Tom Clay

Tom Clay was born Tom Klay in 1929 in the United States. He had a long career as a radio personality and broadcaster, working at various radio stations and becoming known for his engaging on-air personality and entertainment value. Clay achieved his greatest popular success in 1971 when he recorded a novelty medley combining the song 'What the World Needs Now Is Love' with spoken-word segments honoring assassinated political figures Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and John F. Kennedy. The medley, titled 'What the World Needs Now Is Love'/'Abraham, Martin and John,' became an unexpected chart hit, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The record resonated with audiences during a turbulent period in American history, combining sentimentality about lost leaders with a message of universal love and compassion. While Clay continued his career in radio and recording, he never replicated the commercial success of that particular hit. Nevertheless, the song remains a notable artifact of 1970s popular culture and has been covered by other artists. Clay's career exemplifies the variety entertainment landscape of mid-20th century radio, when DJs and radio personalities could achieve significant popular success.