Clinton Ford, born Ian George Stopford Harrison on November 4, 1931 in Salford, Lancashire, England, was a singer known for his contributions to jazz and swing music. He began his entertainment career as a Butlins Redcoat from 1957 to 1959 and sang with the Jazz Band 'Merseysippi' at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. Adopting the stage name Clinton Ford, he started his recording career with the Oriole record label. His first notable success came with a cover of the Red Foley song "Old Shep" in 1959, which charted in the UK and whose royalties he donated to Guide Dogs for the Blind. Subsequent singles included "Too Many Beautiful Girls" (1961) and "Fanlight Fanny" (1962) , the latter reaching number 22 on the UK Singles Chart in March that year. His album Fanlight Fanny reached number 16 on the UK Albums Chart. Ford toured with Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen, played at the Cavern Club around the time The Beatles were gaining popularity, and appeared on various television shows. In 1966, he switched to Piccadilly Records, releasing "Run To The Door" which charted in the UK. Notable releases include the comic album Clinton The Clown with George Chisholm and the Inmates in 1968. Ford continued touring throughout the 1980s and 1990s before retiring to a guest house on the Isle of Man with his wife Margaret (Maggie) née Worsfold, whom he married in 1962. He died on October 21, 2009.
