The Wayland Post helped reunite two 90-year-old friends by publishing a story about Dan Hood, a local author. Dan Murphy, a mutual friend of Dan Hood and Roland Clements, was searching for Hood on the internet when he found the Wayland Post story. He sent an email requesting our assistance in contacting Hood.
“My name is Daniel Murphy; I was just reading the story in your Post about Daniel W. Hood. The article talks about the Sophomores of (Boston). One of the singers was Roland Clements. I’m a very good friend of Roland Clements. I am at his side right now in Brockton Champion Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. I would appreciate it if someone could reach out to me. Roland would really like to connect with Daniel if possible. Roland is not doing very well.”
Hood and Clements, who lost touch ten years ago, were reunited on May 28 at the Brockton facility, where Clements is in hospice. “Clements’ face lighted up when Dan walked into the room,” said Linda, a friend who was accompanying the men.
“I really appreciate your effort in helping me get in touch with one of my closest and dearest friends,” Hood said.
Hood and Clements who grew up together in West Roxbury and were both members of the Sophomores, a doo-wop singing group that performed from 1954-1959 in Boston nightclubs. They were the first minority group to perform on “American Bandstand” and they recorded five albums.
Clements and Hood with the rest of the group later performed at Boston Symphony Hall in March 2006, when they received a Lifetime Achievement Award and sang one of their well-known songs, “Every Night About This Time.”
The story about Hood publishing his fifth book called Dancing with a Stranger appeared in the Wayland Post on May 2, 2025. One of his other books, “The Sophomores and Me,” is an autobiography which talks about performing with the musical group.
