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Clout (band)
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Clout was a South African rock group formed in Johannesburg in 1977, best known for their hit single, "Substitute". Originally all-female, the group later included some male musicians, who had played as session musicians on "Substitute".[1]
Key Information
Career
[edit]Clout's first and biggest hit, "Substitute", was a new arrangement of a Righteous Brothers song, composed by Willie Wilson. In 1978, their version reached No. 1 in South Africa, New Zealand and Germany, and reached the top 10 in other countries.[2] It also reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the UK charts for 15 weeks.[3] Due to sanctions against South African artists and performers by UK's Equity at the time, the BBC One television series Top of the Pops used the group's performance of the song on Dutch programme TopPop, from 8 April 1978, to present the hit song for its Top 10 countdown. Clout's cover of "Substitute" reached No. 67 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
Clout scored one more Top 10 single, "Save Me", and two further top 20 hits, "Under Fire" and "You've Got All Of Me".[4]
Clout split up in 1981, shortly after the release of their last major single, a re-arrangement of the Hall and Oates song "Portable Radio". The previous single "Oowatanite" was also a cover, the original being a hit by the Canadian group April Wine.
In 1992, their greatest hits package was released on CD, and it was re-mastered as The Best of Clout in 2010.
In 2005 a reunion CD was recorded, titled Since We've Been Gone. A number of their classic hits were re-recorded, including "Substitute", but most of the tracks were new songs written by Clout. The line up was: Cindy Alter, Ingi Brough, Glenda Miller (Hyam), Jenni Garson, Sandy Robbie, George Vardas, Gary Van Zyl, Denholm Harding and Hylton Brooker.
In 2018, the band had a brief reunion to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their hit single "Substitute". The line-up consisted of Cindy Alter, Ingi Herbst Brough, Glenda Hyam, Gary van Zyl, Connie Bentlage (on saxophones), and Alastair Coakley.[5] In 2020, Cindy Alter, Ingi Herbst Brough, Jenni Garson, and Glenda Hyam had a brief virtual reunion with a performance of "Substitute", edited by Verny Scholtz.[6]
Musicians
[edit]- Cindy Alter (born in Johannesburg, South Africa): lead vocals, guitar (1977–1981, 2018–2019)
- Ilene "Lee" Tomlinson: bass, vocals (1977–1980)
- Ingrid "Ingi" Brough (nee Herbst): drums, vocals (1977–1981, 2018–2019)
- Glenda Hyam: keyboards, guitar, vocals (1977, 2018)
- Jenni Garson: guitar, vocals (1977–1981)
- Ron "Bones" Brettell: keyboards, vocals (1978–1981)
- Sandy Robbie: guitar, vocals (1978–1981)
- Gary van Zyl: bass (1980–1981, 2018–2019)
- Connie Bentlage: saxophone (2018–2019 (reunion tour))
- Alastair Coakley: guitar (2018–2019 (reunion tour))
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- 1978: Substitute (aka Clout)
- 1979: Six of the Best
- 1980: A Threat and a Promise
- 1981: 1977 to 1981 (compilation with one new song)
- 1992: Substitute (Dutch compilation)
- 1992: 20 Greatest Hits (compilation)
- 1994: Clout (German compilation)
- 2007: Since We've Been Gone (compilation with nine new recordings)
- 2010: The Best of Clout (compilation)
Singles
[edit]| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUT [7] |
BE (FLA) [8] |
DEN [9] |
IRE [10] |
GER [11] |
NL [12] |
NZ [13] |
SA [14] |
SWI [15] |
UK [16] |
US [17] |
ZIM [18] | ||
| 1977 | "Substitute" | 10 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 67 | 1 |
| 1978 | "Since You've Been Gone" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| "You've Got All of Me" | 25 | — | — | — | 14 | 17 | — | 16 | — | — | — | 14 | |
| 1979 | "Let It Grow" | — | — | — | — | — | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | — |
| "Save Me" | 14 | 5 | 5 | — | 4 | 6 | — | 7 | 4 | — | — | 1 | |
| "Under Fire" | — | 18 | 6 | — | 15 | 26 | — | 19 | 7 | — | — | 18 | |
| "Oowatanite" | — | — | 8 | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 1980 | "Portable Radio" | — | — | 7 | — | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| "The Best of Me" | — | — | — | — | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 1981 | "Wish I Were Loving You" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released | |||||||||||||
References
[edit]- ^ "Classic South African Pop And Rock Songs". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- ^ "Clout - Substitute - ultratop.be". www.ultratop.be. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 111. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Discografie Clout - ultratop.be". www.ultratop.be. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
- ^ "The Barnyard Theater: Clout". The Barnyard Theater. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
- ^ "Lockdown Edit: "Substitute"". YouTube. 14 June 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
- ^ "Das österreichische Hitparaden- und Musik-Portal". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS". ultratop.be. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "Danish Chart Archive - Singles 1979 - ____ (B.T./IFPI DK)". UKMIX Forums. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "Suche - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". Offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "Dutch Charts". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "New Zealand charts portal". Charts.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (C)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community". Swisscharts.com. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "CLOUT | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "Clout". Billboard. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "World singles charts and sales TOP 50 in 58 countries: CLOUT". World singles charts and sales TOP 50 in 58 countries. 8 November 2016. Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
External links
[edit]Clout (band)
View on GrokipediaHistory
Formation and early career (1977)
Clout formed in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1977 as an all-female rock band comprising Glenda Hyam on vocals and keyboards, Cindy Alter on lead vocals and guitar, Lee Tomlinson on bass and vocals, Jenni Garson on guitar and vocals, and Ingi Herbst on drums and vocals.[2][5] Hyam and Tomlinson brought prior experience from the local scene, having performed with acts including McCully Workshop, while the others joined as emerging talents seeking to establish themselves in rock instrumentation.[6] The group's inception reflected a deliberate push into South Africa's rock landscape, where female performers were underrepresented in instrumental roles, positioning Clout as a novel all-female ensemble amid a genre dominated by male bands.[7] Initial activities centered on rehearsals of original material and covers in Johannesburg, with the members leveraging personal networks from prior gigs to secure early local performances at clubs and venues, despite constraints from rudimentary equipment and limited industry support for women-led rock outfits.[6] By late 1977, these efforts culminated in demo recordings and preparations for a label deal, setting the stage for their first professional releases, though specific producer involvement and South African chart entries emerged the following year.[5] The band's cohesion stemmed from shared determination to challenge prevailing norms, enabling them to build a grassroots following through persistent local appearances before broader recognition.[1]Rise to international fame (1978)
Clout recorded their version of "Substitute"—a cover of the 1975 Righteous Brothers track—under the production of Grahame Beggs, who arranged the pop-rock instrumentation primarily performed by the session band Circus.[8] Released internationally in 1978 following its South African debut the prior November, the single featured the group's layered female vocals over a driving rhythm and guitar riff, emphasizing accessibility and energy.[9] This production choice amplified the song's commercial potential by aligning with late-1970s trends favoring melodic covers amid disco's decline toward more guitar-driven pop.[9] The track achieved rapid chart success in Europe, entering the UK Singles Chart on June 17, 1978, and peaking at No. 2 for two weeks in August, where it was certified Gold for sales exceeding 500,000 units.[3] It topped charts in Germany, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, Belgium, and Ireland, alongside No. 1 positions in New Zealand and sustained high placements elsewhere, driving over a million units sold across markets in its initial run.[9] These results reflected effective marketing through major labels like CBS, which distributed the single despite South Africa's isolation from global entertainment networks due to apartheid-era boycotts limiting artist exports.[9] Public response was enthusiastic, with the song's relatable theme of romantic substitution and Clout's youthful image generating buzz via radio airplay and TV appearances, such as on the Dutch program TopPop in 1978.[10] The breakthrough stemmed from the track's intrinsic catchiness—rooted in a simple, repetitive chorus and mid-tempo groove—outweighing geographic barriers through opportunistic licensing that tapped unmet demand for upbeat, non-disco pop acts. Clout's SARIE Award for Best Vocal Group in 1978 underscored early international validation amid this ascent.[2]Peak success and touring (1979–1980)
In 1979, Clout released the follow-up single "Save Me", a cover of Clodagh Rodgers' 1976 track, which achieved international chart success including number 1 in Zimbabwe, number 4 in Switzerland, and number 5 in Denmark, alongside a domestic peak of number 7 in South Africa.[11][12][13] Later that year, the band issued "Under Fire", reaching number 19 on the South African charts.[13] Their second studio album, Six of the Best, followed in 1979, featuring tracks like "Oowatanite" and "Love Talk" that expanded on their pop-rock sound with covers and originals.[14] The band's momentum carried into 1980 with the release of their third album, A Threat and a Promise, amid continued European promotion. These efforts contributed to Clout's overall sales exceeding 10 million records worldwide by the early 1980s.[15] During this phase, Clout conducted extensive tours across Europe, sharing stages with prominent acts including The Police, Thin Lizzy, Supertramp, and Dire Straits over a four-year period of international activity.[16] Live appearances included performances on European television programs such as TopPop, where they showcased "Save Me" to broad audiences.[17] Clout's empirical achievements were recognized with additional Sarie Awards, including Best Contemporary Music Artist in both 1979 and 1980, bringing their total to five such honors alongside earlier wins for Best Vocal Group and Top 20 Artist in 1978.[2] These accolades, presented by South African broadcasters, underscored their dominance in domestic contemporary music metrics during the peak years.[18]Decline and disbandment (1981)
Following the modest commercial reception of singles like "Oups" in 1980, Clout's subsequent releases marked a clear downturn in chart performance, with their cover of Hall & Oates' "Portable Radio" failing to replicate earlier international successes amid shifting listener preferences away from late-1970s disco-pop toward emerging styles like new wave.[19] This erosion aligned with broader market dynamics, as the post-disco transition reduced demand for the band's upbeat, synth-driven sound, which had propelled hits such as "Substitute" to multi-million sales.[20] The group's third studio album, A Threat and a Promise, released in 1981, represented their final major effort but garnered limited attention and sales compared to prior albums that contributed to over 10 million records sold worldwide by the band's end.[21] Internal strains from repeated lineup adjustments—stemming from earlier departures like Glenda Hyam's exit in 1978—and the physical toll of extensive global touring further compounded these external pressures, rendering sustained operations untenable.[22] These factors culminated in the official disbandment in 1981, shortly after "Portable Radio," without announcement of a farewell tour or transitional projects.[23]Post-disbandment activities and virtual reunion (1980s–2020)
Following the band's disbandment in 1981, Cindy Alter relocated to Los Angeles in 1983 and formed the multi-racial pop-rock group Zia, releasing albums and touring internationally while maintaining a solo career spanning four decades, including a 2021 retrospective collection celebrating her post-Clout work.[24][25] Glenda Hyam provided backing vocals for the band Juluka and transitioned into roles as a music events coordinator in South Africa.[24] Jenni Garson joined the independent label Tusk Records before taking up guitar instruction.[24] Ingrid "Ingi" Herbst relocated to Germany post-disbandment, working as a full-time session musician and performer for approximately 20 years before returning to South Africa.[15] In 2020, during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions that precluded live gatherings, original members Cindy Alter, Glenda Hyam, Jenni Garson, and Ingi Herbst (now Brough) convened for a one-off virtual performance of "Substitute," with video editing handled by producer Verny Scholtz; this nostalgic recording circulated online but prompted no further collaborative output or reformation efforts.[19]Band members
Original lineup
The original lineup of Clout, formed in Johannesburg in 1977, comprised five women whose combined instrumental and vocal talents defined the band's initial pop-rock sound characterized by tight harmonies and energetic performances.[2] This all-female configuration distinguished the group in South Africa's predominantly male-dominated rock scene during the apartheid era, where female-led bands were rare and often faced cultural conservatism. The members' prior involvement in local music circuits contributed to the polished production of their early material, blending rock influences with accessible melodies. Glenda Hyam served as keyboardist and backing vocalist, while also emerging as a key songwriter; her experience with progressive rock outfit McCully Workshop provided the band with sophisticated keyboard arrangements that underpinned their rhythmic drive.[2] Cindy Alter handled guitar and lead vocals, drawing from her teenage years in a heavy-rock cover band performing Led Zeppelin and Grand Funk Railroad material, as well as subsequent touring as an opener for major South African acts, which honed her stage presence and guitar riffs central to the band's guitar-driven energy.[26][25] Lee Tomlinson contributed bass and vocals, her steady low-end lines supporting the foundational groove in initial rehearsals and demos, though specific pre-Clout background remains sparsely documented beyond local scene participation. Jenni Garson played guitar and provided vocals, adding textural layers through dual guitar work that enhanced the band's full, layered sound without prior band affiliations publicly detailed. Ingi Herbst rounded out the rhythm section on drums and vocals, her precise, powerhouse style—rooted in South African pop-rock drumming traditions—propelling the upbeat tempo essential to their breakthrough recordings.[2]Lineup changes and later members
In 1978, following the international breakthrough of "Substitute", keyboardist and vocalist Glenda Hyam departed the group amid increased touring commitments in Europe.[22] To bolster live performances, Clout recruited guitarist Sandy Robbie, formerly of the band Circus, and keyboardist Ron "Bones" Brettell, both of whom had served as session musicians on the "Substitute" recording.[2][13] This addition of male members ended the band's original all-female configuration, enabling expanded instrumentation for concerts while maintaining the core pop-rock sound evident in their 1979 album A Threat and a Promise.[22] Further adjustments occurred in 1980 when bassist and vocalist Ilene "Lee" Tomlinson exited, reportedly due to the rigors of sustained international travel.[7] She was replaced by Gary van Zyl on bass, forming the final pre-disbandment lineup of Cindy Alter (lead vocals, guitar), Jenni Garson (guitar, vocals), Ingrid "Ingi" Herbst (drums, vocals), Brettell (keyboards, vocals), Robbie (guitar), and van Zyl (bass).[7] These personnel shifts coincided with reduced recording activity after 1979, as the group prioritized live obligations but faced challenges in replicating early chart success, culminating in their disbandment in 1981.[13]Musical style and influences
Core elements and evolution
Clout's music centered on a pop-rock foundation infused with disco elements, emphasizing catchy melodies, strong vocal harmonies from their all-female core lineup, and energetic rhythms designed for broad appeal.[27][28] Instrumentation typically included electric guitars for driving riffs, keyboards for melodic support, bass, and drums forming a tight rhythm section, as heard in tracks like "Substitute," where layered female vocals and prominent guitar lines create a hook-driven structure.[29][28] Their breakthrough single "Substitute," a 1977 cover released internationally in 1978 and produced by Grahame Beggs, exemplified this sound with its polished arrangement blending rock energy and pop accessibility, featuring synchronized harmonies over a mid-tempo groove.[30][29] Early output, rooted in Johannesburg's local scene, leaned on rawer rock covers and straightforward instrumentation before international exposure refined their production.[31] As the band transitioned to full albums like Substitute (1978) and Six of the Best (1979), their sound evolved toward greater orchestration, incorporating strings and horns on certain tracks to add depth beyond basic rock setups, influenced by ABBA's layered pop arrangements.[32] This shift reflected professional studio techniques in Europe, moving from initial demo-like simplicity to more sophisticated, radio-friendly polish while retaining core elements of vocal interplay and guitar-led hooks.[32] Lineup adjustments in the late 1970s introduced male session players but preserved the band's signature harmonious, upbeat pop-rock identity through their 1981 disbandment.[27]South African context
Clout operated within South Africa's musically insular environment during the late apartheid period, where international cultural boycotts primarily targeted inbound performances by foreign artists, creating barriers to global exchange but allowing domestic acts to pursue export through licensing arrangements with overseas labels.[33] The band's 1978 single "Substitute," initially released locally via CBS Records, was licensed to RCA for European distribution, enabling chart penetration in markets like the UK (#2) and Germany (#1) despite limited direct access to international promotion networks.[13] This strategy circumvented isolation by leveraging the song's inherent commercial appeal—a upbeat, synth-driven cover of the 1975 Righteous Brothers track—rather than relying on live tours or political endorsements. In the local scene, dominated by male-led rock and pop outfits amid conservative gender expectations, Clout's original all-female lineup of Glenda Hyam (vocals), Cindy Alter (guitar/vocals), Lee Tomlinson (keyboards), Jenni Garson (bass), and Ingi Herbst (drums) marked a departure from prevailing norms, achieving empirical validation through sustained radio dominance.[2] "Substitute" held the #1 position on Springbok Radio's national charts for seven weeks in 1978, accumulating 321 points—the fourth-highest score for a local act that year—and propelled the band to multiple SARIE Awards, including Best Vocal Group (1978) and Best Contemporary Music Artist (1978–1980).[34] These metrics underscored viability in a market where female-led rock groups were scarce, with success attributable to polished production and vocal harmonies aligning with global disco-pop trends, independent of regime-affiliated narratives often retroactively imposed on apartheid-era outputs.[35]Discography
Studio albums
Clout's debut studio album, Substitute (also released as Clout in certain markets), appeared in 1978 via Carrere Records.[36] Produced by Grahame Beggs, it included tracks such as "Hiding from Love," "Portable Radio," and "Oowatanite," highlighting the band's energetic pop-rock style with guitar-driven arrangements and vocal harmonies.[37] The album's production emphasized studio polish, drawing from South African rock influences while aiming for international appeal.[38] The follow-up, Six of the Best, was issued in 1979 on the Sunshine label.[39] This release maintained the group's core sound but incorporated tighter song structures and varied tempos, with notable non-single tracks like "Feel My Need" and "Mr. Casual," reflecting a slight evolution toward more concise pop elements.[5] Regional pressings varied, with some editions under Epic Records for broader distribution.[40] A Threat and a Promise, the third and final primary studio album, came out in 1980.[41] Featuring compositions like "You" and "Dead Telephone," it showcased production refinements amid lineup stability, though sales tapered as the band's momentum waned.[42] The album's tracklist prioritized melodic hooks over experimentation, underscoring Clout's limited but focused output of three core studio efforts before disbandment.[43]Singles and compilations
Clout's breakthrough single, "Substitute", released in March 1978, topped the South African charts and reached number one in Germany and New Zealand.[13] It peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, where it spent 15 weeks. The single sold over one million copies in Germany alone.[27] Subsequent releases included "You've Got All of Me" (1978), "Save Me" (1979), which achieved top positions in South African charts with significant climbs, and "Under Fire" (1979), peaking at number 19 in South Africa.[13][44][45] Later singles such as "Oowatanite" (1980) and "Portable Radio" (1980) received regional airplay but lower chart placements.| Single | Release Year | Notable Chart Peaks |
|---|---|---|
| Substitute | 1978 | #1 (South Africa, Germany, New Zealand); #2 (UK)[13] |
| You've Got All of Me | 1978 | Top 20 (South Africa)[13] |
| Save Me | 1979 | Top 10 (South Africa)[44] |
| Under Fire | 1979 | #19 (South Africa)[45] |
| Oowatanite | 1980 | Regional charts (Europe) |
| Portable Radio | 1980 | Regional airplay (Europe) |
