Clout: South African Rock Pioneers

Clout is a South African rock band that achieved international fame in the late 1970s. The group's signature hit, "Substitute," became a global smash, selling over a million copies and charting across Europe.

Early career

Clout formed in Johannesburg in 1977, initially as an all-female quintet. The band's original lineup featured sisters Cindi and Jenni Alter on bass and guitar, along with Lee Tomlinson, Glenda Hyam, and Ingrid "Ingi" Herbst.

They were quickly signed to the South African label, 3rd Ear Music, and began recording their debut album. Their sound blended catchy pop melodies with a driving rock backbone, setting the stage for their sudden rise.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough arrived in 1978 with the release of their debut single, "Substitute." The song, a cover of a 1974 hit by the Righteous Brothers, was reworked into a powerful, guitar-driven anthem.

"Substitute" exploded internationally, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart and topping charts in several European countries. The single was certified gold in South Africa and platinum in the Netherlands, launching Clout onto the world stage.

Key tracks

Substitute — The 1978 global hit that defined the band's sound and remains their most recognized song.

Save Me — A successful follow-up single that also charted strongly in Europe, cementing their hitmaker status.

You've Got All of Me — This track showcased the band's ability to craft melodic rock ballads with strong vocal harmonies.

Under Fire — A later single that demonstrated the band's evolving, slightly harder rock edge in the early 1980s.

Later career and legacy

Capitalizing on their sudden fame, Clout released their self-titled debut album internationally on the EMI label. The band toured extensively in Europe and recorded several more albums, including 1979's "Six of the Best" and 1980's "A Threat and a Promise."

Despite lineup changes over the years, Clout continued to record and perform. Their music left a lasting mark as a pioneering example of South African rock achieving mainstream international success, inspiring a generation of musicians in their home country.

For fans of Clout's brand of melodic rock, similar artists featured on our site include John Venn who also crafted catchy rock anthems from South Africa. Explore the driving guitar work of The Radio Rats, another influential act from the same era. The powerful female-led sound can be heard in Wendy Oldfield, known for her rock and blues fusion. Discover more melodic rock with Squeal, who carried the South African rock torch into the following decades.

Clout's classic hits maintain a steady presence on classic rock FM stations and dedicated online rock radio streams. Their anthemic songs are staples on playlists celebrating the greatest rock tracks of the 1970s and 80s.

Listeners can discover the powerful rock sound of Clout on radio stations featured on onairium.com, where their timeless hits continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.