John Claude Gummoe was born on August 2, 1938, in Cleveland, Ohio. Initially aspiring to study veterinary medicine, financial constraints led him to join the U.S. Navy, where he met future bandmates David Wilson and Leonard Green aboard the USS Jason. This encounter marked the beginning of his musical journey. Originally managing the group, Gummoe was encouraged by Wilson and Green to join as a performer, leading to the formation of The Cascades.

Gummoe became the lead vocalist and a key songwriter for The Cascades, penning their most famous hit, "Rhythm of the Rain," inspired by a thunderstorm he witnessed while on Navy duty. Released in 1962, the song became an international success, reaching No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and topping charts in several countries.

In 1967, Gummoe left The Cascades to pursue a solo career and later formed the band Kentucky Express. He also recorded a dance mix of "Rhythm of the Rain" in 1990. The Cascades reunited in 1995 and 2004, maintaining a fan base in the U.S. and the Philippines. Gummoe's contributions to music, particularly with "Rhythm of the Rain," have left a lasting legacy, with the song ranked as one of the top 100 songs of the century by BMI.