Charlie Clark

Charles Herbert ‘Charlie’ Clark was a Canadian guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, producer and recording artist born in Saint John, New Brunswick. His career extended from the Maritime and Montréal music scenes of the late 1960s through the international success of The Bells and into his later independent recording and production work in Toronto.

Clark first worked in Montréal with fellow Saint John musicians Ken Tobias and Mike Waye in Book of Tobias. After Tobias left Canada to pursue opportunities in Los Angeles, Clark and Waye joined the reorganized lineup of The Bells, with Clark serving as guitarist and vocalist.

Clark became part of The Bells during the group’s most successful period. He played guitar on ‘Stay Awhile,’ the Ken Tobias composition that reached number one in Canada and number seven in the United States, and performed with the band during the success of ‘Fly Little White Dove, Fly.’ The Bells’ popularity brought extensive touring and appearances on major American television programs, establishing the group internationally.

In 1973, Clark made his first solo vocal recording with ‘Johnny’s Garden’ b/w ‘To a Flame,’ released by Polydor under the name Charlie Clark of The Bells. Both Stephen Stills compositions had also appeared on The Bells’ album Pisces Rising. ‘Johnny’s Garden’ received Canadian radio exposure during late 1973 and early 1974.

Clark later settled in Toronto, where he continued writing, producing and developing independent recordings. His Riptide Records single ‘You’re the One I Love’ b/w ‘Good Times and Bad’ featured two original compositions written and published by Clark and co-produced with Jim Morgan. Issued in 1980–81, the record documents his transition from major-label group member to independent singer-songwriter, producer and label operator.

By 1982, Clark was also producing new recordings by former Bells vocalist Jacki Ralph, demonstrating that his professional relationship with the group’s members continued beyond their principal recording career.

Clark eventually returned to Saint John, where he remained involved in local music, performed with several groups and taught guitar at Fullerton Music Studio. His career connected the Saint John and Montréal music communities with one of Canada’s most successful early-1970s pop groups, while his later solo recordings preserved a more personal side of his work as a songwriter and independent artist.

-Robert Williston