The G-Clefs Explained

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 1956 single "Ka-Ding-Dong", 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

• 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)

External links

• The G-Clefs biography & discography I
• The G-Clefs biography & discography II
• The G-Clefs record label shots
• Article on The G-Clefs

Notes and References

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