About the Author

DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS has sold more than forty million records to date. His 1968 debut album with Blood Sweat & Tears sold ten million copies worldwide and won five Grammy Awards. Clayton-Thomas’s hit songs include “Spinning Wheel,” “Lucretia MacEvil” and “You Made Me So Very Happy.” His rendition of “God Bless the Child” is considered a classic. In 1996 he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. “Spinning Wheel” was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007, and in 2010 David Clayton-Thomas received his star on Canada ’s Walk of Fame. He lives in Toronto .

Reviews

“A remarkable story of redemption…. Clayton-Thomas writes with wry humour and grace in a straightforward style that’s as subtle as a split lip. The reader always feels he’s getting the straight goods…. The book deserves to be as big a hit as ‘Spinning Wheel,’ the best song Clayton-Thomas wrote for the jazz-rock outfit Blood Sweat & Tears…. His book is honest and unflinching. It reveals a man who is tough and cynical, funny as hell, but also vulnerable and insecure. Haunted by his violent childhood, Clayton-Thomas turned himself into a music legend—a singer and songwriter above all things. That’s worth much more than a standing ovation.” - Ottawa Citizen

“David Clayton-Thomas has some skeletons in his closet, but he’s setting them all free and it feels mighty good…. A genuinely inspirational rags-to-riches story.” - Toronto Star

“Clayton-Thomas[’s] memoir shows brilliance…. What’s critical for an autobiography is, first of all, a good story and Clayton-Thomas has one, for sure.” - Winnipeg Free Press

“The David Clayton-Thomas book is an amazing roller coaster ride though the dreams and nightmares of a Canadian kid who, against all odds, became one of Canada’s greatest singer-songwriter-performers. His voice and songs are known everywhere in the world. I knew of his legend and many of the stories but to hear them first hand from his own recollections was a great read for me. David, thanks for the great story and the great music.” - Randy Bachman

“Clayton-Thomas opens his book with an introduction that prepares readers for a raw and honest account of his life. What follows is a highly personal and passionate description of child abuse, prison, poverty, artistic longing, and the price of success.” - Quill & Quire

“Terrifically entertaining…. Clayton-Thomas is a natural storyteller, and Blood, Sweat and Tears is a true page-turner of the rock and roll bio variety.” - See Magazine

“There’s a lot about David Clayton-Thomas that will impress you, besides his rich, raspy voice…. In his memoir, aptly titled Blood, Sweat and Tears, he shares his personal history that reflects and defines a distinctive era in music and pop culture. His is a true rags to riches story…. Clayton-Thomas delivers on his promise to write as “nakedly honest” as possible…. His author’s voice is much like the lyrics to his songs—intuitive, direct and genuine.” - Toronto Books Examiner