Active until 1978 | Genre Rock music | |
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Years active 1967 (1967)–1978 (1978) Associated acts Past members Alex CallJohn McFeeJohn CiambottiMitch HowieHuey LewisJeff PorcaroSean HopperMarcus Grossman (aka Marcus David)Kirk HarwoodMicky ShineTony BraunagelKevin WellsDaniel Lenard Albums Fourty-Niner, Clover, The Way We Are, Grounded, Split Members Huey Lewis, Alex Call, John McFee, Sean Hopper, Jeff Porcaro | ||
Clover was an American country rock band formed in Mill Valley, California, in 1967. They are best known as the backup band for Elvis Costello's 1977 debut album My Aim Is True (recorded in the UK), and for members later forming or joining more successful acts, including Huey Lewis and the News, The Doobie Brothers, Toto, and Lucinda Williams. Clover originally disbanded in 1978. Three members reunited for two concerts backing Costello in San Francisco on November 8, 2007.
Contents
History
Formed by members of the band Tiny Hearing Aid Company, Clover's sound moved on from Bay Area psychedelia to the burgeoning country rock sound, similar to Creedence Clearwater Revival. 1970 saw their debut self-titled album released on Fantasy Records (also Creedence's label), and a 1971 follow-up entitled Fourty Niner [sic]. Later the band moved to the UK and recorded Unavailable and Love on the Wire (both in 1977 and early efforts by producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange), before McFee, Ciambotti, Hopper and Shine backed Elvis Costello on his debut album My Aim Is True. Clover toured as the support group for Thin Lizzy in the UK during the late 1970s.
After Clover
After Clover originally disbanded in 1978 the ex-members returned home to the USA. Alex Call recorded as a solo artist and wrote hits for Huey Lewis and many other artists, including Tommy Tutone's "867-5309/Jenny". Lewis and Hopper formed Huey Lewis and the News, later recording hits with Lange. McFee joined Southern Pacific and The Doobie Brothers, and also played sessions for Elvis Costello. Ciambotti played sessions for Lucinda Williams, John Prine, and Carlene Carter, and became a chiropractor in Toluca Lake, California. Porcaro had a prolific career as a session musician and co-founded the band Toto. Shine briefly became a member of Tommy Tutone but left the band before they recorded Call's "867-5309".
Carlene Carter covered two of Clover's songs ("Love Is Gone" and "Mr. Moon," both written by Call), then later recorded two songs, "Ring Of Fire" and "Too Proud," with McFee, Ciambotti and Hopper.
Three members of Clover — McFee, Ciambotti, and Hopper — reunited for two concerts backing Elvis Costello in San Francisco on November 8, 2007. The concerts raised funds for the Richard de Lone Special Housing Fund, a non-profit organization designed to help those with Prader-Willi Syndrome.
Founding member Dr. John P. Ciambotti died on March 24, 2010, in Glendale, California, at the age of 67. He had undergone surgery for an abdominal aneurysm.
Founding members (1967–1978)
Later members
Singles
Albums
Songs
Stealin'Clover · 2012
Wade In The WaterClover · 2012
Ain't Nobody Own Nobody's Soul2009