David Clayton-Thomas / London, UK 1974 Pre-Broadcast Edition & More

David Clayton-Thomas passed away on June 24, 2026, at the age of 84. While the cause of death has not been disclosed, reports indicate he breathed his last peacefully in a Toronto hospital, free from significant suffering. He was a singular vocalist who anchored the golden era of Blood, Sweat & Tears. Born in the UK and raised in Canada, Clayton-Thomas eventually joined the band in New York. Their second album—*Blood, Sweat & Tears*—released after he joined, topped the US charts for seven weeks and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, surpassing even *Abbey Road*. Songs like “Spinning Wheel,” “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” and “And When I Die”—classics still sung today—were all delivered to the world through his voice. He was a key figure who pioneered the “brass rock” genre, a man who both defined his era and was sometimes buffeted by its currents. Now, that voice has fallen silent forever. To honor this great singer, we are releasing two titles this week. Both are invaluable items that serve as vivid records, testifying to the fact that he was truly there, singing his heart out. We invite you to fully immerse yourself in your memories of Clayton-Thomas. This particular release is the solo video installment of our two-part tribute series. It is a DVD that traces the dynamic performances of David Clayton-Thomas during his lifetime through a selection of high-quality, professionally shot footage. Centered on a prized “main master” recording, the disc also includes a collection of rare TV appearances. Main Feature: “BBC In Concert” (sourced from a master leaked by an insider). The centerpiece of this release is an episode from the BBC’s renowned *In Concert* series—a full-scale studio live performance program broadcast on February 19, 1974. 1974 marked the period when Clayton-Thomas was focusing on his solo career after leaving Blood, Sweat & Tears. Exhausted by the immense pressure that came with the band’s peak success, he had departed the group in 1972 and subsequently released several albums under his own name. This BBC appearance took place right in the midst of that solo era. The performance is an incredibly rare gem, blending timeless classics he famously sang—such as “Spinning Wheel,” “And When I Die,” and “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy”—with repertoire unique to his solo period, including “Professor Longhair,” “Alimony,” and “Yolanda.” The true highlight of this release, however, lies in its provenance. What is presented here is not the broadcast itself, but a “pre-broadcast master” obtained exclusively by our shop from an insider; it is a treasured piece of footage made available specifically in the wake of the recent news of his passing. Upon playback, the program’s identification slate (title board) appears at the start, and a small time counter remains visible in the top-left corner throughout the live set—clear evidence that this is a working master used prior to broadcast. Moreover, it is not merely a rarity; the quality is astonishing. Despite being a working copy, the visuals are of official release caliber. While it naturally retains the analog texture characteristic of 1974 footage, there is absolutely no trace of dubbing artifacts or age-related degradation. Even to the modern eye accustomed to the digital age, the picture quality is breathtakingly beautiful. It is a master recording that vividly brings the young Clayton-Thomas back to life before your eyes, transcending half a century of time. Bonus: Solo appearances on *The Midnight Special* (two segments). Next up is the bonus section, featuring two solo appearances on the legendary US music program *The Midnight Special*. The first is from the August 19, 1972 broadcast, featuring the songs “Yesterday’s Music” and “Nobody Calls Me Prophet.” This captures him shortly after leaving the band, just as he was embarking on his career as a solo singer. The second segment dates to August 16, 1974, featuring performances of “Anytime… Babe” and his signature song, “And When I Die”—a stellar performance that showcases his artistic fulfillment during his solo era. Both segments are sourced from the best available masters for this DVD release; the *Midnight Special* footage, in particular, boasts quality comparable to an official release. As a bonus, the collection concludes with two TV appearances from his former band, Blood, Sweat & Tears. David Clayton-Thomas rejoined the group in 1975, and here you can enjoy his triumphant return to the fold. First up is another *Midnight Special* appearance—this time with the band—featuring “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” and “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know” from the March 14, 1975 broadcast. Finally, there is pro-shot footage from the Monterey Jazz Festival on September 21, 1975. Although it includes only two songs—”One Room Country Shack” and “And When I Die”—the vivid visuals capture him once again taking center stage as the band’s lead vocalist. From his initial solo venture to his return to his old band, this collection allows you to fully experience the voice and presence of David Clayton-Thomas during the mid-1970s. Preserving not just his voice but also his spirited performance—his very image as he sings—is a truly invaluable treasure. This is a collection of pro-shot TV broadcasts featuring David Clayton-Thomas, who passed away on June 24, 2026. The main feature, the 1974 *BBC In Concert*, is sourced from an exclusive pre-broadcast master obtained from an insider; despite being a working copy that includes a small time counter, the visual quality is on par with an official release. While the original footage retains an analog feel, the picture quality is pristine—free from any dubbing artifacts or signs of age-related degradation—making it visually stunning even to modern eyes accustomed to the digital era. Bonus material includes three segments from the legendary program *The Midnight Special*, as well as a Blood, Sweat & Tears performance from the Monterey Jazz Festival (September 21, 1975). All tracks are sourced from the best available masters, creating a video collection that traces Clayton-Thomas’s career in the mid-1970s. BBC Studio, London, England (1974) – PRO-SHOT (Pre-Broadcast Master): An insider-leaked pre-broadcast master featuring an on-screen time counter! 1. Time Counter 2. Spinning Wheel 3. Professor Longhair 4. Alimony 5. And When I Die 6. Yolanda 7. You’ve Made Me So Very Happy DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS The Midnight Special (August 19, 1972) 8. Yesterday’s Music 9. Nobody Calls Me Prophet The Midnight Special (August 16, 1974) 10. Anytime….Babe 11. And When I Die BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS The Midnight Special (March 14, 1975) 12. You’ve Made Me So Very Happy 13. I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know Monterey Jazz Festival (September 21, 1975) 14. One Room Country Shack 15. And When I Die PRO-SHOT COLOR NTSC Approx. 57 min.