BBC HomeExplore the BBC
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

24 September 2014
top of the pops 2 top of the pops 2

BBC Homepage
Entertainment
»TOTP2
PLAY
  Video Quiz
  Decades Quiz
PHOTOS
  Wallpaper
  Flick Books
  Postcards
  Fancy Dress
MUSIC
  Show Clips
  Classic Shows
ARTISTS
  Interviews
  Top 5s
  School Reports
  Where Are They?
TV SHOW
  Lineup
  Performances
  Show History
  Presenters
  Titles & Themes
  Logos
  Annuals
  Pan's People
  Ruby Flipper
  Legs & Co
LINKS
  Contact Us
  BBC Music
  BBC News
  Radio 2
  6 Music


TOTP Online
 

Contact Us

Where Are They now?
Clem
Ever wondered what happened to Clem Curtis, the voice of The Foundations?

Do you think your era is a forgotten one?
Clem: Even groups today record songs from our time and they go to No.1, or use them to rap over and I just think that anyone is making that sort of music anymore. If you think that 35 years ago one had a few records that were in the chart, they're legends now. On practically every compilation you'll find The Foundations.

So you can't be doing bad for royalties.
Clem: Ah that's another problem. You have so many different aspects of a label doing things that nothing has changed since the old days in terms of how easy it is to get royalties. A lot of people out there are owed a lot of money, including myself.

So are you ever going to retire?
Clem: How many musicians do you hear saying they'll retire. I heard Eric Clapton saying he'd like to stop but most musicians don't. They always have to come back and play, that's what we do. God willing that if I can make it that far and still sing, I'll be doing this in twenty years time. It's not a job for me, it's a way of life. And I enjoy the way of life that I have.

What do you do when you're not touring?
Clem: I live in a little market town. It's very rural and out of the way. And I like to collect junk. I have stuff in my house from my travels that tell a little story about how I have lived. I like good company. I like living in the country and I have some really nice friends. I like peace and quiet.
So what's next for The Foundations?
Clem: Right now we're doing a new version of 'Build Me Up Buttercup' and we're hoping to get a deal from some label somewhere and put that out?
Why?
Clem: There are two songs that the audience by heart wherever we go, 'Baby Now That I Found You' and 'Build Me Up Buttercup'. On a tour I did recently, all these students were asking me "Why don't you do a dance version like you get in the charts now?" It's a little bit different.
What do you listen to these days?
Clem: I listen to everything. But I do like the '60s music the best. I'm crazy about Marvin Gaye and Lou Rawls and people of that era. You don't hear music like that anymore. I've nothing against today's stuff but it all sounds the same.
You used to be a boxer, did that ever come in handy?
Clem: [Laughs] I've had my moments, that's all I can say.

  Modern Romance  
  'Two flop records.' Andy's explanation for shift from new romantic to salsa.  
  Mungo Jerry  
  'It just kept selling!' Ray Dorset talks about his seasonal anthem.  
  Dave Dee  
  Dave Dee discusses the hazards of using a bullwhip on stage.  
  Pete Burns  
  We chat to androgynous Dead or Alive frontman about the '80s revival.  
  The Searchers  
  'At the time, I really didn't think it was going to be a lifetime job'.  
  Middle Of The Road  
  Ken Andrew talks about the cheap and chirpy world of Middle Of The Road...  
  Howard Jones  
  We ask the synth wizard a heap of questions, including "What is love?"  
  Paul Hardcastle  
  We speak to the Electro-pop wizard about his TOTP memories...  
  The Stranglers  
  The history of The Stranglers, according to bassist and songwriter JJ Burnel.  
  S'Express  
  Mark Moore tell us what he's up to these days.  
  Owen Paul  
  He's back! And music is still his favourite waste of time.  
  Bucks Fizz  
  We speak to Cheryl Baker about Eurovision, Jay Aston and mini-skirts  
  The Foundations  
  We track down Clem Curtis of 'Build Me Up Buttercup' fame  


About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy