Bernard St. Clair Lee, who sang 'Rock the Boat' with Hues Corporation, dies at 66
Bernard St. Clair Lee, 66, a baritone singer and original member of the Hues Corporation, which had an early disco hit in 1974 with "Rock the Boat," died Tuesday at his home in Lake Elsinore, said Ava Dupree, a family spokeswoman. The Riverside County coroner’s office confirmed that the death was from natural causes.
The Hues Corporation, a soul trio whose name was a pun on Los Angeles aviation giant Hughes Corp., was formed in 1969 by Lee, soprano Hubert Ann Kelly and tenor Fleming Williams.
"Rock the Boat," written by band manager Waldo Holmes and performed in the YouTube clip above, shot to No. 1 on the Billboard pop charts in 1974. The group followed with another top 20 hit that year in "Rockin’ Soul."
Kelly later left the group to become a minister, and Williams died. Lee had recently been performing with Elaine Woodard and Bruce Glover as a reformed Hues Corporation.
Lee was born in San Francisco in 1944 and attended Santa Monica College.
According to Dupree, he is survived by his wife, Arlene; his mother, Jackie Austin; a son, Mark; two stepsons, Andre Goosby and Jody Benney; and a sister, Michelle.
A memorial service will be held March 19 at 11 a.m. at Palisades Lutheran Church, 15905 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. Kelly will give the eulogy.
-- Claire Noland
Blessings to this man and his song that brought me back to a memorable time in my life. Also to the family .May the the Lord bring His comfort and grace upon them during this time of loss.
Posted by: andrew tammar | 03/10/2011 at 11:15 AM
I loved that song back in the day. RIP.
Posted by: Sabrina | 03/10/2011 at 04:02 PM
St. Claire was my uncle, and I really miss him. We may not have been blood, but he's been treating me like one since I was a baby. I found out Thursday afternoon which brought many tears. At least I know he's in a better place. He's living in my heart.
I miss you uncle and I love you. I'll see you again, promise. RIP
Posted by: lyric | 03/12/2011 at 09:10 PM
I am still in shock over the passing of my dear friend.
St claire worked for me for over 10 years and we developed a great friendship. We kept in touch and reminised about old times. "Rock on with your bad self", St Claire. Heaven will surely Rock the Boat with your presence.
Your friend always,
Sandy Shannon
Posted by: Sandy Shannon | 03/14/2011 at 09:50 AM
"Rock on with your bad self, St Claire." A true friend.
Sandy
Posted by: Sandy Shannon | 03/14/2011 at 10:08 AM
Rest in peace, Bernard. You gave us one of the greatest musical masterpieces of all time, "Rock The Boat". Why, even last week, I was listening to the song multiple times. Just couldn't stop...
Posted by: Musicollector | 03/19/2011 at 04:12 PM
Hello from the UK, I just found out about the sad premature passing of these two great singers. The song has great memories for me, bedsides being a real classic.
Thank you guys RIP sincerely Garf
Posted by: Garf | 06/23/2011 at 04:00 PM