St. Clair Lee

Bernard St. Clair Lee (April 24, 1944 – March 8, 2011) was an American rhythm and blues vocalist with the band The Hues Corporation, which had a top ten record on the R&B and pop music charts called "Rock the Boat". The single went to number one in 1974 and sold over two million copies.

Background

Early life Lee was born Bernard St. Clair Lee in San Francisco, California. It has often been erroneously stated that his full birth name was Bernard St. Clair Lee Calhoun Henderson, but he asserts in an interview that, while his ancestry included Calhouns and Hendersons, neither of these were ever part of his official name. He attended Santa Monica College.

Personal life In the late 1960s he was a surfer and was friends with Wally Holmes, a trumpeter, songwriter and surfer residing in Los Angeles who would later be instrumental in his music career.

He and his wife Arlene had one son. He also had two step-children. He lived in Lake Elsinore, California.

Career

Late 1960s to late 1970s Prior to the formation of the Hues Corporation, he was the lead singer of a group called Brothers and Sisters which was formed by Wally Holmes in 1968. Brothers and Sisters were a group with two male and two female singers. Holmes hoped to book them into Las Vegas clubs with an eight-member backing group. The group had the wrong combination of singers and broke up. A trio was formed and it was named the Children of Howard Hughes which was renamed as The Hues Corporation.

Touring with the band took Lee to Europe, South America, The Far East, Australia and New Zealand. He performed for Queen Elizabeth at the same event with Dionne Warwick. He performed with The Jackson 5 in Radio City Music Hall. Lee also shared bills with The Commodores, The Spinners, Dolly Parton and Dinah Shore. After a second moderate success ("Rockin' Soul") with the band and a few more records, The Hues Corporation disbanded sometime around 1980. Whereas some sources claim the year of disbanding as early as 1978, archive footage of a television special for the Chilean TV in 1979 promoting their performance at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival proves the opposite. Furthermore, in 1980 the Hues Corporation released one last single in the US and a sixth album in at least New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa.

Professionally he has also been referred to as Bernard "St. Clair Lee" Henderson and Bernard Henderson.

Later years Lee was responsible for the reactivation of the group and the recruiting of two new members, Elaine Woodard and Bruce Glover. He continued to tour and perform with the band up until his death.

Death Lee died at his home in Lake Elsinore, aged 66. According to a coroners news release, he was found unresponsive in his home at around 8:30 am, March 8, 2011. His death was due to natural causes.

He was survived by his wife, sister, mother, a son and two stepsons. A memorial service was held at the Palisades Lutheran Church, 15905 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades at 11 am on March 19. Former bandmate Hubert Ann Kelley delivered the eulogy. 1973: Freedom for the Stallion - RCA APL1 0323

Compilation - various artists 1984: Ultra Dance - RCA AFLI-5322