Clout was one of South Africa’s most successful rock/pop bands of the late 1970s, best known internationally for their massive hit cover of “Substitute” (originally by The Righteous Brothers).
Formed in 1977 in Johannesburg (not Durban), they started as an all-female group with members
- Cindy Alter (lead vocals, guitar)
- Glenda Hyam (keyboards, vocals)
- Lee Tomlinson (bass, vocals)
- Jenni Garson (guitar, vocals)
- Ingi Herbst (drums, vocals)
They later added male musicians and evolved their lineup.
Their breakthrough came with “Substitute” in 1978, which topped the charts in South Africa, New Zealand, Germany, and several other countries, reached No. 2 in the UK, and sold millions worldwide. Other notable tracks include “Save Me,” “You’ve Got All of Me,” “Under Fire,” and “Oowatanite.”
The band split in 1981 but has had reunions and occasional performances since (including some virtual ones around 2020). Cindy Alter, the lead singer, later moved to the US and pursued a solo career.
While the band originated in Johannesburg, they did perform in Durban and surrounding areas during their heyday—venues like the Los Angeles Hotel (Hollywood Boulevard) hosted some of their shows back in the day, as remembered in local Durban history and nostalgia groups.
They’re still celebrated as a proudly South African act from the golden era of local rock/pop, with “Substitute” remaining a timeless classic.