The Drifters

[Edie Antoinette]

Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters (1953-1957)
The Drifters are considered one of the most successful and unique groups in the history of Rhythm and Blues. Between 1953 and 1971, the Drifters had 12 different lead singers, 11 from other groups . They even boasted two members named Charlie Thomas who knew each other and were both originally from Virginia. The story of the Drifter's is really about two groups, the first being the original group formed by Clyde McPhatter from 1953 to 1957 and the later pop group fronted by Ben E. King, Rudy Lewis and others from 1958 - 1979.

Actually prior to Clyde McPhatter forming his Drifters, there were three different groups that used that name. However, the name Drifters is forever tied to Clyde McPhatter and the myriad of leads who followed.

In 1953 Clyde McPhatter was singing with Billy Ward's Dominoes but felt underpaid and underbilled and was leaving the group. Ahmet Ertegun, owner of Atlantic records, heard about Clyde's displeasure and immediately signed him to a contract. The job at hand was to build a new group around Clyde's awesome voice. Clyde recruited "Little" David Baughn, William Anderson, David Baldwin and James Johnson. The name of this new group was not chosen because members "drifted" in and out, as some people thought but the name was picked out of a hat and Drifters is the name of a bird.

The group's first recording session took place on June 29, 1953 but the sound wasn't considered competitive enough. One song, "Lucille" was later issued as the B side of their second single "Such a Night". Clyde reformed the group and brought on Bill Pinkney (first tenor) from the Jerusalem Stars, Andrew "Bubba" Thrasher (second tenor), Gerhart "Gay" Thrasher (baritone) and Willie Ferbie (bass).

The new group recorded "Money Honey" which was released in September 1953. The song turned Clyde and company into overnight R&B sensations. It hit the Billboard charts in October and flew to number one and stayed there for an amazing 11 weeks. Their second release was "Such a Night" b/w "Lucille" from the ill fated original recording session. So much has been said about the vocal work of the Drifters over the years that few realize what a skilled performing and dance act they were. The group would gyrate through some of the hippest and acrobatic and tap routines this side of Motown (and about 8 years ahead of Motown).

"Honey Love" was released in June of 1954 and rose to number one on the R&B charts by mid summer . The next release in October was "Bip Bam" b/w "Someday You'll Want Me To Want You". In November, Atlantic released what would become the most popular vocal group Christmas record of all time, the Drifter's "White Christmas". In March, the boogie woogie rocker "Whatcha Gonna Do" was released and skyrocketed up Billboard's charts to place at number two. This would technically be the last Drifter's recording with Clyde McPhatter. He would leave to begin a solo career, also on Atlantic records.

During this transition period, the group was in Cleveland on tour when Bill Pinkney found the Drifter's a new lead singer. Johnny Moore was singing by himself in the men's room and Bill was so knocked out he hired him on the spot. Moore had been the lead of the Hornets on States records. By September 1955, the Drifters had recorded five new sides, two of them "Adorable" and "Steamboat" began charging up the charts together in November and December. The Drifter's February 1956 release was a dynamic two-sider "Your Promise To Be Mine" with Gerhart Thrasher doing a superb lead b/w Johnny Moore singing lead on "Ruby Baby".

Although still immensely popular, members did start 'drifting" out of the group. Bill Pinkney was fired by manager George "Stingy" Treadwell when he asked for a raise for the group. Tommy Evans of the Carols and Ravens (Columbia) replaced Pinkney. Charlie Hughes, formerly of the Diamonds (black group) and Du Droppers was also brought into the group. The Moore, Gerhart Thrasher, Charlie Hughes and Evans quartet registered a top 10 hit with "Fools Fall In Love In A Hurry" in the spring of 1957. From here on the changes became more rapid and the quality was suffering on the records released during this period.

In the summer of 1957 Moore and Hughes were drafted. Bill Pinkney who had been in and out of the group for live performances but not recordings got in touch with Bobby Hendricks and offered him the lead spot. He jumped at the opportunity. In addition, Jimmy Millender replaced Hughes on baritone. This contingent produced one terrific single "Drip Drop" but although it made it to number 58 on the Pop charts, it never reached the R&B charts. These last "original" Drifters Hendricks, Thrasher, Millender and Evans watched their popularity wane.

The end came at the Apollo Theatre in 1958. The group didn't have a hit in more than a year and were reported to be hitting the bottle hard. George Treadwell had negotiated a 10 year deal with Apollo owner Bobby Shiffman for two performances each year. Treadwell owned the "name" Drifters so he just had to provide any group using the name. The opening act at the Apollo that fateful night in June was a young Harlem group named the Crowns. They impressed Treadwell so much that he asked them if they wanted to become the Drifters. They anxiously accepted and he went backstage and fired the old group on the spot. The new group consisted of Charlie Thomas, Dock Green, Elsbeary Hobbs and one Benjamin Earl Nelson (aka Ben E. King). This group would usher in the second generation of Drifters.
The explanation given in the above bio as to how the name "Drifter's" came about is being descredited in "bird" circles. Noted bird expert Dr. J. Saperstein states that there is no such bird as a "Drifter", thus casting doubt as to the accuracy of how the Drifters got their name. Dr. Saperstein has had his feathers ruffled over this "anecdotal" gaff but claims he is defending his profession. As they say, birds of a feather ........

[Edie Antoinette]

Your's was a good addition to the 50's stuff..thanks suggah..♥

[Edie Antoinette]

Whoa! EXCELLENT info Sole!!!!! thanks!!!! I'mma put up a video...

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Splinters

In the early 1970s, promoter Larry Marshak decided to reunite the Drifters (not realizing that they were still performing with a newer lineup). He found Dock Green, Charlie Thomas, and Elsbeary Hobbs, and began to promote them as "The Drifters". This brought swift legal action from Faye Treadwell, wife of George Treadwell, who was managing the Drifters. In an attempt to grant his group the sole rights to the name, Marshak convinced Hobbs, Thomas, and Green to apply for a trademark on the Drifters name in 1976. The trademark was granted but due to Treadwell's legal action it was revoked in 2000 in US Federal Court. The trio of original Drifters split afterward into separate groups. Faye Treadwell herself fled the US as there were multiple court-cases against her at the time. She fled having not paid her attorneys for their services and has not returned to the US since.

In 1988, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted the seven significant contributors to The Drifters legacy; originals Clyde McPhatter, Bill Pinkney, and Gerhardt Thrasher, and later members Johnny Moore, Ben E. King, Charlie Thomas, and Rudy Lewis. Bill Pinkney's Original Drifters [11] continue to tour and record. Charlie Thomas leads another group [12]). Beary Hobbs had a group, which has continued to record after his death [13](and is still managed by Marshak). Faye Treadwell granted Hobbs rights to use the trademark prior to his death.

Rick Sheppard also tours with a group ([14]). Sheppard owns the Canadian Trademark for the Drifters name and has recently won a lawsuit in Canada so that there are no other Drifters permitted to perform there. Ray Lewis and Roy Hemmings have led a Drifters group ([15]), and Hemmings now fronts a group that is managed by Tina Treadwell. Bobby Hendricks leads a group ([16]), as does Billy Lewis (Trademark battle between him and Faye Treadwell).

As of September 2007, Rick Sheppard and Charlie Thomas are the only two living members of the Drifters recording group who are currently working as "Drifters" in the United States. It is rumored that Charlie and Rick could be teaming up for a Drifters reunion this year.[citation needed]

Rick Sheppard Drifters will be appearing in Las Vegas within the next six months, after closing a major deal with the casinos on the creation of a rock and roll all-star show that is currently in production. Rick Sheppard is the only Drifter who has been recording for EMI/Capital Records since the 90's, and continues to tour the US and Canada.