Renowned blues and soul artist W.C. Clark passed away at the age of 84 on March 2, 2024, due to natural causes. Born Wesley Curley Clark on November 16, 1939, his multifaceted career spanned over seven decades, commencing with his inaugural performance at 16.
Clark’s musical career was marked by eight album releases and numerous live performances, earning him the title “The Godfather Of Austin Blues.” Notable for his mentorship of emerging talents, he played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of artists such as Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan, Angela Strehli, and Lou Ann Barton. His songwriting skill, highlighted by co-authoring Stevie’s iconic track “Cold Shot,” solidified his legacy in the blues genre.
Clark’s early years saw him as a fixture in Austin’s club scene before embarking on a tour with soul luminary Joe Tex in the mid-1960s. Upon his return to Austin in the early 1970s, he witnessed a burgeoning blues scene and formed influential bands like Southern Feeling and The W.C. Clark Blues Revue, sharing stages with legends like James Brown and B.B. King. Notably, his collaboration with Stevie Ray Vaughan in the Triple Threat Revue elevated his national profile.
A milestone event in Clark’s career occurred on his 50th birthday in 1989 when he was featured on the influential PBS TV show Austin City Limits alongside his protégés and fellow musicians. Subsequently, Clark’s discography expanded with releases on labels like Black Top and Alligator Records, garnering praise from critics and fans alike for his distinct mix of Texas blues and soul.
In his later years, Clark scaled back touring to focus on performances in Texas, maintaining a rigorous schedule as a solo artist and with his band. His contributions to the music scene were recognized with inductions into various halls of fame and accolades, including a Special Citation of Achievement from BMI for “Cold Shot.”
Clark’s final performance took place on February 20, 2024, before his hospitalization and subsequent transfer to hospice care. He is survived by his siblings, daughter, and grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on March 14, 2024, in Austin, Texas, with interment at the Texas State Cemetery.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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he was a gigantic part of my twenties living in Austin seeing them several times a week on Barton Springs free concerts down at Auditorium Shores of course Antones.
here’s a shout out to George his drummer Frosty and others in the Blues review.
we are but a vapor to an incredibly long and amazing life