Born to Irish parents but raised in Reading, England, Terry Clarke gained popularity in the late '50s and early '60s with the Eagles, a Bristol-based rock group. As the lead guitarist for the Eagles, Clarke played dancehalls and bingo parlors before the group earned the Duke of Edinburgh trophy in 1962. Touring across Europe, the band also opened and shared the stage with Del Shannon, Stevie Wonder, and Dionne Warwick. After the group broke up in the mid-'60s, Clarke joined Pickettywitch, a group whose potential was never fully realized. After splitting up in 1973, Clarke continued performing in the British Isles, but also sought out other areas, particularly Austin, TX. In the early '80s, Clarke developed a friendship and writing partnership with Michael Messer. In 1990, the musician recorded his debut album Call Up a Hurricane. In 1991, he recorded Shelly River, an album based on a song cycle inspired by the West of Ireland, but it wasn't released at that time. In 1993, Rhythm Oil was released and Clarke's stature began to rise. He appeared on various compilations with Willie Nelson, the Band, and Joe Ely, among others. In 1997, after being signed to Transatlantic Records, Clarke released Heart Sings. In 1999, he released Lucky on Catfish Records. In 2001, Clarke's Shelly River album was released to wide praise and critical acclaim. The same year saw him release Sound of the Moon. Having performed with countless performers ranging in styles from acoustic folk to jazz, Clarke released Green Voodoo in 2002.