Lee Van Cleef was born Clarence Leroy Van Cleef Jr. He was a renowned American actor, best known for his menacing roles in Spaghetti Westerns like “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” (1966) and “For a Few Dollars More” (1965). With 173 acting credits, he often played villains in classic Westerns such as “High Noon” (1952).
The story goes that Van Cleef was always interested in music and could play several instruments. When he heard Lee Marvin warble “Wandering Star” in 1969’s “Paint Your Wagon” he decided if Marvin could sing in a film so could he. After singing the main theme song for 1971’s “Captain Apache” Lee decided to start his own record company LVC Records in 1973 at 1880 Century Park East, Suite 712, Los Angeles, California 90067. He recorded four records including “The Bad Man’s Back”/”If All I Ever Do”, “Who's Gonna Share Your Dream”/”Call The Law”. Both of these records were recorded twice on LVC-001 – LVC-004.
Lee sang the main theme “April Morning” and “Captain Apache” for the 1970 film of the same name and also sang “Rye Whiskey” in 1974’s “The Stranger and the Gunfighter” in 1974.
Van CLEEF, Lee (aka Lee Van Cleff, Lee VanCleef)
(Clarence Leroy Van Cleef Jr.) [1/9/1925, Somerville, New Jersey, U.S.A. –
12/16/1989, Oxnard, California, U.S.A. (heart attack)] – film, TV actor,
composer, singer, musician, married to Patsy Ruth Kahle [1924-2006] (1943-1960)
father of sales engineer Alan Van Cleef [1947- ], Deborah Van Cleef [1948- ], painter David Van Cleef [1960- ], married to Joan Marjorie Drane
[1929-1991] (1960–1974) stepfather of dental assistant Denise Joan Van Cleef
[1952- ], married to concert pianist
Barbara Lou Hevelone [1940-2019] (1976-1989), founded Fleet Productions, Inc.
(Lee Van Cleef Music, LVC Records) [1967-1978].
Captain Apache – 1970 [sings: “Captain Apache”, “April
Morning”]
The Stranger and the Gunfighter – 1974 [sings: “Rye
Whiskey”]
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