Billy ThunderKloud

Giksan/Canadian musician, singer, band leader. May 7, 1948-June 5, 2018.

Born Vincent Clifford in the village of Kispiox in British Columbia and raised in the village of Kitwanga. A hereditary chief of The Frog Clan of the Gitksan First Nation, he was also known as Chief Dau-Hkansqu.

At age 14, he was moved to an Indian Residential School in Edmonton, Alberta, where The Chieftones were formed. The Chieftones band began touring the US in 1964. In 1965, they released their first two singles "Rang Dang Doo" and "Mona Lisa." During the next three years, they released five singles for the Claremont, Cuca and Youngstown labels. In 1972, Billy adopted the stage name Billy ThunderKloud and the group was billed as Billy Thunderkloud And The Chieftones, signing a recording contract with Superior Records, owned by Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys. Two albums were released on Superior Records. In 1974, Billy signed a recording contract with 20th Century Records and moved to Nashville. After 20th Century closed its record label, Billy signed with Polydor Records. Billy continued touring until 1991.