The group, made up of West Indians, Caucasians, and a Sri Lankan, are best known for their two biggest hits, "Baby, Now That I've Found You" (a Chart-topper Number One hit single in the UK  and subsequently Top 10 in the United States written by Tony MacCaulay and John McCleod; and "Build Me Up Buttercup" (a chart topper in the Billboard Hot 100) co-written by MacCaulay with Mike d'Abo, at the time the lead singer| with Manfred Mann.

The make-up of the group drew much interest and intrigue due to the size and structure of the group. Not only was there a diverse ethnic mix in the group but there was also diversity in ages and musical backgrounds. Here was a mix of youth and experience. The oldest member of the group was Mike Elliott, who was 38 years old. The youngest was Tim Harris, who, at 18, was barely out of school.  The West Indian horn section, which consisted of Jamaican born Mike Elliott and Pat Burke and  Dominican born Eric Allendale, were all highly experienced musicians who came from professional jazz and rock-and-roll backgrounds. Mike Elliott was a highly experienced musician who had played in various jazz and rock'n roll bands including The Cabin Boys who were led by Tommy Steele's brother Colin Hicks. Pat Burke a professional musician was from the London Music Conservatorium. Eric Allendale had lead his own band at one stage as well as having played with Edmundo Ros and being a former member of the Terry Lightfoot and Alex Walsh bands. Alan Warner (Alan Warner had been a printer , he was also an experienced musician for his age, having played with numerous semi-pro groups from the age of 16. Peter Macbeth the bass player was a former teacher, Tony Gomez the keyboard player was a former clerk while Clem Curtis had been a former interior decorator plus a professional boxer.

Their origins of The Foundations are somewhat confusing as is who is responsible for choosing the bands name and various different sources give slightly different accounts of their beginnings. One version is that they were originally called The Ramong Sound and there were two lead singers, Clem Curtis and Pyschedelic shock rocker, Arthur Brown . Another is that they were called The Foundation Squad or Foundation Sound. Apparently Arthur Brown was only a temporary member for about one month and by the time The Foundations had signed to Pye Records he had left the group. They  also did a couple of tours backing The Toys and later Motown legend Edwin Starr.

They actually came together in Bayswater in  1967 and practiced and played in a basement club called the Butterfly Club which they ran. They stayed there until they were eventually forced out by a protection racket gang and had to move next door to a dingy disused mini-cab office. They were discovered by record dealer Barry Class who teamed up with Ron Fairway to become their managers.  Fairway and Class  eventually  introduced them to PYE records A & R man Tony Macauley.

They are also notable for being one of the few label acts to successfully imitate what became known as the Motown Sound. In terms of line-up and musical style, they anticipated the sound of the more successful Hot Chocolate . Although they were in a similar musical vein to the Love Affair (band) who also topped the UK charts in 1968 with their version of Robert Knight's "Everlasting Love". The Foundations signed to Pye, at the time one of only four big United Kingdom record labels (the others being EMI with its HMV,[Columbia Records, and Parlophone Records; Decca Records; and Philips Records| who also owned Fontana Records.

Original vocalist Clem Curtis left in 1968 because he felt that a couple of the bands members were taking it a bit too easy thinking that because they'd now had a hit, they didn't have to put in as much effort as they did previously. He hung around and helped them audition a replacement singer He had become friendly with Sammy Davis Jr and was encouraged to try his luck in the states. So he moved to the United States for a solo  career on the club circuit, encouraged by the likes of Wilson Pickett and Sam and Dave, playing Las Vegas with The Righteous Brothers] He was replaced by Colin Young. Mike Elliott the saxophonist left around this time as well and was never replaced.

After a successful run of hits, The Foundations made the mistake of breaking with their management and breaking off from a Bill Graham sponsored tour to support The Temptations at the newly opened Copacabana club. This ended up in disaster and the band came back to the UK in low spirits.

It was at that time that "The Foundations" took off in the US under the leadership of Dave Huffman and Trudie Harris and have been going strong ever since.

When Curtis returned to the United Kingdom, he formed a new version of the group with little success on record, but a lucrative spell on the 1960s nostalgia circuit. In fact, Curtis' re-formed Foundations have on several occasions re-recorded their old hits, but without Colin Young's distinctive voice on them. He is currently using the name "Clem Curtis & The Foundations" after a lenghty battle with Colin Young over the name they both gave up many years ago.

 

In the early 70's Dave Huffman joined "The Foundations" when they came to the US to tour. When the British members left the group after breaking ties with their management company he kept the group going in the US despite the false rumors that the group had disbanded .
 
He and his wife, Trudie Harris have performed and recorded with "The Foundations" since that time and took over full management and legal rights in the mid 70's. Complete ownership was finialized in 1980 with a legal US trademark and full performance rights being issued at that time.

Be advised that the name " THE FOUNDATIONS " is a service mark owned by Dave Huffman/Trudie Harris and is listed in the Principal Register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office under registration number 3081716 for: "MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES RENDERED BY A VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL GROUP, IN CLASS 41 (U.S. CL 107).FIRST USE 9-26-1980; IN COMMERCE 9-26-1980. SER. NO. 78433085 FILED . 10 YEAR RENEWAL TERM BEGINS APRIL 18, 2006." In addition, Dave Huffman / Trudie Harris has provided proof that the name " THE FOUNDATIONS " (as registered) has been in continuous use since September 26, 1980. An Affidavit of incontestability for the above registration has been filed and accepted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.Protection under this registration includes the pseudonym " THE FOUNDATIONS" and other versions of the name that refer to musical entertainment, i.e. " THE FOUNDATIONS BAND ", " THE FOUNDATIONS ENTERTAINMENT ", etc.

Violations of this registration will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Dave Huffman...Guitar & Vocals
Trudie Harris...Lead Vocals & Keyboards 
Jimmy Winders...Bass & Vocals
Bubba Willis...Lead Vocals, Keyboards & Horns
Jeff Hunter...Drums & Vocals
John Winders...Sax & Vocals
James Little...Lead Vocals & Horns