And the hits just keep on coming, except none of these songs were ever hits. Here’s another nice song from 1966 by a mysterious group called The Claytons. All I know about these guys is that they’re from Fort Wayne, Indiana. They might by the same Claytons who did a cover of Buffalo Springfield’s For What It’s Worth on Columbia 44941 in 1969, but that could be a different group. Despite my attempts to find these guys, they remain completely unknown. I’m assuming that the group consisted of at least two people, probably brothers, with the last name Clayton. If you know anything about them, please let me know!
The flip side of this record is a garage rock track called Puttin’ Me On, and it appears on at least three compilation CDs. But this side is actually my favorite. It’s a good “teener” song with very good lyrics.
Here’s Need Mine Too by The Claytons:
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This is my Uncle Stephen Zimmerman singing. I love that you put it here.
Thanks for checking in, Laura. Every piece of information helps. Your uncle must be Stephen Harley Zimmerman, right? If so, he was born in 1941, which means he was 25 when he made this record. He's now the President of Zimmerman Brothers Excavating at 3919 Goshen Road in Fort Wayne. Have I got the right guy? What more do you know about his band?
Joe,
I can provide a lot of info on the Claytons.
"Need Mine Too" and "Puttin Me On" were recorded at Music City Studios in Nashville on April 1, 1966 on a single track. The "Need Mine Too" and "Puttin Me On" 45 was a Silver Dollar Extra on WLS, a pick hit by Johnny Rabbit on KXOK, CKLW had it as a pick hit, and WOWO Ft Wayne’s 50,000 watt clear channel station gave it a lot of play. Unfortunately we were a bunch of kids with a rented label and no distribution, but for a few weeks it was great to change channels and find these songs playing simultaneously on different stations.
The Claytons was formed on the north side of Ft Wayne by two brothers Dan and Bill Yaffe and had several names over its 3 or 4 year life ranging from The Claytons to the Phenomenal Claytons Pop Combo. Dan, the drummer, and Bill, organist, singer, song writer, Rick Armstrong Lead guitar, and I were the constants. In “Need Mine Too” that is Armstrong making his 6 string Gibson sound like a 12 string. And, yes, that is Steve Zimmerman with the velvet voice singing “Need Mine Too.” Steve was bass guitar during that period of Claytons’ existence. Earlier Steve sang an up-beat version of “Summer Time”, on a Clayton recording laid down at WOWO. That recording was played as part of a battle of the bands radio contest involving 4 or 5 top groups in northeastern Indiana. The Claytons’ recording won and sent the band to perform at the Indiana State Fair.
The Clayton’s had a number of other recording seasons including one at King Records in Cincinnati. Louie Innis heard a creative song from the session called “Left Laughing” and signed the group at King. But frustration and youthful impatience over lack of studio time lead the Claytons to terminate the relationship.
The only song the Claytons ever covered, so far as I can recall and I was there for the duration, was “He Was a Friend of Mine” by The Byrds.
Would you post a photo if I got it to you somehow? If so tell me how to get it to you.
You mentioned “Puttin Me On” is on several compilation CDs. That is news to me and I expect to Dan and Bill Yaffe as well. Can you give us the names of the CDs.
“Dr. Roberts”
Thanks VERY much for checking in! Puttin' Me On is on Trip In Type Volume 2, You're Playing With Fire, and Ya Gotta have Moxie Volume 1. I have no idea who published any of them, but I'm sure you can find them with a simple Google search. I'd love to post any photos you like! You can e-mail me directly at joe.mmwin@gmail.com.
The Claytons were formed in Fort Wayne Indiana in 1963 by Drummer Dan Yaffe, with his brother Bill. Rick Armstrong played guitar, Steve Zimmerman Bass. The group was managed by long time friend Wm Roberts," Need Mine Too" was recorded in Nashville Tenn and was a minor hit in the greater Fort Wayne area. The song was written by band friend James Benninhoff. The Yaffes live in Las Vegas, Roberts in Ohio, Benninghoff in Fort Wayne. All members, including those who joined the band after 1966 are requested to contact Dan at DBYAffe@Gmail.com
Dan and Bill were 18 and 19 in 1966.
Clayton is a suburb of St. Louis, MO, near where the Yaffe brothers' dad grew up. This track was recorded in Nashville
The brothers were Bill and Dan Yaffe, and they both live in Las Vegas now. Bill played the B Hammond organ on this track, and Dan played the drums. Rick Armstrong was lead guitar, and the singer, Steve Zimmerman, played bass.
Hello Joe. My niece forwarded her conversation to you and I can share some details of our group the Claytons. I am Steve Zimmerman, but nott he excavator. We have multiple Steve Zimmermans in FortWayne. Details on the Claytons. Our keyboard was Bill Yaffee, drummer Danny Yaffee (both from Clayton,MO), lead guitar was Rick Armstrong and myself, Steve Zimmerman, bass and lead singer. We played around Fort Wayne, but also got to Indiana University and Purdue campus frequently. We recorded our record in Nashville. Was a great time in our lives.Have been trying to find the boys recently. They would be interested to see the recordings have been getting some play. Have more stories if interested…
Steve Zimmerman
szimmer31@gmail.com
Hello Joe. My niece forwarded her conversation to you and I can share some details of our group the Claytons. I am Steve Zimmerman, but nott he excavator. We have multiple Steve Zimmermans in FortWayne. Details on the Claytons. Our keyboard was Bill Yaffee, drummer Danny Yaffee (both from Clayton,MO), lead guitar was Rick Armstrong and myself, Steve Zimmerman, bass and lead singer. We played around Fort Wayne, but also got to Indiana University and Purdue campus frequently. We recorded our record in Nashville. Was a great time in our lives.Have been trying to find the boys recently. They would be interested to see the recordings have been getting some play. Have more stories if interested…
Steve Zimmerman
szimmer31@gmail.com
Don't know ifI left my email on the first reply.
Steve Zimmerman
szimmer31@gmail.com
When I used to see them playing around Albion and Kendallville Indiana in 1966-67 their signature number was a great rendition of 'Unchain My Heart".
Thanks for all the info on The Claytons everyone. This is the only place I've seen with anything at all on the band. Surprisingly, both sides of all 3 singles can be found on various unauthorized comps and as mp3's on the net.