Clout (band)
Clout was an original all-female South African rock group formed in 1977, best known for their hit single, "Substitute".
Career
Clout's first and biggest hit, "Substitute", was a new arrangement of a The Righteous Brothers song, composed by Willie Wilson. In 1978, their version reached No. 1 in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Denmark and Belgium. It also reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the UK charts for 15 weeks.[1] Due to sanctions against South African artists and performers by UK's Equity at the time, the BBC's Top of the Pops TV programme acquired a video clip from the Netherlands to present the hit song for its top ten countdown.
A major success in Europe, Clout scored more Top 10 singles, notably "Save Me", "You've Got All of Me" and "Under Fire".
Clout's "Substitute" reached No. 67 on the USA Billboard Hot 100.
Clout split up in 1981, shortly after the release of their last major single, a re-arrangement of the Hall and Oates song "Portable Radio".
In 1992, their greatest hits package was released on CD, and it was re-mastered as The Best of Clout in 2010.
Musicians
- Cindy Alter: lead vocals, guitar (1977–1981)
- Lee Tomlinson: bass, vocals (1977–1980)
- Ingrid "Ingi" Herbst: drums, vocals (1977–1981)
- Glenda Hyam: keyboards, vocals (1977)
- Jenni Garson: guitar, vocals (1977–1981)
- Ron "Bones" Brettell: keyboards, vocals (1978–1981)
- Sandy Robbie: guitar, vocals (1978–1981)
- Gary van Zyl: bass (1980–1981)
Discography
Albums
- 1978: Substitute (aka Clout)
- 1979: Six of the Best
- 1980: A Threat and a Promise
- 1981: 1977 to 1981 (compilation with one new song)
- 1992: Substitute (Dutch compilation)
- 1992: 20 Greatest Hits (compilation)
- 1994: Clout (German compilation)
- 2007: Since We've Been Gone (compilation with 9 new recordings)
- 2010: The Best Of Clout (compilation)
Singles
- 1977
- "Since You Been Gone" (Russ Ballard)
- "Substitute"
- "You've Got All of Me" (Terry Dempsey)
- "Let it Grow" (Eric Clapton)
- 1978
- "Save Me" (Clodagh Rodgers)
- "Ms America"
- "Under Fire" (B A Robertson)
- 1980
- "Oowatanite" (Miles Goodwyn, Jim Clench)
- "Portable Radio" (Hall & Oates)
- 1981
- "Wish I Were Loving You"
References
- ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 111. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.