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Blood, Sweat & Tears Vocalist David Clayton-Thomas Passes Away at 84

David Clayton-Thomas, the Canadian singer-songwriter known for his soulful voice and his work as the lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears, has died at 84. His publicist confirmed the news, though no cause of death was provided.

Variety Music·Jun 25, 2026·via Variety Music

Blood, Sweat & Tears Vocalist David Clayton-Thomas Passes Away at 84

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Jun 25, 2026 6:32am PT

Blood, Sweat & Tears Singer David Clayton-Thomas Dies at 84

By Jem Aswad

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Jem Aswad

Executive Editor, Music

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David Clayton-Thomas , the Canadian singer and songwriter whose soulful voice was ubiquitous on American radio in the late 1960s and early ‘70s as lead singer of the brass-driven group Blood, Sweat & Tears, has died, according to his publicist. No cause of death was cited except that he died peacefully at a Toronto hospital on Wednesday evening; he was 84.

Clayton-Thomas wrote “Spinning Wheel,” the group’s most well-known original composition, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969, one of three songs by the band to reach that mark in that year; “When I Die” and the powerful ballad “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” also reached No. 2, powered by Clayton-Thomas’ unmistakable voice. The group won two Grammys in 1970, including best album.