July 1-2, 2026
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Music has lost a giant today. David Clayton Thomas was an incredible singer and songwriter who went from the tough bars of Yonge Street in Toronto to the biggest stages in the world.
We were honoured to meet him at a benefit show we took part in on a wintry night at the Regent Park School of Music in Toronto, Feb. 12, 2015, which raised money for music lessons for at-risk kids. Friendly and affable, he was just what you had hoped for. A local TV crew was there to interview him and were setting up. Just then, they got called away to some fender-bender down the street and quickly packed up and left. No doubt feeling a bit, shall we say, PO'd, DCT wryly commented "That would never happen in America." What a guy! "Good night sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."
I had the honour of meeting him through a Jazz safari with Jazz FM back in 2016. The further honour was when he accepted to record a duet with me on my second album back in 2017. I was just 15 years old. We had sung an arrangement of 'You've Got A Friend in Me'. He was kind enough to indulge this little girl and my career aspirations.His own story of success is an amazing journey that we could all learn from. He definitely had a friend in me. Loved his dog too!Rest in Peace! 💛 David Clayton-Thomas
I was very sorry to hear of the passing of David Clayton-Thomas. I’m grateful to have known him, had many spirited conversations and shared the stage with him. Such an iconic voice. He was a force of nature, sharp wit, a generous soul and a good friend. My deepest condolences to his daughter Ashleigh. He is missed.
I met David at the Friars Tavern on Yonge Street during a Levon and the Hawks matinee one Saturday in 1965. Same day I met Ronnie Hawkins. I was 14.
It was the Golden Era of Toronto Bars and the groups were incredible, tight and they polished their shoes. David was wearing a pink stage suit but I highly doubt that any of the local rounders there raised an eyebrow in his direction. He was as tough as his voice and not to be meddled with.
This isn’t my loss, this is the Toronto Music Scenes loss.
LEGEND isn’t a big enough word…
He could be a difficult man. DCT was opinionated and proud of it. In his earliest days up in Willowdale David Clayton Thomas was Sonnie Thomas and we heard he was considering boxing as a career. His band, the Shays were the quintessential Toronto Sound Group. Here was authentic Canadian Blues Rock. The Shays early singles will still raise the hair on the back of your neck today.
His voice was the prototype for beer commercials. Others copied his gruff tone: Carlsberg Light, All Right! Have a listen to his post Shays recording of Brainwashed! Pure genius. David's move to Blood Sweat and Tears took him into the international spotlight. The sound predated many others bringing Jazz into the Rock mix. And they topped the Pop charts.
David was an international celebrity, seen making music with everyone from Louis Armstrong to Frank Zappa. He was especially proud of his affiliation with Louis. In later years DCT moved back to Toronto and made some decent recordings, often being spotted around town. It was in this era that he and I finally connected....
Video above courtesy of Curtis Hayden
Video above courtesy of Midnight Special
Video above courtesy of David Clayton-Thomas - Topic
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