Career
He signed to Bow Records at age 15, releasing a few singles but finding no success. After signing with Columbia Records, he released the single "Hello Mr. Moonlight", which did not chart.
The follow-up, "Baby Sittin" Boogie"/"Driftwood" (though "Driftwood" was technically the B-side the record tends to be regarded as a double-A-side), became a crossover hit in the United States. in 1961, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, #27 Rhythm & Blues, and #28 Country.
The record went on to sell over one million copies, and as a result of its success, Columbia tried to groom Clifford as a heartthrob popular singer. He appeared on television with Perry Como and Merv Griffin and on American Bandstand, and toured the United Kingdom with Freddy Cannon and Dion.
Clifford"s fame was short-lived, however. Further singles went nowhere (a remake of Kay Kyser"s "Three Little Fishies" hit #102) and Clifford soon found himself without a recording contract.
After serving in the National Guard, Clifford moved to Los Angeles, California, and found work as a songwriter, writing tunes sung by Keith Barbour, Petula Clark, Clyde McPhatter, Lou Rawls, Leon Russell, Freddie King, and Kris Kristofferson.
After a stint as one third of the group Hamilton Streetcar (with John Boylan of "Appletree Theatre" fame, and original group member Ralph Plummer—the group was originally named on behalf of former member John Burge, aka Ian Hamilton) which in 1969 recorded a self-titled album for Dot Records (Dot DLP25939), he also did recording sessions in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with former Beach Boy David Marks, but these were never issued. Marks, Clifford, and Moore reunited in the 1990s and released an album called Work Tapes. Marks and Clifford continued to tour together along with Clifford"s two sons until 1997.
After recording in Denmark, another LP, Norse Horse, was issued.
In 1999, Beck sampled an early Clifford tune, "I See, I Am", in the single "Milk and Honey" for his Midnite Vultures album. In 2003, the 28-track Civil Defense More Than Just Babysittin": Complete Recordings 1958-1967 was released.
The songs are digitally remastered, and some striking differences are apparent, including a fade-out ending on "Driftwood". In 2009, the rap duo Method Manitoba & Redman released the track "Four Minutes to Lock Down" (feat Raekwon & Ghostface Killah), which contained a sample of the song "Echo Park," written by Clifford, as recorded by Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge.
The baby"s voice on "Baby Sittin" Boogie" was that of the son of the songwriter, Johnny Parker, not Curtis Armstrong as formerly credited.