The Ramong Sound

The Ramong Sound was a British R&B, soul and ska band, active from 1965 to 1966.

The Ramong Sound
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active1965–1966
SpinoffsThe Foundations
Past membersRaymond Morrison
Clem Curtis
Arthur Brown
Alan Warner
Peter Macbeth
Lyndsay Arnold
Con (Surname unknown)
Mike Falana

Background

The Ramong Sound was a London based outfit, that featured two black lead singers doing Sam & Dave styled duets, one of them being Raymond Morrison (aka Ramong Morrison[1]), and the other being a former professional boxer, Clem Curtis[2] who had also done some wrestling.[3]

Morrison had left Jamaica and arrived in London in 1954.[4]

Prior to joining the Ramong Sound, 25 yo Curtis was a professional boxer and had worked as a painter and interior decorator.[5]

Guitar player Alan Warner was an experienced musician, and joined the Ramong Sound after having worked in various bands. He would stay with the group through all of their name change evolutions from Ramongs to Foundations, until he left the Foundations in 1970 to join progressive rock band Pluto.

At some stage, the group had dropped the "sound" part of their name and shortened it to simply The Ramongs,[2] or The Ramong.[6]

During his time, Morrison (also known as Ray Morrison) had worked with Trev Thoms.[7]

History and career

Curtis joined the group after hearing from his uncle that the lead singer of the group Ramong, was looking for backing singers and he should give it a try. At this time Curtis' singing experience was more or less limited to singing with his uncle when he came around the house with the guitar.[8] So he joined The Ramong Sound as a backing singer. He later was sharing the lead with Raymond Morrison.[9] The group had a steadily growing reputation and following around the London club scene due to their energetic performances. Morrison and Curtis performed duets.[10] Even though Curtis lacked the experience, he was able to work on his style then.[11]

After the original lead singer, Ramong Morrison, whom the group was named after, was imprisoned for six months,[6] the group attempted to recruit Rod Stewart, but Stewart had other plans.[12] Later, a friend of the band called Joan suggested Arthur Brown as a replacement.[13] When Brown walked in for his rehearsal at the Westbourne Grove bar, he saw the drummer was bent backwards over the bar with Clem leaning over him with a spear at his throat.[14] Contrary to his wild image he had with The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, he was very straight when he joined the band and he didn't drink, smoke or take drugs.[15] While with the group, Brown and Curtis would do songs separately as well as together in Duets. They were covering mainly soul music material. Years later in an interview Brown stated that he was "chuffed" to be singing with Curtis. Incidentally Brown already had his Crazy World band up and running at the same time.[16] Around this time they had gone through a succession of name changes that included The Foundation Sound,[6] The Foundation Squad,[17] and would eventually evolve into The Foundations.[18] Arthur Brown would leave the band after a couple of months.[15]

The group emerged in early 1967 with a new horn section consisting of Dominican trombonist Eric Allandale and Jamaican saxophonists Pat Burke and Mike Elliott filling roles once held by Mike Falana and the other horn player(s). Drummer Tim Harris filled the position once held by Lyndsay Arnold, and Clem Curtis was now the lead singer.

The group had been living in a former gambling den called The Butterfly Club which they ended up running. They were eventually forced out by a protection racket gang and had to move next door into what was described as a squalid disused mini-cab office.[1]

The February 4, 1967 issue of Melody Maker shows a booking for The Ramong Sound (misspelt as The Ramog Sound) at the All-Star Club at 9a Artillery Passage, London E1 on Sunday, February 5, 1967.[19]

The Foundations would go on to have several hits,[20] including "Baby Now That I've Found You" with Clem Curtis on lead vocals[21] and later with Colin Young on "Build Me Up Buttercup".[22]

Later years

Raymond Morrison

Raymond Morrison would record a single "Girl I Want to Hold You" backed with "Money Can't Buy Life", released on the Sugar label in January, 1970. It had a short review by Chris Welch of Melody Maker. Noting Morrison's distinctive vocals and the bright backing beat, he referred to it as A sort of bluebeat come reggae come throat pastille boogaloo.[23]

Later in the late 1970s, Morrison founded his record label, Hawk Records located at 243 Finchley Road, London NW3. He ran it with his wife Tamara. A co-director was Carl Lewis.[24][4] In a duo with Tam (Tamara) called Ram & Tam, he recorded a succession of singles in the late 1970s for the Hawk and Hyfan labels.[25][26] One of their singles, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", released on Hawk HSP in 1979,[27] got onto the reggae chart for a few weeks, and by December 15 that year, it was at no. 25.[28][29] When their record was charting, the Duo had been appearing every Friday and Saturday at the Black-owned Ramaras Club & Restaurant, a venue known for featuring reggae music.[30][29] By 1981, the duo had expanded into a trio called Ram Tam & jo. They had a 12" single "Cherries" released on Hawk HSP 9.[31] Ram & Tam also released an album Love & Life in 1986.[32]

The Ramong name would be used for "Reggae's Back In Town", an Owen Grey release on the Hyfan label. The record was produced by Ramong and Totoman.[33]

Clem Curtis

Clem Curtis quit The Foundations around September, 1968 to embark on a solo career.[34] In 1969, Curtis was in the US and was involved with Cowsills Productions, which was connected to the group The Cowsills. He had signed to Liberty Records with a single "Marie Take A Chance" in the pipeline.[35] He recorded a succession of singles for various labels throughout the 70s,[36][37] and along the way having a disco hit in 1975 with "Unchained Melody"[38] and On Broadway".[39][40] He carried on with releases into the 2000s with the last being Lord Large Feat. Clem Curtis, "Stuck in a Wind Up" / "Move Over Daddy".[36][37] He had also been at the helm of vavrious lineups of The Foundations over the years.[41]

Death

Raymond Morrison died at age 81 in Jamaica in February 2013.[42]

Clem Curtis died aged 76 in March 2017.[43]

Former personnel

References
  1. It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine, July 22, 2011 - Pluto interview with Paul Gardner & Alan Warner
  2. 50 Connect -A Chat With The Foundations' Clem Curtis
  3. Melody Maker, August 31, 1968 - Page 4 Clem to quit Foundations?
  4. BM Black Music & Jazz Review, April 81 Voll 3 Issue 12 - Publisher R.W. Daniell - Page 17 HAWK vs HAWK, Frances Taylor meets RAM, TAM & JO,
  5. "The Foundations singer Clem Curtis has died, age 76". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  6. The Original Pluto Rock Band – The Original Pluto Rock Band, Biography
  7. Barking Spider, October 6. 2005 - Hawkwind artistes JUDGE TREV & JAKI WINDMILL at The R.M.A on Friday.!!!!!
  8. 40 Hits, 40 Stories Behind Top Songs of the 1960s and 1970s, by Rick Simmons (2023) ISBN 978-1-4766-4690-9 (ebook) - Page 183 #33 (R&B Charts), "Baby, Now That I've Found You" (1967), THE FOUNDATIONS
  9. Noise 11, March 28, 2017 - R.I.P. Clem Curtis of The Foundations 1940-2017 by ROGER WINK, VVN MUSIC
  10. Cherry Red Records, June 13, 2022 - NEWS, THE FOUNDATIONS| DISCOVER THE ‘PYE’ RECORDINGS OF THE FOUNDATIONS IN THIS NEW COLLECTION – ‘AM I GROOVIN’ YOU’
  11. Vinilo''negro, 28 marzo, 2017 - Muere a los 76 años, Clem Curtis, vocalista principal, de The Foundations
  12. It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine, 22 July 2011 - Pluto interview with Paul Gardner & Alan Warner, You were in The Foundations and recorded four albums.
  13. Alan Warner Website – THE FOUNDATIONS
  14. Louder, January 15, 2004 - Arthur Brown: Fire Starter by Hugh Fielder
  15. The Little Box Office - The Foundations, Story of The Foundations By Ralph Gowling, Deputy Editor of The Beat magazine
  16. Breznikar, Klemen (22 January 2012). "The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Kingdom Come | Interview". It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  17. Noise 11, MARCH 28, 2017 - R.I.P. Clem Curtis of The Foundations 1940-2017 by ROGER WINK
  18. Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2017, By Harris M. Lentz III, (2017) ISBN 978-1-4766-2912-4 (ebook) - Page 88 Curtis, Clem
  19. Melody Maker, February 4, 1967 - Page 13 CLUBS, THE NEW ALL-STAR CLUB
  20. Goldmine, Jul 25, 2022 - CD box sets for summer 2022, from The Foundations to Bubblerock by David Thompson, The Foundations, Am I Groovin’ You - the Pye Anthology, Strawberry - 3 CDs
  21. The Guardian, March 28, 2017 - Foundations lead singer Clem Curtis dies aged 76 by Kevin Rawlinson
  22. American Songwriter - The Meaning Behind the Classic “Build Me Up Buttercup” by the Foundations, Colin Young BY JACOB UITTI
  23. Melody Maker, January 31, 1970 - NEW POP SINGLES BY CHRIS WELCH, RAYMOND MORRISON: "Girl I Want To Hold You" (Sugar)
  24. Tighten Up!: The History of Reggae in the UK, Michael De Koningh, Marc Griffiths · 2003 - PAGE 248 Name: Hawk
  25. "Raymond Morrison Discography – UK – 45cat". 45cat.com. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  26. "Ram & Tam". discogs. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  27. James Hamilton's Disco Page - RAM & TAM: ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’ (HAWK HSP 8)
  28. Music Week, November 10, 1979 - Page 47 DISCS, RAM & TAM New Single "WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW" in the reggae charts at no. 32
  29. Music Week, December 15, 1979 - Page 32 DISCS, RAM & TAM New Single "WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW" in the reggae charts at no. 25
  30. Black Enterprise, August, 1980 - Page 116 HER MAGESTIE'S ISLES, Pubs, bagpipes, and reggae- all yours in the culturally diverse British Isles, Have a cold beer in a Scottish club and meet the warm, friendly people ...
  31. Music & Video Week, February 14, 1981 - Page 26 SELECT SINGLES Reviewed by TONY JASPER, RAM TAM & JO Cherries (Hawk HSP 9, Indie) 12"
  32. Who Sampled - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by Ram & Tam
  33. Discogs - Hyfan Records, Owen Grey* Reggae's Back In Town (12", Single)
  34. Melody Maker, September 14, 1968 - Page 4 Clem finally Quits
  35. Billboard, April 19, 1969 - Page 4 Curtis, Nicely Signings Mark Cowsills' Management Entry
  36. "Clem Curtis – 45cat Search". 45cat.com. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  37. "Clem Curtis". discogs. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  38. James Hamilton's Disco Page - A full list of all Record Mirror UK Disco Chart entries, 1975-1979, Clem Curtis Unchained Melody (RCA) — 25 August 1979: 75, 3
  39. Music Week, September 1, 1984 - Page 40 ILA AIRPLAY GUIDE, (Independent Airplay Action in UK) TOP 12
  40. Music Week, September 29, 1984 - ILA AIRPLAY GUIDE, (Independent Airplay Action in UK) TOP 10 . . .
  41. Soul Tracks - R.I.P. Clem Curtis, lead singer of The Foundations
  42. Media, Citrus. "Raymond Morrison – Obits Jamaica". obitsjamaica.com. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  43. "Clem Curtis, lead singer of the Foundations – obituary". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
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