The Clingers

The Clingers

Company type	Musical group
Industry	Music
Founded	1956
Founder	The Clinger siblings (Patsy, Debra, Melody, Peggy)
Area served	United States
Products	Singles, television appearances, live performances

The Clingers stand out as one of the pioneering all-female rock-and-roll ensembles, originating from a barbershop quartet before transforming into an instrumental rock band in 1966. The lineup consisted of the four Clinger siblings: Patsy on drums, Debra handling bass, Melody on guitar, and Peggy playing keyboards. Beginning their musical journey as The Clinger Sisters in 1956, they gained national visibility through appearances on The Andy Williams Show alongside the Osmonds and also featured on The Danny Kaye Show. After securing a contract with Vee-Jay Records in 1964, they released three singles and performed at various fairs, sharing top billing with artists such as Liberace and Donald O'Connor.

Motivated by the success of contemporary rock performers at fairs, the sisters acquired instrumental skills under the guidance of Nino Candido and shifted their focus to rock music while preserving their signature vocal harmonies. They initially signed with Greengrass Productions but parted ways due to creative disagreements. Subsequently, they collaborated with producers Curt Boettcher and Steve Clark on tracks that ultimately remained unreleased.

In 1967, The Clingers served as opening acts for The Righteous Brothers and Robert Goulet. Melody expanded her role into songwriting and established a connection with Dennis Wilson, who facilitated an introduction to Terry Melcher of Equinox Records. Under Equinox, they released two singles; however, plans for a full album were halted due to financial difficulties following Marty Melcher's passing. The following year, they joined Columbia Records, issuing the single "Gonna Have A Good Time," produced by Kim Fowley and Michael Lloyd. That year also saw them make several appearances on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. In 1969, their live performances included a seven-week engagement at Las Vegas’s Rivera alongside Ed Ames and Scoey Mitchell.

Following their Vegas stint, manager Mike Curb took notice and released their single "Something Here in My Heart"/"Blackbird" through Forward Records in July 1969. Peggy contributed as co-writer of "Round Round Round" with Johnny Cymbal. In 1970, The Clingers opened for New Coconut Grove and Anthony Newley in shows across Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Although the group disbanded in 1971, each sister pursued individual musical endeavors. Notably, Peggy lent her voice as the singing talent for Kitty Jo in Hanna-Barbera’s Cattanooga Cats and collaborated with Cymbal under the duo name Cymbal & Clinger.

Singing as the Clinger Sisters

Melody Clinger, the eldest among nine siblings, exhibited early musical aptitude by harmonizing along with radio broadcasts. During the mid-1950s, her mother joined her for duet performances, while all sisters regularly sang together in church settings. The family actively participated in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their first group performance occurred at Utah’s Orem Farm Festival in 1956; by 1960–61, they expanded to local venues including university social events and concerts. Val Hicks—vocal coach to the Osmond brothers—became their mentor. In 1962, local chapters of Sweet Adelines International and the Barbershop Harmony Society organized a benefit concert to finance their entry into a barbershop competition held in Kansas City, where they performed alongside the Osmonds.

To further advance their musical careers, the family relocated to California. Performing as an a cappella quartet under the name The Clinger Sisters, they appeared with the Osmonds on The Andy Williams Show and made frequent appearances on The Danny Kaye Show. Their first vinyl recording featured on a 1963 album with Danny Kaye that included tracks like "Oh Baby Mine" and "The Story of Alice". After signing with Vee-Jay Records in 1964, they issued two singles via Tollie Records: "Shoop Shoop De Doop Rama Lama Ding Dong Yeah Yeah Yeah" and "Golly Mom". Music publication Cash Box characterized their style as a "medium-paced rockin' teen romancer". Additionally, they released a holiday single titled "What Can I Give Him". Their songs typically explored themes related to teenage love interests and parental guidance.

In 1964, The Clingers appeared alongside the Beatles on TV Star Parade, where they won a readers’ poll. Their recording activities with Vee-Jay ended after their father testified during hearings involving Vee-Jay and payola. Managed by General Artists Corporation, they toured widely and headlined shows with Liberace and Donald O'Conner at the Great Allentown Fair in 1965. By 1966, their television appearances included programs hosted by Steve Allen, Mike Douglas, and Tennessee Ernie Ford.

Radio personality Lynn Bryson composed three songs for them—"How About Him," "Lean Back Baby," and "Children Laughing"—which were arranged vocally by the group along with a cover version of "Bread and Butter" originally by the Newbeats. Bryson produced these recordings featuring members of the Dartells. Aaron Clinger independently released singles from these sessions under the label "Jo-Bee" records in August 1965; however, these records saw limited commercial success.

Shift to rock genre

Encouraged by their father Aaron Clinger, who reinvested funds from selling their Utah residence into musical instruments, the Clinger sisters transitioned into rock music. Under the guidance of Nino Candido, they absorbed elements of soul, funk, and rock, gradually incorporating these styles into their live shows. Their performances at prominent events such as the 1966 Oregon State Fair drew attention from established groups like The Yardbirds. With Seymour Heller managing them, they landed a recording contract through Ed Cobb at Greengrass Productions, although the sisters were dissatisfied with the songs provided. They also formed connections with other sibling bands like The Pleasure Seekers.

The albums produced for the Clingers under Greengrass were created by Steve Clark and Curt Boettcher of Our Productions. Boettcher and his fellow musicians often collaborated with the sisters, who additionally contributed backing vocals for Lee Mallory’s unreleased recordings. Towards the end of 1966, the group performed multiple engagements at Disneyland and shared the stage with Bob Hope during the Arizona State Fair. Their television appearances included two spots on The Dating Game in 1967 and another in 1969.

Performing under The Clingers name

Renaming themselves The Clingers, the sisters were represented by agent Jerry Perenchio. In 1967, they toured alongside The Righteous Brothers, playing at universities and military installations. As a barbershop quartet, they opened for Robert Goulet with arrangements crafted by his orchestra conductor Ralph Sharon. Their residence became a gathering place for musicians such as Dennis Wilson, who introduced them to Terry Melcher and Bruce Johnston of Equinox Records. Signing with Equinox late that year, they recorded multiple tracks produced by Melcher and Johnston; however, plans for a full album were abandoned due to financial setbacks following Marty’s passing.

Later managed by Jerry Perenchio, Art Linson, and Jeff Cooper and signed to William Morris Agency, the sisters transitioned to Columbia Records and Mr. Bones Productions in 1968. Producers Toxey French and Jeff Comanor worked with them during this period, though creative disagreements emerged concerning song choices and instrumentation. Melody Clinger moved out amid family strains linked to her relationship with Jim Bell. Subsequently, the group began collaborating with Michael Lloyd and Kim Fowley.

Their first television appearance on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in November 1968 featured vocal performances without instruments; by January 1969, they were playing their own instruments on air—a point emphasized in promotional materials for "Gonna Have a Good Time," which garnered favorable reviews from Cash Box. Plans for them to co-host the Smothers Brothers' summer program were cancelled following CBS’s decision to end the show. That summer saw The Clingers perform for seven weeks at Las Vegas's Riviera alongside Ed Ames and Scoey Mitchell. In 1969, Mike Curb took over as their manager and released their single "Something Here in My Heart" on his Forward label. They made appearances on shows such as American Bandstand and The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, while also modeling for Vogue alongside artists including Cher.

Following Melody’s marriage to Jim Bell and move to Colorado around 1969, her participation diminished. Peggy lent her voice to Hanna-Barbera's Cattanooga Cats, co-writing songs with Michael Lloyd and later partnering with Johnny Cymbal on songwriting efforts and singles like "Round Round Round," which received critical praise despite limited commercial success. Debra recorded singles in collaboration with Mike Curb during this time frame. In 1970, all members of the Clinger family joined The Mike Curb Congregation for television variety specials. That same year, they opened shows for New Coconut Grove and Anthony Newley at notable venues including Los Angeles' Ambassador Hotel and Las Vegas' Caesar's Palace.

Musical Endeavors Following The Clingers

After The Clingers disbanded in 1971, Cymbal and Peggy teamed up as the duo Cymbal & Clinger, releasing the single "The Mookie Mookie Man." That same year, Wes Farrell brought them on board as staff songwriters for Chelsea Records. Their compositions found success with well-known performers: The Partridge Family recorded five of their tracks, David Cassidy delivered "Rock Me, Baby," Donny Osmond performed "Standin' in the Need of Love," and Cher covered Peggy's composition "I Hate to Sleep Alone." Tragically, Peggy Clinger passed away in 1975 due to a drug overdose.

Debra participated in two albums with Rock Flowers, a Mattel-associated group that performed Cymbal & Clinger songs and served as backup singers for Tom Jones. Patsy collaborated with Shannon O'Neill to create the songwriting partnership O'Neill and Clinger. Both Debra and Peggy contributed backing vocals on Don Everly's 1971 album; Debra and Patsy provided background vocals for Helen Reddy, while Debra also featured on a Barbra Streisand record. Patsy played drums on Bill Cowsill’s album Nervous Breakthrough. In 1975, the Clinger family took part in a San Jose staging of Saturday's Warrior. Debra portrayed Superchick in Kaptain Kool and the Kongs on The Krofft Supershow (1976–1978), releasing a self-titled album on Epic Records produced by John Madara and Gino Cunico.

During the 1980s, Patsy, Debra, and Leesa reunited under The Clingers name, working alongside producers John Madera, Al McKay, and Phil Kelsey. They recorded a pop album that remained unreleased and independently produced Patsy's Christian pop project The Fountain (1990).

Legacy

Producer Kim Fowley acknowledged The Clingers as the first internationally recognized all-girl rock band under the age of 18 who played their own instruments. Fowley, known for producing The Runaways, emphasized their groundbreaking contribution. Debra Clinger affirmed that they were indeed the first female group to secure a recording contract. Performing arts librarian Myrna Layton observed that much of The Clingers’ stage presence was directed by men, reflecting the male-dominated nature of the music industry during that era. Debra noted that despite having strong industry support and record deals, they faced significant barriers breaking through the "glass ceiling."

The Clingers released both a vinyl album and a compilation CD titled Soft Bodies, Hard Rock, which was financed through a successful Kickstarter initiative. The reissue label area251records managed distribution. In 2022, Brigham Young University included The Clingers in its Provo Pop Music Connections exhibition celebrating a century of Provo’s music heritage. Additionally, the band was featured in the Fall 2022 edition of Provo Music Magazine.

Members

• Melody Clinger – guitar, vocals
• Peggy Clinger – keyboard, vocals
• Patsy Clinger – drums, vocals
• Debra Clinger – bass, vocals

Singles as The Clinger Sisters

Title (A-side/B-side)	Year	Label	Producer
"Shoop Shoop de Doop Rama Lama Ding Dong Yeah Yeah Yeah" / "The Lipstick Song"	1964	Tollie Records
"Golly Mom" / "Puppet"	1964	Tollie Records
"What Can I Give Him" / "Jingle Dingle Do"	1964	Tollie Records	Bill Marx
"How About Him" / "Lean Back Baby"	1965	independent release	Lynn Bryson
"Children Laughing" / "Bread and Butter"	1965	independent release	Lynn Bryson
"Walk on By" / "Why Do We Hurt the One We Love"	1967	Hollywood Gold Star - FCA Agency Gold Star Studios? (Discogs indicates unreleased)	The Clingers

Singles Released as The Clingers

Record Title (A-side/B-side)	Release Year	Record Label	Producers (A-side/B-side)
"Gonna Have A Good Time" / "And Now You Know Me"	1968	Columbia Single	Toxey French & Jeffrey Comanor / Michael Lloyd & Kim Fowley
"Something Here in my Heart" / "Blackbird"	1969	Forward Records	Michael Lloyd & Mark Curb / Michael Lloyd
"Round Round Round" / "Mean It"	1970	MGM	Peggy Clinger & Johnny Cymbal

Compilation Appearances

Album Title	Year Issued	Label	Producer(s)
"Oh, Baby Mine" and "The Story of Alice" featured on Danny Kaye: With the Earl Brown Singers, the Clinger Sisters, and the Paul Weston Orchestra	1963	Dena Pictures, Inc.
"Come to Me" included on Music by Mason Williams	1969	Warner Bros (Clinger Sisters courtesy of Columbia Records)	Dick Glasser

Contributions with The Cattanooga Cats

Record Title (A-side/B-side)	Year Released	Label Name
"Mother May I" / "Johnny Jump Up"	1969	Forward
Cattanooga Cats LP featuring "Mother May I"	1969	Forward

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Recordings as Cymbal & Clinger

Title (A-side/B-side)	Year Issued	Label Company
"The Mookie Mookie Man" / "The Pool Shooter"	1971	Marina
"The Dying River" / "A Little Bit No, A Little Bit Yes"	1972	Chelsea
"God Bless You Rock 'N Roll" / "Forever and Ever"	1972	Chelsea

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Solo Work as Peggy Clinger

Title or Album Name	Year Published	Label Name
Cymbal & Clinger	1972	Chelsea
"I Hate to Sleep Alone"	1973	Chelsea

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With the Rock Flowers

Single Title (A-side/B-side)	Year Released	Record Label
"Number Wonderful" / "Mother You, Smother You"	1971	Wheel
"You Shouldn't Have Set My Soul On Fire" / "Sunday Dreaming"	1971	Wheel
"See No Evil" / "Image of You"	1972	Wheel
"Double Scoop" / "Don't You Ever Give Up On Me Baby"	1972	Wheel
"Put a Little Love Away" / "Always Call Me Up When You're Lonely"	1973	Wheel

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Participation with Kaptain Kool and the Kongs

Album or Group Name	Year of Release	Label Issuer
Kaptain Kool and the Kongs	1978	Epic

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Collaborations with Bill Cowsill

Album Title or Single Name	Year Released	Label Company
Nervous Breakthrough	1971	MGM

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