Let us celebrate the memory of the American singer and songwriter Lee Clayton, who would have turned 81 today, if he hadn’t passed away in June earlier this year. This great songwriter was the man behind Waylon Jennings’ country hit Ladies Love Outlaws, which became sort of an anthem on the outlaw country scene in the 1970’s. The Highwaymen also had a hit with one of Lee Clayton’s songs.
Unfortunately Lee Clayton is mostly forgotten today. Although he released six albums between 1973 and 1994, he never really pursued his own musical career. The most success he had, was in Norway, Germany and Ireland from the late 1970’s and through the 80’s. In the US he remained unknown. Which I think is a shame, because Lee Clayton was brilliant songwriter. Three of his albums are classics.
To celebrate Lee Clayton’s memory, here is the song 10,000 Years/Sexual Moon, taken from his best album Naked C___d from 1979.
I did see Lee Clayton live once in 1988, backed by a band of Norwegian musicians. The gig was at a small club in Oslo, and it was a great thirill to see this remarkable songwriter up close.