Blood, Sweat & Tears singer David Clayton-Thomas dies at 84

David Clayton-Thomas, the Canadian singer best known as the lead voice of Blood, Sweat & Tears in the 1960s and 1970s, has died at 84. His public relations team said he died peacefully in a Toronto hospital, and did not disclose a cause of death.

Clayton-Thomas was one of the writers behind "Spinning Wheel," one of the band’s signature songs, which reached No. 2 on the U.S. chart, was nominated for three Grammy Awards and won one. Born in England, he moved with his family to Toronto after World War II. By 14, he was homeless, and much of his youth was marked by trouble with the law and stints in detention facilities and prisons.

He began breaking through as a musician in the 1960s with David Clayton-Thomas and the Fabulous Shays before moving to New York and later joining Blood, Sweat & Tears after a short breakup. The new lineup drew the attention of music executive Clive Davis, who later called Clayton-Thomas "breathtaking." Clayton-Thomas said the band’s mix of classical musicians, Juilliard-trained players, Berkeley jazz musicians and rock and R&B performers made it unusual.

The first album he recorded with the group sold 10 million copies worldwide, spent 109 weeks on the U.S. chart and won five Grammy Awards. The band also scored hits including "And When I Die" and "You’ve Made Me So Very Happy." Asked whether he expected such success, he said, "I don't want to sound arrogant, but yes," adding that the first time he sang with the band was "one of those electrifying moments that just happen."

He left Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1972 because he was tired of life on the road. Later, he released solo albums, formed a 10-piece band in Toronto in the 2000s and kept performing. He also worked with charities helping at-risk youth and published a memoir in 2010.