Harold Clayton

• Died: August 31, 2000, Los Angeles, CA
• Genres: Jazz
• Instrument: Vocals

Biography

Harold Clayton co-wrote the SOS Band's number one R&B platinum dance smash, "Take Your Time (Do It Right)." A high school friend of his, Sigidi Abdallah, was given a production assignment by Tabu Records president Clarence Avant to work with an Atlanta, GA-based band called Santa Monica. One day, Clayton stopped by while Abdallah was trying to come up with some song ideas. The two eventually came up with the basic structure of what would become "Take Your Time (Do It Right)." The band now known as the S.O.S. Band recorded what would be their biggest hit. The two-million selling "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" remained at number one R&B for five weeks,and went to number three pop on Billboard's charts in spring 1980. It was on their debut LP S.O.S. which parked at number two R&B for three weeks and made it to number 12 pop in summer 1980. It's listed on Club Epic, Vol. 1: A Collection of Classic Dance Mixes, Disco Years, Vol. 5: Must Be the Music, and Billboard Top Hits: 1980. At the age of 53, Harold Clayton died in an automobile accident in Los Angeles, CA in fall 2000. Around that same time, Sigidi Abdallah and members of the S.O.S. Band laughingly recalled how the band initially rebuffed their career-making song in an appearance on cable channel VH1's The 100 Greatest Dance Songs. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide