Difference between revisions of "The Drifters" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:Ben E. King2.jpg|thumb|Ben E. King was the Drifters' best known lead singer, with hits including "There Goes My Baby," "This Magic Moment," and "Save the Last Dance for Me."]]   
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[[Image:Ben E. King2.jpg|thumb|Ben E. King was The Drifters' best known lead singer, with hits including "There Goes My Baby," "This Magic Moment," and "Save the Last Dance for Me."]]   
  
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'''The Drifters''' are a long-lived American [[doo wop]]/[[R&B]] band, who helped create [[soul music]] with [[gospel]]-style vocals. After [[Clyde McPhatter]] was fired by the [[Dominoes]], [[Ahmet Ertegun]] of [[Atlantic Records]] asked him in 1953 to form a group. McPhatter found the other members singing at the Mount Lebanon Church in [[Harlem]], [[New York]]. Popular not only for their vocals but for their [[choreography]], the Drifters recorded "Money Honey," "Such A Night," "Honey Love," and "White Christmas" within a year. With Ben E. King's yearning sound on lead tenor, songwriters [[Leiber and Stoller]], and enchanting orchestral strings, the group had a string of hits—"There Goes My Baby" (#1, 1959); "This Magic Moment (#4, 1960);" "I Count the Tears (#17, 1960);" and "Save the Last Dance for Me (#1, 1960)."
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'''The Drifters''' are a long-lived American [[doo wop]]/[[R&B]] band, who helped create [[soul music]] with [[gospel]]-style vocals. The Drifters began in 1953 at the instigation of record producer [[Ahmet Ertegun]] and singer [[Clyde McPhatter]]. The early Drifters had several R & B hits. McPhatter left the group in 1954 when he was drafted and a number of contentious personnel changes soon followed.
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With [[Rudy Lewis]] on lead vocals, the Drifters enjoyed their popularity through 1963 with pop and rhythm-and-blues hits, including: "Some Kind of Wonderful," "When My Little Girl Is Smiling," and "Up On the Roof" by [[Carole King]] and [[Gerry Goffin]]; "Sweets For My Sweet" by [[Mort Shuman]]; and "On Broadway" and "I'll Take You Home" by [[Barry Mann]] and [[Cynthia Weil]]. After Lewis died in 1964, early Drifter Johnny Moore took over the lead for the group's final pop hits: "Under the Boardwalk" (#4, 1964) and "Saturday Night At the Movies" (#18, 1964).  
 
  
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While the Drifters continued recording into the early 1970s, they never achieved their previous stardom. In 1972, Johnny Moore toured England with a new group of Drifters, signing with the British Bell label and produced a series of hit songs through 1975. Today, there are several different groups who perform under the name, "The Drifters." The group was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1988.
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Later, with [[Ben E. King]]'s yearning sound on lead tenor, the group had several successive hits, including "There Goes My Baby" (#1, 1959); "This Magic Moment" (#4, 1960); "I Count the Tears" (#17, 1960); and "Save the Last Dance for Me" (#1, 1960). After King pursued a solo career, [[Rudy Lewis]] took on the lead vocals. The Drifters enjoyed continued popularity through 1964 with major pop and R & B hits, including "Up On the Roof," "On Broadway," and "Under the Boardwalk."  
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{{toc}}
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The group was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1988. Due to disputes over the rights to the name, today there are several groups who perform under the name, "The Drifters."
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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===The original Drifters===
 
===The original Drifters===
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In may 1953, [[Ahmet Ertegun]] of [[Atlantic Records]] approached Clyde McPhatter after he left the Dominoes and signed him. McPhatter first recruited several members of his former group, the [[Mount Lebanon Singers]]: William “Chick” Anderson (tenor), David Baldwin (baritone), and James “Wrinkle” Johnson (bass), plus  David “Little Dave” Baughan (tenor). This aggregation only lasted for a single session (from which "Lucille" was the only song released), after which Atlantic asked McPhatter to form a different group. He finally settled on [[Gerhart Thrasher|Gerhart]] and [[Andrew Thrasher]] on [[baritone]] and [[second tenor]], respectively, [[Bill Pinkney]] on high tenor, [[Willie Ferbee]] as [[bass (vocal range)|bass]], and Walter Adams on [[guitar]]. This is the group on the second session, which produced the group's first major hit: "[[Money Honey]]".
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In May 1953, [[Ahmet Ertegun]] of [[Atlantic Records]] approached Clyde McPhatter after he left the Dominoes and signed him to the fledgling R & B and jazz label to form a new group. McPhatter first recruited several members of his earlier group, the [[Mount Lebanon Singers]], but later settled on [[Gerhart Thrasher|Gerhart]] and [[Andrew Thrasher]] on [[baritone]] and [[second tenor]], respectively, [[Bill Pinkney]] on high tenor, [[Willie Ferbee]] as [[bass (vocal range)|bass]], and Walter Adams on [[guitar]]. This is the group which produced the group's first hit: "[[Money Honey]]." The Drifters had several additional successes before McPhatter was drafted in May 1954, after which he pursued a solo career. He sold his share of the group to [[George Treadwell]] a former [[jazz]] trumpeter and husband of legendary singer [[Sarah Vaughan]], who served as the group's manager.  
  
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The group released several more hits ("Such A Night," "Honey Love," "Bip Bam," "White Christmas," and "What'cha Gonna Do") before McPhatter was drafted in May 1954 (after which he pursued a solo career). McPhatter had demanded a large share of the group's profits, which he had been denied in the Dominoes, but, upon his departure, did not ensure that this would continue for his successor. He sold his share of the group to [[George Treadwell]], manager, former [[jazz]] trumpeter, and husband of legendary singer [[Sarah Vaughan]]. As a result, the Drifters' cycled through copious members, none of whom made much money. McPhatter later expressed regret at this action, recognizing that it doomed his fellow musicians to unprofitability.
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McPhatter was first replaced by [[David Baughn]], who had been on the group's first recording session. While his voice was similar to McPhatter's, his erratic behavior made him unsuitable in the eyes of Atlantic Records' executives. Baughn soon left the group and was replaced by [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]] native [[Johnny Moore (musician)|Johnny Moore]] (of [[The Hornets]]). This line-up had a major [[R & B]] hit in 1955 with "Adorable," followed by several others ("Ruby Baby," "I Got To Get Myself A Woman," and "Fools Fall In Love").
  
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McPhatter was first replaced by [[David Baughn]], who was on the group's first session. While his voice was similar to McPhatter's, his erratic behavior made him unsuitable in the eyes of Atlantic Records executives. Baughn soon left the group, and was replaced by [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]] native [[Johnny Moore (musician)|Johnny Moore]] (of [[The Hornets]]). This line-up had a major [[R&B]] hit in 1955 with "Adorable", followed by several others ("Ruby Baby," "I Got To Get Myself A Woman," and "Fools Fall In Love"). Johnny Moore was [[conscription|drafted]] in November 1957 and replaced by [[Bobby Hendricks]] (who had briefly been with [[The Swallows]]), but to no success; the group was not able to break into mainstream markets.  
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In the mid 1950s, The Drifters began working with legendary songwriters [[Jerry Leiber]] and [[Mike Stoller]], who eventually became the group's producers as well. Their 1956 hit "I Gotta Get Myself a Woman" marked the beginning of what many consider the group's golden age. However, low salaries and other disputes plagued The Drifters.
  
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In the mid 1950s, The Drifters began working with [[Jerry Leiber]] and [[Mike Stoller]], legendary songwriters, who eventually became the group's producers as well.  This is widely considered the group's golden age, inaugurated by the 1956 hit "I Gotta Get Myself a Woman".  Low salaries contributed to burnout among the members, particularly Bill Pinkney, who was fired after asking Treadwell for more money. Andrew Thrasher left as well, in protest. Pinkney formed another group, called [[The Flyers]], with lead singer Bobby Hendricks (before he joined the Drifters to replace army-bound Johnny Moore).
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Johnny Moore was [[conscription|drafted]] in November 1957 and replaced by [[Bobby Hendricks]], who had briefly been with [[The Swallows]]. However, the group was still not able to break into mainstream markets.
  
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Bill Pinkney was replaced by [[Tommy Evans]] (who had replaced Jimmy Ricks in [[The Ravens]]). [[Charlie Hughes]], a baritone, replaced Andrew Thrasher. By early 1958, the line-up was: Bobby Hendricks (lead tenor), Gerhart Thrasher (first tenor), Jimmy Milner (baritone), Tommy Evans (bass), and Jimmy Oliver (guitar). By May 1958, both Hendricks and Oliver had quit, returning only for a week's appearance at the Apollo Theater. During that week, one of the members got into a fight with the owner of the Apollo. That was the last straw for manager George Treadwell, who fired the entire group. It would be thought that the group would therefore be no more.  
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==The New Drifters==
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Manager George Treadwell eventually fired the entire Drifters' singing personnel and hired most of the group previously known as The Five Crowns, including lead singer [[Ben E. King]], promoting them under the name of The Drifters. This is the group whose sound is now generally associated with the name.
  
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But Treadwell was believed to have owned the rights to the name "Drifters". Left with a year's worth of advanced bookings for the Apollo, Treadwell recruited another group on the bill at there, [[The Five Crowns]] with lead singer [[Ben E. King]]. They changed their name to the "Drifters" and went out on the road to tour for almost a year. This second group had no connection to the prior group of Drifters.
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[[Image:Carole King 2.jpg|thumb|125px|Songwriter Carole King penned Drifters' hit "Up on the Roof."]]
  
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===The second Drifters===
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This new line-up released several singles which became major chart hits. "[[There Goes My Baby (song)|There Goes My Baby]]," was the first commercial rock-and-roll recording to include a [[string orchestra]]. "This Magic Moment," "Save The Last Dance For Me," and "I Count The Tears" soon followed.  
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Treadwell had approached [[Lover Patterson]], the manager of the Five Crowns. All but one member of The Five Crowns went along with the name change to become the Drifters. The new line-up consisted of: Benjamin Earl Nelson (known professionally as [[Ben E. King]]; lead tenor), [[Charlie Thomas]] (tenor), [[Dock Green]] (baritone), and [[Elsbeary Hobbs]] (bass). James Hazely  was the fifth member; he was not included in the new group.
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[[Image:Carole King 2.jpg|thumb|125px|Songwriter Carole King penned Drifters' hit "Up on the Roof."]]
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However, personnel changes started almost immediately. Lover Patterson, who had managed the Five Crowns and was now the Drifters' road manager, did not get along with Treadwell. Since Patterson had Ben E. King under personal contract, he refused to let King tour with the group. New member Johnny Lee Williams thus did the touring. However, King continued to record with The Drifters for about a year before beginning a successful solo career. His voice was so associated with the group by this time that Ben E. King's solo hits, such as "Stand By Me" and "Rose in Spanish Harlem," are often thought to be songs by The Drifters.
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This new line-up released several singles which became chart hits: "[[There Goes My Baby (song)|There Goes My Baby]]," the first commercial rock-and-roll recording to include a [[string orchestra]],  "Dance With Me,"James Hazely "This Magic Moment," "Save The Last Dance For Me," and "I Count The Tears."  However, personnel changes started almost immediately. Lover Patterson (who had managed the Five Crowns and was now the Drifters' road manager) got into a fight with George Treadwell. Since Patterson had Ben E. King under personal contract, he refused to let King tour with the group anymore. Thus, King continued to record with the group for about a year before beginning a successful solo career. New member Johnny Lee Williams did the touring (although he can be heard leading "True Love, True Love"). Williams was subsequently replaced by [[Rudy Lewis]] (of [[The Clara Ward Singers]]), who led the Drifters on such hits as "Some Kind Of Wonderful," "Please Stay," and "[[Up On The Roof]]". While recording "Please Stay", songwriter [[Burt Bacharach]] met [[Dionne Warwick]], a back-up singer, thus beginning a legendary partnership.
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Williams was subsequently replaced by [[Rudy Lewis]] of [[The Clara Ward Singers]] gospel group. It is Lewis who took the lead on such hits as "Some Kind Of Wonderful," "Please Stay," and "[[Up On The Roof]]."
  
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Bass Elsbeary Hobbs was drafted and eventually replaced by the returning Tommy Evans (from the 1958 group). Dock Green left in 1962 and was replaced by [[Eugene Pearson]] (of the [[Rivileers]] and [[Cleftones]]). Tommy Evans left again in 1963 and was replaced by [[Johnny Terry]]. After his military service and a failed solo career, Johnny Moore returned in 1964, making the group a quintet of Moore, Charlie Thomas, Rudy Lewis, Gene Pearson, and Johnny Terry.
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Johnny Moore returned in 1964, after his military service and a failed solo career, making the group a quintet consisting of Moore, Charlie Thomas, Rudy Lewis, Gene Pearson, and Johnny Terry. Lewis died the night before before the group was scheduled to record "Under the Boardwalk," and Johnny Moore took over as the lead singer on that session, which produced the group's last major hit.  
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Later that year, the group was scheduled to record "[[Under the Boardwalk]]" on May 21. 
 
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However, Rudy Lewis died the night before the session, and Johnny Moore took over as the sole lead (he and Lewis had been alternating).  
 
  
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By March 1970, following a numner of line-up changes, the Drifters had broken up. Johnny Moore and Bill Fredericks reunited in January 1971 (along with two unknown singers) to do an independently produced session which was subsequently sold to Atlantic. "A Rose By Any Other Name" and "Be My Lady" became the Drifters' last Atlantic release.
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By March 1970, following a number of additional line-up changes, The Drifters had broken up. In January 1971 Johnny Moore produced a session which was subsequently sold to Atlantic, resulting in "A Rose By Any Other Name" and "Be My Lady," the Drifters' last Atlantic releases.
  
 
===Post-Atlantic career===
 
===Post-Atlantic career===
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Afterwards, the Drifters moved to England and underwent the usual bewildering personnel changes. Throughout the 1970s, the only charted records for the group were [[disco]] songs on the [[United Kingdom|British]] charts. Along with Moore and Fredricks, [[Butch Leake]] and former [[The Ink Spots|Ink Spot]] [[Grant Kitchings]] were members initially. Fredricks was replaced by [[Clyde Brown]] the next year, and Kitchings by [[Billy Lewis]] the year after. Leake was replaced by [[Joe Blunt]] in 1976, making the lineup Johnny Moore, Clyde Brown, Joe Blunt, and Billy Lewis. This year, Faye Treadwell renamed the group's management company ''Treadwell Drifters Inc.'' Tragedy struck in 1999 when the group's longest serving member, Johnny Moore, died. In December 2006, writs were served in the London High Court by Tina Treadwell, daughter of George and Faye, over who are the rightful controllers of The Drifters.
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The Drifters eventually reappeared in England and underwent many additional bewildering personnel changes. Throughout the 1970s, the only charted records for the group were [[disco]] songs on the [[United Kingdom|British]] charts. In 1999 the group's longest serving member, Johnny Moore, died. In December 2006, writs were served in the London High Court by Tina Treadwell, daughter of George, over the rightful control of The Drifters' name and products.  
  
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The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. The [[Vocal Group Hall of Fame]] has inducted both "The Original Drifters" (1998) and "Ben E. King and The Drifters" (2000). In 2004, [[Rolling Stone Magazine]] ranked The Drifters #81 on their list of The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
+
The group was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1988. Both "The Original Drifters" (1998) and "Ben E. King and The Drifters" (2000) were inducted into the [[Vocal Group Hall of Fame]]. In 2004, [[Rolling Stone Magazine]] ranked The Drifters #81 on their list of The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
  
 
==Discography==
 
==Discography==
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===Singles===
 
===Singles===
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* "Money Honey" (1953, Atlantic)
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* "Money Honey" (1953)
 
* "Lucille" (1954)
 
* "Lucille" (1954)
 
* "Honey Love" (1954)
 
* "Honey Love" (1954)
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* "Someday You'l Want Me to Want You" (1954)
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* "Someday You'll Want Me to Want You" (1954)
 
* "White Christmas" (1954) R&B: #5 US: #80
 
* "White Christmas" (1954) R&B: #5 US: #80
 
* "Whatcha Gonna Do" (1955) R&B: #2
 
* "Whatcha Gonna Do" (1955) R&B: #2
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==References==
 
==References==
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*Allan, Tony, and Treadwell, Faye. ''Save the Last Dance for Me: The Musical Legacy of the Drifters, 1953-1993''. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Popular Culture, Ink., 1993. ISBN 978-1560750284
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*Allan, Tony and Faye Treadwell. ''Save the Last Dance for Me: The Musical Legacy of the Drifters, 1953-1993''. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Popular Culture, Ink., 1993. ISBN 978-1560750284
 
*Millar, Bill. ''The Drifters: The Rise and Fall of the Black Vocal Group''. New York: Macmillan, 1971. OCLC 375841
 
*Millar, Bill. ''The Drifters: The Rise and Fall of the Black Vocal Group''. New York: Macmillan, 1971. OCLC 375841
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*Pascall, Jeremy, and Bart, Rob. ''The Stars & Superstars of Black Music''. Secaucus, N.J.: Chartwell Books, 1977. ISBN 978-0702600104
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*Pascall, Jeremy and Rob Bart. ''The Stars & Superstars of Black Music''. Secaucus, N.J.: Chartwell Books, 1977. ISBN 978-0702600104
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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* [http://www.thedrifters.co.uk The Drifters official site]
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All links retrieved April 30, 2023.
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* [http://home.att.net/~marvy42/Drifters/drifters.html In-depth article on the early Drifters]
+
 
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* [http://home.att.net/~uncamarvy/DriftersLate/drifterslate.html In-depth article on the later Drifters]
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* [http://www.thedrifters.co.uk The Drifters official site] ''www.thedrifters.co.uk''
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* [http://home.att.net/~marvart/Origdrifters/origdrifters.html Article on Bill Pinkney's Original Drifters]
 
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* [http://www.vocalgroup.org/inductees/the_drifters.html 'The Original Drifters' Vocal Group Hall of Fame Page]
 
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* [http://www.vocalgroup.org/inductees/ben_e_king.html 'Ben E. King and The Drifters' Vocal Group Hall of Fame Page]
 
 
   
 
   
  

Latest revision as of 15:35, 30 April 2023

Ben E. King was The Drifters' best known lead singer, with hits including "There Goes My Baby," "This Magic Moment," and "Save the Last Dance for Me."

The Drifters are a long-lived American doo wop/R&B band, who helped create soul music with gospel-style vocals. The Drifters began in 1953 at the instigation of record producer Ahmet Ertegun and singer Clyde McPhatter. The early Drifters had several R & B hits. McPhatter left the group in 1954 when he was drafted and a number of contentious personnel changes soon followed.

Later, with Ben E. King's yearning sound on lead tenor, the group had several successive hits, including "There Goes My Baby" (#1, 1959); "This Magic Moment" (#4, 1960); "I Count the Tears" (#17, 1960); and "Save the Last Dance for Me" (#1, 1960). After King pursued a solo career, Rudy Lewis took on the lead vocals. The Drifters enjoyed continued popularity through 1964 with major pop and R & B hits, including "Up On the Roof," "On Broadway," and "Under the Boardwalk."

The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Due to disputes over the rights to the name, today there are several groups who perform under the name, "The Drifters."

History

Atlantic Record impresario Ahmet Ertegun was instrumental in the formation of the Drifters.

The original Drifters

In May 1953, Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records approached Clyde McPhatter after he left the Dominoes and signed him to the fledgling R & B and jazz label to form a new group. McPhatter first recruited several members of his earlier group, the Mount Lebanon Singers, but later settled on Gerhart and Andrew Thrasher on baritone and second tenor, respectively, Bill Pinkney on high tenor, Willie Ferbee as bass, and Walter Adams on guitar. This is the group which produced the group's first hit: "Money Honey." The Drifters had several additional successes before McPhatter was drafted in May 1954, after which he pursued a solo career. He sold his share of the group to George Treadwell a former jazz trumpeter and husband of legendary singer Sarah Vaughan, who served as the group's manager.

McPhatter was first replaced by David Baughn, who had been on the group's first recording session. While his voice was similar to McPhatter's, his erratic behavior made him unsuitable in the eyes of Atlantic Records' executives. Baughn soon left the group and was replaced by Cleveland native Johnny Moore (of The Hornets). This line-up had a major R & B hit in 1955 with "Adorable," followed by several others ("Ruby Baby," "I Got To Get Myself A Woman," and "Fools Fall In Love").

In the mid 1950s, The Drifters began working with legendary songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who eventually became the group's producers as well. Their 1956 hit "I Gotta Get Myself a Woman" marked the beginning of what many consider the group's golden age. However, low salaries and other disputes plagued The Drifters.

Johnny Moore was drafted in November 1957 and replaced by Bobby Hendricks, who had briefly been with The Swallows. However, the group was still not able to break into mainstream markets.

The New Drifters

Manager George Treadwell eventually fired the entire Drifters' singing personnel and hired most of the group previously known as The Five Crowns, including lead singer Ben E. King, promoting them under the name of The Drifters. This is the group whose sound is now generally associated with the name.

Songwriter Carole King penned Drifters' hit "Up on the Roof."

This new line-up released several singles which became major chart hits. "There Goes My Baby," was the first commercial rock-and-roll recording to include a string orchestra. "This Magic Moment," "Save The Last Dance For Me," and "I Count The Tears" soon followed.

However, personnel changes started almost immediately. Lover Patterson, who had managed the Five Crowns and was now the Drifters' road manager, did not get along with Treadwell. Since Patterson had Ben E. King under personal contract, he refused to let King tour with the group. New member Johnny Lee Williams thus did the touring. However, King continued to record with The Drifters for about a year before beginning a successful solo career. His voice was so associated with the group by this time that Ben E. King's solo hits, such as "Stand By Me" and "Rose in Spanish Harlem," are often thought to be songs by The Drifters.

Williams was subsequently replaced by Rudy Lewis of The Clara Ward Singers gospel group. It is Lewis who took the lead on such hits as "Some Kind Of Wonderful," "Please Stay," and "Up On The Roof."

Johnny Moore returned in 1964, after his military service and a failed solo career, making the group a quintet consisting of Moore, Charlie Thomas, Rudy Lewis, Gene Pearson, and Johnny Terry. Lewis died the night before before the group was scheduled to record "Under the Boardwalk," and Johnny Moore took over as the lead singer on that session, which produced the group's last major hit.

By March 1970, following a number of additional line-up changes, The Drifters had broken up. In January 1971 Johnny Moore produced a session which was subsequently sold to Atlantic, resulting in "A Rose By Any Other Name" and "Be My Lady," the Drifters' last Atlantic releases.

Post-Atlantic career

The Drifters eventually reappeared in England and underwent many additional bewildering personnel changes. Throughout the 1970s, the only charted records for the group were disco songs on the British charts. In 1999 the group's longest serving member, Johnny Moore, died. In December 2006, writs were served in the London High Court by Tina Treadwell, daughter of George, over the rightful control of The Drifters' name and products.

The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Both "The Original Drifters" (1998) and "Ben E. King and The Drifters" (2000) were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked The Drifters #81 on their list of The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Discography

Albums

  • Clyde McPhatter & the Drifters (1956, Atlantic)
  • Rockin' & Driftin (1958)
  • Save the Last Dance for Me (1962)
  • Up on the Roof (1963) US: #110
  • Under the Boardwalk (1964) US: #40
  • The Good Life With the Drifters (1965) US: #103
  • I'll Take You Where the Music's Playing (1966)
  • The Drifters' Golden Hits (1968) US: #122 UK: #26
  • The Drifters Now (1973, Bell)
  • Love Games (1975, Bell)
  • There Goes My First Love (1975, Bell)
  • 24 Original Hits (1975, Atlantic) UK: #2
  • Every Night is Saturday Night (1976, Arista)
  • Juke Box Giants (1982, Audio Fidelity)
  • Live at Harvard University (1986, New Rose)
  • The Very Best of the Drifters (1986, Atlantic) UK: #24
  • Drifters Christmas (1998, Happy Holidays)
  • The Definitive Drifters (2003, Atlantic) UK: #8

Singles

  • "Money Honey" (1953)
  • "Lucille" (1954)
  • "Honey Love" (1954)
  • "Someday You'll Want Me to Want You" (1954)
  • "White Christmas" (1954) R&B: #5 US: #80
  • "Whatcha Gonna Do" (1955) R&B: #2
  • "Everyone's Laughing" (1955)
  • "Adorable" (1955) R&B: #1
  • "Steamboat" (1956) R&B: #5 b-side of Adorable
  • "Ruby Baby" (1956) R&B: #10
  • "I Gotta Get Myself a Woman" (1956) R&B: #11
  • "Fools Fall in Love" (1957) R&B: #10
  • "Hypnotized" (1957) US: #79
  • "I Know" (1957)
  • "Drip Drop" (1958) US: #58
  • "Moonlight Bay" (1958) US: #72 b-side of Drip Drop
  • "There Goes My Baby" (1959) R&B: #1 US: #2
  • "(If You Cry) True Love, True Love" (1959) R&B: #5 US: #33
  • "Dance With Me" (1959) R&B: #2 US: #15 UK: #17 b-side of True Love, True Love
  • "This Magic Moment" (1960) R&B: #4 US: #16
  • "Lonely Winds" (1960) R&B: #9 US: #54
  • "Save The Last Dance For Me" (1960) R&B: #1 US: #1 UK: #2
  • "I Count the Tears" (1960) US: #17 UK: #28
  • "Some Kind of Wonderful" (1961) R&B: #6 US: #32
  • "Please Stay" (1961) R&B: #13 US: #14
  • "Sweets for My Sweet" (1961) R&B: #10 US: #16
  • "Room Full of Tears" (1961) US: #72
  • "When My Little Girl Is Smiling" (1962) US: #28 UK: #31
  • "Stranger on the Shore" (1962) US: #73
  • "Sometimes I Wonder" (1962)
  • "Up on the Roof" (1962) R&B: #4 US: #5
  • "On Broadway" (1963) R&B: #7 US: #9
  • "If You Don't Come Back" (1963)
  • "Rat Race" (1963) US: #71 b-side of If You Don't Come Back
  • "I'll Take You Home" (1963) R&B: #24 US: #25 UK: #37
  • "Vaya Con Dios" (1964) US: #43
  • "One-Way Love" (1964) US: #56
  • "Under the Boardwalk" (1964) US: #4
  • "I've Got Sand in My Shoes" (1964) US: #33
  • "Saturday Night at the Movies" (1964) US: #18 UK: #3
  • "I Remember Christmas" (1964)
  • "At the Club" (1965) R&B: #10 US: #43 UK: #35
  • "Come On Over to My Place" (1965) US: #60 UK: #9
  • "Follow Me" (1965)
  • "I'll Take You Where the Music's Playing" (1965) US: #51
  • "Nylon Stockings" (1965)
  • "Memories Are Made of This" (1966) US: #48
  • "Up in the Streets of Harlem" (1966)
  • "Baby What I Mean" (1966)
  • "Ain't It the Truth" (1967) R&B: #36
  • "Still Burning in My Heart" (1968)
  • "Steal Away" (1969)
  • "You Got to Pay Your Dues" (1970)
  • "A Rose By Any Other Name" (1971)
  • "Something Tells Me" (1972, Bell)
  • "You've Got Your Troubles" (1973, Bell)
  • "Like Sister and Brother" (1973, Bell) UK: #7
  • "Kissin' in the Back Row of the Movies" (1974, Bell) R&B: #83 UK: #2
  • "I'm Free (for the Rest of My Life)" (1974, Bell)
  • "Down on the Beach Tonight" (1974, Bell) UK: #7
  • "Love Games" (1975, Bell) UK: #33
  • "There Goes My First Love" (1975, Bell) UK: #3
  • "Can I Take You Home Little Girl" (1975, Bell) UK: #10
  • "Hello Happiness" (1976, Bell) UK: #12
  • "Every Night's a Saturday Night With You" (1976, Bell) UK: #29
  • "You're More than a Number in My Little Red Book" (1976, Arista) UK: #5

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Allan, Tony and Faye Treadwell. Save the Last Dance for Me: The Musical Legacy of the Drifters, 1953-1993. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Popular Culture, Ink., 1993. ISBN 978-1560750284
  • Millar, Bill. The Drifters: The Rise and Fall of the Black Vocal Group. New York: Macmillan, 1971. OCLC 375841
  • Pascall, Jeremy and Rob Bart. The Stars & Superstars of Black Music. Secaucus, N.J.: Chartwell Books, 1977. ISBN 978-0702600104

External links

All links retrieved April 30, 2023.


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