Obituary - Clifford T Ward

[Tom Roche]

 LONDON (AP) - Singer and songwriter Clifford T. Ward, best known for his 1970s hit, ``Gaye,'' died
 Tuesday, the secretary of his fan club said. He was 57. 

 Ward, who had suffered from multiple sclerosis for two decades, died from pneumonia in his home town of
 Kidderminster, Stephen Bagust said. 

 Although he had only two chart singles and made albums infrequently, Ward retained a devoted following and
 his songs were recorded by stars including Art Garfunkel and former Beatle Ringo Starr. 

 Ward trained as a teacher after his first band, ``The Secrets,'' failed to find success. While teaching at a high
 school in Worcestershire, he began recording as a solo artist for Dandelion, a record label run by British
 Broadcasting Corp. DJ John Peel. 

 When ``Gaye'' hit the charts, he gave up teaching to concentrate on his musical career. 

 He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1984, but continued to make records; his last album was ``Julia
 and Other New Stories'' in 1994.