The Clovers – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts
The Clovers Biography
The Clovers, known for Love Potion No.9, were formed in 1946 in Washington D.C. The original band members were Harold Lucas, Billy Shelton and Thomas Woods. A fourth member, John “Buddy” Bailey was added soon after, with the band peforming under the name of the Four Clovers. The other members ( at various times) comprised of Charlie White, Matthew McQuater, Bill Harris, Billy Mitchell, John Philip, Charles R. Stevens, James Toy Walton, Robert Russell, Roosevelt Hubbard, Nathaniel Bouknight, Peggy Winley Mills, Ann Winley, Jimmy Taylor, Daniel Abbott, Edward Bowers, Juan Hawkins, Johnny Mason, William Rawlings, Antwan Drayton, Prentiss Floyd, Tye Lovell. The Clovers did not follow the “pop” singing style.Their easily identifiable sound was based on a combination of blues and gospel.
The Clovers released their first album, The Clovers, in 1956. They have released four studio albums ( the Clovers, Dance Party, In Clover, Lovebug, Love Potion Number Nine) between 1956 and 1965. The clovers reached the national charts 21 times between 1951 and 1959.
They have won Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award.
Their first Atlantic release was “Do not You Know That I Love You So,” which sold a quarter of a million copies; the follow-up album, “Fool, Fool, Fool,” sold even better, half a million copies, and “One Mint Julip” was nearly certified gold. Of their first nine records on Atlantic, three were number one rhythm and blues hits, three reached number two, and two went to number three.
In 1951, the Clovers with their first major hit, ‘Don’t You Know I Love You’, reached number 1 on the national charts in June of that year.
The single Fool, Fool, Fool peaked at No.1
The single One Mint Julip peaked at No. 1
The single Middle Of The Light peaked at No. 3
The single Ting A Ling peaked at No. 1
Non album track Wonder Where My Baby’s Gone peaked at No. 7
The single Hey, Miss Fannie peaked at No. 2
The single I Played the Fool peaked at No. 3
The single Crawlin peaked at No. 3
The single Good Lovin peaked at No. 2
Non album track Comin’ On peaked at No. 9
The single Lovey Dovey peaked at No. 2
The single Little Mama peaked at No. 4
The single Your Cash Ain’t Nothin’ But Trash peaked at No. 6
The single I’ve Got My Eyes On You peaked at No. 7
The single Nip Sip peaked at No. 10
The single Devil or Angel peaked at No.3
Non album track Hey, Doll Baby peaked at No. 8
The single Love, Love, Love peaked at No. 4
John Bailey was the first lead singer of the Clovers. In 1952 John Bailey called up for national service and John Phillip was drafted to replace him then Charlie White. In 1953, Billy Mitchell became the lead tenor.
They have released their last studio album “Love Potion No 9” for United Artist in 1959. The group disbanded in the early 1960s and two new groups of the Clovers, one led by Bailey and one led by Lucas, toured the country.
The Clovers Discography
| The Winley Recordings 1957-62 | |
| Down In The Alley: The Best Of The Clovers | |
| Love Potion No. 9 | |
| The Clovers (“Blue Velvet”) | |
| The Clovers | |
| Dance Party | |
| The Clovers (Don’t You Know I love you) |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who Was The Lead Singer For The Clovers?
The lead singer for the clovers was Harold Lucas. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Lucas is considered one of the pioneers of doo-wop music. He died in 2000.
Who Originally Sang Love Potion No 9?
The song “Love Potion No. 9” was originally sung by the Clovers in 1959. The song was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
Most Searched For Clovers Songs
| Devil or Angel | |
| Love Potion No. 9 | |
| One mint Julep | |
| Wrapped Up In a Dream | |
| Blue Velvet | |
| Hey, Miss fannie | |
| Lovey Dovey | |
| Love Love Love | |
| Nip Sip | |
| Don’t You know I Love You |