The Drifters: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1988

Their career in links.

Official Site: http://www.thedrifters.co.uk/

Rock Hall Bio:
http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-drifters/bio/

The Drifters formed in 1953 and have existed in some form ever since.

Clyde McPhatter fronted the group at first before going solo. The act has had over 60 lead singers in its existence. Turmoil and turnover defined the group’s early days.

Money Honey (1953):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7FFBVXaOIo

Honey Love (1953):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCwWCAVXGe8

Ruby Baby (1956):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv9DfcD53ZE

There Goes My Baby (1959): Ben E. King on lead vocals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3HXy9mGPpI

This Magic Moment (1960):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A73f2AzKBAY

Save the Last Dance for Me (1960):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-XQ26KePUQ

Some Kind of Wonderful (1961):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aATtWybSaow

Please Stay (1961):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htNqSGzXebY

Up on the Roof (1962):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F_opWg9_qI

On Broadway (1963):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJFYpVlIyqo

Under the Boardwalk (1964):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UgwrSc-BrU

Kissin’ in the Back Row of the Movies (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOm4DW5l5qQ

There Goes My First Love (1975):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqx2_GPI0vc

You’re More Than a Name in My Little Red Book (1976):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdKq4By5fuo

The group continues to perform to this day.

Clyde McPhatter: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1987

His life and career in links:

Rock Hall Bio:
http://rockhall.com/inductees/clyde-mcphatter/bio/

In 1950, he won Amateur Night at the Apollo in Harlem and was drafted into Bill Ward and the Dominoes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHq1A8DwW18

He left the Dominoes and was recruited by Ahmet Ertegun to form a new group, which became the Drifters.

Money Honey (1953):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHgFs4Oxuc4

He stayed with the Drifters until late 1954, when he was drafted into the army. Afterward, McPhatter worked solo.

Love Has Joined Us Together w/Ruth Brown (1955):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKXHiwG1itA

Treasure of Love (1956):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lETG3uLUV9I

His biggest hit was “A Lover’s Question” from 1958:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzYZtuFpbLY

Lover Please (1962) was his last Top 10 hit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPcNdOSw5ZA

After 1962, the music industry changed too much for McPhatter. He moved to England, but returned to the U.S. in 1970 on the revival circuit.

He died in 1972 from heart, liver, and kidney disease caused by alcohol abuse. Clyde McPhatter was bitter at the end. He claimed that he had “no fans.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rraVe77RDL4