Drifters

(b. Clyde Lensley McPhatter, 15 November 1932, Durham, North Carolina; d. 13 June 1972, New York)

For three years, McPhatter was the lead singer in the seminal R&B vocal group Billy Ward And His Dominoes. He left in 1953 to form The Drifters, whose early releases were enhanced by the singer’s emotional, gospel-drenched delivery. In 1954 McPhatter was drafted into the US Army, where he entertained fellow servicemen. Such work prompted a solo career, and the vibrant “Seven Days” (1956) was followed by several other superb performances, many of which, including “Treasure Of Love”, “Without Love (There Is Nothing)” and “A Lover’s Question”, became R&B standards. A hugely influential figure, McPhatter inspired a generation of singers…A 1970 album, on Decca, WELCOME HOME, was his last recording. McPhatter, one of R&B’s finest voices, died from a heart attack as a result of alcohol abuse in 1972. He was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1987. ~muze