Clarence Junior Lewis (August 20, 1934 – February 26, 2016), better known by his stage name C.L. Blast, was an American

soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...

singer. Lewis was born in

Birmingham, Alabama Birmingham ( ) is a city in the north central region of Alabama, United States. It is the county seat of Jefferson County, Alabama, Jefferson County. The population was 200,733 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List ...

in 1934. His first record was "Your Heart Must Be Made of Stone" recorded for Bobby Robinson's Red Robin records in New York in 1955. In 1957, he was drafted into the Army. He entertained troops for two years touring military bases. After his Army stint, he recorded "Cupid's Little Helper" with Robinson's Fury Records in 1960. In 1960 he recorded two singles as "Little Junior Lewis". From 1961 to 1963, as "Junior Lewis", he recorded another four singles. From 1967, he started recording as C.L. Blast. He released "I'll Take The Case" (B-side "If I Could See My Baby's Face Again") on

Atlantic Records Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over the course of its first two decades, starting from the release of its first recor ...

in 1969. His first successful single as C.L. Blast was "What Can I Do (When My Thrill Is Gone)", released on the New York City-based

United Records United Records was an American record company and label founded in Chicago by Leonard Allen and Lew Simpkins in 1951. United issued records by such artists as Tab Smith, Jimmy Forrest, Gene Ammons, Memphis Slim, Roosevelt Sykes, the Four B ...

label (1971).''Blues & Soul'' – Issues 461-473, 1986 – p. 20, "His first single as C.L. Blast was "What Can I Do (When My Thrill Is Gone)" on the New York based United label. But the single was most likely recorded down south as arrangements were from Wardell Quezergue. The topside wasn't too bad with a surging rhythm and wailing guitar but the overlong flip is notable only for Blast's gritty vocal." C.L. Blast died on February 26, 2016, at age 81.

References

1934 births 2016 deaths American soul singers Musicians from Birmingham, Alabama United States Army soldiers Atlantic Records artists {{US-singer-stub