
Clark Yocum with
Frank Sinatra & Jo Stafford |
Clark Yocum (Vern Yocum's
younger brother) is best known as guitarist and singer with
Tommy Dorsey. A tenor, he was both back up singer and room
mate for Frank Sinatra, joining THE PIED PIPERS in 1940. Yocum
shared the lead with Jo Stafford and later June Hutton to
create the legendary sound.
It was a perfect blending of voices,
which drew a national following, making them the best selling
American group from 1945 to 1949. They appeared in many films,
including "Las Vegas Nights" and "Ship Ahoy." Merging their
sound with Johnny Mercer, they supported his venture to establish
Capitol Records. Yocum became a "first call back-up-singer" in
the 50's when rock 'n roll took over the market, accompanying
major pop recording artists singing "ooh-ahs" and "doo-waps" in
the background. The Pied Pipers made a five year tour with
Frank Sinatra Junior across America, Europe, South America
and Asia. Yocum later went to work for the American Federation
of Musicians (AFofM) Local 47 handling contracts and regulating
and monitoring recording sessions. He retired in 1977 and,
after a long struggle with Diabetes, died at the age of 80
in 1993.
|