Tom Clare
Encyclopedia
Tom Clare was a British
music hall
singer from the early twentieth century, born in London
. He was best known for singing humorous songs which he accompanied on the piano
.
He made his first stage appearance when he was eight years old, with the Mohawk Minstrels. He was particularly well known, in the First World War era, for his ironic, humorous songs, "The Fine Old English Gentleman" (a song which gently mocked the arrival of modernity, "Who Bashed Bill Kaiser?" and "What did You do in the Great War, Daddy?" This last song (based on a 1915 Savile Lumley propaganda
poster
, "Daddy, what did YOU do in the Great War?") criticized those who claimed to be war heroes but in fact had been busy on the black market, or avoiding work, throughout the war. In another of his songs he poked fun at certain civilian decorations which had been (in the opinion of The Times
) too generously bestowed. Songs of social criticism are rare at this time in the Music Hall
, and Tom Clare's stand out.He can be found on both the 1901 & 1911 census as an entertainer he was also involved with the Bohemia Theatre at Broadstairs,Kent
He was also involved in a large number of charity concerts in aid of wounded soldiers.
Although, like most singers of his time, it was in live shows that he gained his reputation, he began recording his songs on cylinder
as early as 1906, with his hit "The Girl in the Big Black Hat".
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
music hall
Music hall
Music Hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
singer from the early twentieth century, born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He was best known for singing humorous songs which he accompanied on the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
.
He made his first stage appearance when he was eight years old, with the Mohawk Minstrels. He was particularly well known, in the First World War era, for his ironic, humorous songs, "The Fine Old English Gentleman" (a song which gently mocked the arrival of modernity, "Who Bashed Bill Kaiser?" and "What did You do in the Great War, Daddy?" This last song (based on a 1915 Savile Lumley propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
poster
Poster
A poster is any piece of printed paper designed to be attached to a wall or vertical surface. Typically posters include both textual and graphic elements, although a poster may be either wholly graphical or wholly text. Posters are designed to be both eye-catching and informative. Posters may be...
, "Daddy, what did YOU do in the Great War?") criticized those who claimed to be war heroes but in fact had been busy on the black market, or avoiding work, throughout the war. In another of his songs he poked fun at certain civilian decorations which had been (in the opinion of The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
) too generously bestowed. Songs of social criticism are rare at this time in the Music Hall
Music hall
Music Hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
, and Tom Clare's stand out.He can be found on both the 1901 & 1911 census as an entertainer he was also involved with the Bohemia Theatre at Broadstairs,Kent
He was also involved in a large number of charity concerts in aid of wounded soldiers.
Although, like most singers of his time, it was in live shows that he gained his reputation, he began recording his songs on cylinder
Phonograph cylinder
Phonograph cylinders were the earliest commercial medium for recording and reproducing sound. Commonly known simply as "records" in their era of greatest popularity , these cylinder shaped objects had an audio recording engraved on the outside surface which could be reproduced when the cylinder was...
as early as 1906, with his hit "The Girl in the Big Black Hat".