close friends up until he passed. They would talk nearly every day and reminisce about the good old days. We miss him a lot.
May you rest in Heavenly Peace dear friend!
Clayton Hammond Jr. passed away on February 4, 2011. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10-10:55 a.m. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Both services will be held at The Church Without Walls, 7500 Eldridge Parkway. Interment-Cemetery Beautiful.
Published in Houston Chronicle on February 11, 2011
His younger brother, Walter Hammond, became a member of vocal group The Olympics. Clay Hammond made his first recording in 1959 for the Tag label, and then formed a trio, The Three Friends, who recorded for the Cal-Gold and Imperial labels in 1961, with little success. He also recorded with his brother Walter as the Hammond Brothers.
In 1963, his song Part Time Love (this is Clay's recording) was also recorded by Little Johnny Taylor and reached the top of the Billboard R&B chart and no.19 on the pop chart.
He continued to write songs, but with much less success, as well as recording singles for a variety of small labels. He joined Kent Records in 1966, and his four singles for that label, including " I'll Make It Up To You" are among his most well-known.
After leaving Kent in 1969 Hammond issued further singles, but in 1981 joined doo-wop group The Rivingtons as their lead vocalist, replacing Carl White. He also spent some time in a version of The Drifters.
Terry De Rouen, his close friend, spent time with Clay during the Mighty Clouds of Joy and also played together with the Drifters for a time.
On occasion, Clay would show up on a gig and sit in with the band, singing songs that everybody knew and loved. It was such a pleasure knowing Clay.
Terry and Clay stayed close friends up until he passed. They would talk nearly every day and reminisce about the good old days. We miss him a lot.
May you rest in Heavenly Peace dear friend!
Clayton Hammond Jr. passed away on February 4, 2011. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10-10:55 a.m. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Both services will be held at The Church Without Walls, 7500 Eldridge Parkway. Interment-Cemetery Beautiful.
Published in Houston Chronicle on February 11, 2011
Clayton Hammond Jr. was born in Groesbeck, Texas. He was an American R&B and soul singer and songwriterand in 1956 he became a founding member of the gospel group The Mighty Clouds of Joy in Los Angeles, with Little Johnny Taylor and others.
His younger brother, Walter Hammond, became a member of vocal group The Olympics. Clay Hammond made his first recording in 1959 for the Tag label, and then formed a trio, The Three Friends, who recorded for the Cal-Gold and Imperial labels in 1961, with little success. He also recorded with his brother Walter as the Hammond Brothers.
In 1963, his song Part Time Love (this is Clay's recording) was also recorded by Little Johnny Taylor and reached the top of the Billboard R&B chart and no.19 on the pop chart.
He continued to write songs, but with much less success, as well as recording singles for a variety of small labels. He joined Kent Records in 1966, and his four singles for that label, including " I'll Make It Up To You" are among his most well-known.
After leaving Kent in 1969 Hammond issued further singles, but in 1981 joined doo-wop group The Rivingtons as their lead vocalist, replacing Carl White. He also spent some time in a version of The Drifters.
Terry De Rouen, his close friend, spent time with Clay during the Mighty Clouds of Joy and also played together with the Drifters for a time.
On occasion, Clay would show up on a gig and sit in with the band, singing songs that everybody knew and loved. It was such a pleasure knowing Clay.
Terry and Clay stayed close friends up until he passed. They would talk nearly every day and reminisce about the good old days. We miss him a lot.
May you rest in Heavenly Peace dear friend!
Clayton Hammond Jr. passed away on February 4, 2011. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10-10:55 a.m. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Both services will be held at The Church Without Walls, 7500 Eldridge Parkway. Interment-Cemetery Beautiful.
Published in Houston Chronicle on February 11, 2011
His younger brother, Walter Hammond, became a member of vocal group The Olympics. Clay Hammond made his first recording in 1959 for the Tag label, and then formed a trio, The Three Friends, who recorded for the Cal-Gold and Imperial labels in 1961, with little success. He also recorded with his brother Walter as the Hammond Brothers.
In 1963, his song Part Time Love (this is Clay's recording) was also recorded by Little Johnny Taylor and reached the top of the Billboard R&B chart and no.19 on the pop chart.
He continued to write songs, but with much less success, as well as recording singles for a variety of small labels. He joined Kent Records in 1966, and his four singles for that label, including " I'll Make It Up To You" are among his most well-known.
After leaving Kent in 1969 Hammond issued further singles, but in 1981 joined doo-wop group The Rivingtons as their lead vocalist, replacing Carl White. He also spent some time in a version of The Drifters.
Terry De Rouen, his close friend, spent time with Clay during the Mighty Clouds of Joy and also played together with the Drifters for a time.
On occasion, Clay would show up on a gig and sit in with the band, singing songs that everybody knew and loved. It was such a pleasure knowing Clay.
Terry and Clay stayed close friends up until he passed. They would talk nearly every day and reminisce about the good old days. We miss him a lot.
May you rest in Heavenly Peace dear friend!
Clayton Hammond Jr. passed away on February 4, 2011. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10-10:55 a.m. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Both services will be held at The Church Without Walls, 7500 Eldridge Parkway. Interment-Cemetery Beautiful.
Published in Houston Chronicle on February 11, 2011
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