A Rockapaedia Obituary
Jim Clench
Bands: April Wine, Bachman Turner Overdrive
Jim Clench died aged sixty-one from lung cancer o
n 3rd November, 2010, in hospital in Montreal, Canada.
Jim was born James Patrick Jim Clench on 1st May, 1949 and was a Canadian bassist, vocalist and songwriter. He was asked to join April Wine after their original bassist Jim Henman decided to leave the band in October 1971. Although Myles Goodwyn was April Wine's primary lead singer, Jim Clench was lead vocalist on songs such as the hit singles "Oowatanite" (which he also wrote) and "Weeping Widow". In 1975, after recording three studio albums and one live, Jim Clench decided to leave April Wine and was replaced by former Mashmakhan bassist Steve Lang.
Early April Wine albums recorded with Jim Clench include; On Record in 1972, Electric Jewels in 1973, Live! in 1974), and Stand Back in 1975, which was released just before he left the band.
In 1978, Jim Clench was asked to join Bachman–Turner Overdrive to replace Randy Bachman, who had decided to begin a solo career. Jim Clench was with BTO until its first breakup in 1979, appearing on the albums 'Street Action' in 1978 and 'Rock n' Roll Nights' in 1979. In addition to playing bass, Jim Clench shared lead vocal duties with Fred Turner and wrote multiple songs for these two albums.
Shortly afterwards, Jim Clench also appeared as a guest musician on Bryan Adams's 1980 debut album.
In 1980, Jim Clench formed and toured with his own group, 451 Degrees. They released one album in Canada only. A video of their hit song, "Don't Walk", is available on YouTube. Jim also appeared in Loverboy, who made their live debut opening for Kiss at Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, B.C. on 19th November 1979. Shortly after this show, Jim Clench was replaced by Scott Smith.
In 1992, April Wine reformed and Jim Clench accepted an invitation to rejoin. He then took part in four more studio albums recorded after the reformation. Those albums include; Attitude in 1993, Frigate in 1994), Back to the Mansion in 2001 and Roughly Speaking in 2006. Jim Clench also appears on
April Wine's Greatest Hits Live 2003.
In late 2006, Jim Clench once again left April Wine, and was replaced by former Brutus/Offenbach bassist Breen LeBoeuf at the beginning of 2007.