SANFORD CLARK

The Clark family relocated from Oklahoma to Phoenix when Sanford was a boy. That is when he developed a taste for music and learned to play guitar. He honed his musical and performing skills while off duty in a band while serving in the Air Force in the 1950’s. Clark was discharged from Luke Air Force base in 1955 and by early 1956 was learning the song THE FOOL. The song was written and produced by Lee Hazelwood who would have great success later with Nancy Sinatra and a solo career of his own.

Instantly recognized by guitarist Al Casey’s catchy rolling guitar lick and Sanfords vocals THE FOOL would hit the top ten nationwide and sell over 750,000 copies. The song was recorded at the tiny Floyd Ramsey studio on 7th Street in Phoenix and the local Phoenix music scene was born. Duane Eddy and Waylon Jennings would have later success recording at the Ramsey studio and later its offshoot, Audio Recorders.

Sanford Clark would record well into the early 70’s and charted several songs but never matched the success of THE FOOL. Sanford Clark is in the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame and is semi-retired today.

(bio by Jim West)

Sanford Clark web site