Rudy Clark
Encyclopedia
Rudy Clark is an American
songwriter
about whom little biographical information seems to be known. Supposedly a former mail carrier
hailing from New York City
, he was most active from the early 1960s through the early 1970s. He wrote songs for James Ray (and indeed may have discovered the singer), including Ray's moody 1962 R&B and regional pop hit "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody", later a hit for "Freddie and the Dreamers
", as well as "Got My Mind Set On You
", which became a No. 1 US and No. 2 UK hit for George Harrison
in 1987. Clark was a close friend of Bobby Darin
, who owned TM Music/Trio, the music company that employed Clark. Clark and Darin collaborated on several hits including "Do the Monkey."
Clark then wrote the Top Ten soul classic "It's in His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song)", recorded by Betty Everett
in 1964, which would be frequently revisited by other artists (most notably in the version that became a worldwide hit for Cher
in 1991) in subsequent years. Clark co-wrote "Good Lovin'", recorded by The Olympics
in 1965 and then remade as a #1 hit by The Young Rascals the following year. Other Clark compositions include "Everybody's Got to Make a Fool Out of Somebody", recorded by Barbara Mason
, and "Fool, Fool, Fool", recorded in 1964 by Little Joey & the Flips and then covered by Roosevelt Grier, the A-Cads, and Ray Brown & The Whispers
, with the last two representations reaching #1 in South Africa
and Australia
respectively. Her song "Waddle, Waddle" featured in the film "Hairspray".
Clark was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song
for his lead contribution in writing the 1972 Top Five hit "Everybody Plays the Fool
" by The Main Ingredient. Beyond pop hits, Clark wrote several songs for the early 1970s Harlem Globetrotters
cartoon series.
Besides being heard on oldies
radio, Clark's material has also found its way to the Broadway theatre
, making reference to André DeShields
' Haarlem Nocturne (1984) and Marion J. Caffey's Street Corner Symphony (1997).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
about whom little biographical information seems to be known. Supposedly a former mail carrier
Mail carrier
A mail carrier, mailman, postal carrier, postman, postwoman , postman/postwoman , letter carrier or postie is an employee of the post office or postal service, who delivers mail and parcel post to residences and businesses...
hailing from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, he was most active from the early 1960s through the early 1970s. He wrote songs for James Ray (and indeed may have discovered the singer), including Ray's moody 1962 R&B and regional pop hit "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody", later a hit for "Freddie and the Dreamers
Freddie and the Dreamers
Freddie and the Dreamers were an English band who had a number of hit records between May 1963 and November 1965. Their stage act was based around the comic antics of the 5-foot-3-inch-tall Freddie Garrity, who would bounce around the stage with arms and legs flying. The group remained active...
", as well as "Got My Mind Set On You
Got My Mind Set on You
"Got My Mind Set on You" is a song written by Rudy Clark and originally recorded by James Ray in 1962.It is best known for the cover version released by George Harrison in 1987.- George Harrison version :...
", which became a No. 1 US and No. 2 UK hit for George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
in 1987. Clark was a close friend of Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin , born Walden Robert Cassotto, was an American singer, actor and musician.Darin performed in a range of music genres, including pop, rock, jazz, folk and country...
, who owned TM Music/Trio, the music company that employed Clark. Clark and Darin collaborated on several hits including "Do the Monkey."
Clark then wrote the Top Ten soul classic "It's in His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song)", recorded by Betty Everett
Betty Everett
Betty Everett was an African-American soul singer and pianist, best known for her biggest hit single, the million-selling "The Shoop Shoop Song ".-Early career:...
in 1964, which would be frequently revisited by other artists (most notably in the version that became a worldwide hit for Cher
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
in 1991) in subsequent years. Clark co-wrote "Good Lovin'", recorded by The Olympics
The Olympics (band)
The Olympics were an American doo-wop group, formed in 1957 by lead singer Walter Ward . The group included Eddie Lewis , Charles Fizer , Walter Hammond and Melvin King and except for Lewis were friends in a Los Angeles, California, high school...
in 1965 and then remade as a #1 hit by The Young Rascals the following year. Other Clark compositions include "Everybody's Got to Make a Fool Out of Somebody", recorded by Barbara Mason
Barbara Mason
Barbara Mason is an American R&B/soul singer best known for her 1965 hit song, "Yes, I'm Ready".-Career:A soul singer, Mason initially focused on songwriting when she entered the music industry in her teens...
, and "Fool, Fool, Fool", recorded in 1964 by Little Joey & the Flips and then covered by Roosevelt Grier, the A-Cads, and Ray Brown & The Whispers
Ray Brown & The Whispers
. For other uses of Whispers, see Whispers page.Ray Brown & The Whispers were a highly successful Australian rock band from 1964 to 1967...
, with the last two representations reaching #1 in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
respectively. Her song "Waddle, Waddle" featured in the film "Hairspray".
Clark was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song
Grammy Award for Best R&B Song
The Grammy Award for Best R&B Song has been awarded since 1959. From 1969 to 2000 it was known as the Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Song, from 1962 to 1968 it was known as Best Rhythm & Blues Recording, and from 1959-1961 as Best Rhythm & Blues Performance...
for his lead contribution in writing the 1972 Top Five hit "Everybody Plays the Fool
Everybody Plays the Fool
"Everybody Plays the Fool" is the title of a popular song written by J.R. Bailey, Rudy Clark and Ken Williams. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best R&B Song at the 1973 ceremony....
" by The Main Ingredient. Beyond pop hits, Clark wrote several songs for the early 1970s Harlem Globetrotters
Harlem Globetrotters (TV series)
Harlem Globetrotters was a Saturday morning cartoon produced by Hanna-Barbera and CBS Productions, featuring animated versions of players from the basketball team, Harlem Globetrotters....
cartoon series.
Besides being heard on oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
radio, Clark's material has also found its way to the Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
, making reference to André DeShields
André DeShields
André De Shields is an American actor, singer, dancer, acclaimed novelist, choreographer, and college professor....
' Haarlem Nocturne (1984) and Marion J. Caffey's Street Corner Symphony (1997).