The Drifters is a long-lived American doo wop Pop R&B band, originally form… Read Full Bio ↴The Drifters is a long-lived American doo wop Pop R&B band, originally formed by Clyde McPhatter (of Billy Ward & the Dominoes) in 1953 from New York City, NY, USA. There have been over 60 members since 1953. www.theofficialdrifters.com shows the current lineup and tour dates.
The original Drifters
Ahmet Ertegün 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 lasted for only 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 Thrasherand 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 on the second session, which produced the group's first major hit: "Money Honey".
After the session, Ferbee was involved in an accident and left the group and Adams died (to be replaced by Jimmy Oliver). Ferbee was not replaced and the voice parts were shifted around: Gerhart Thrasher became first tenor, Andrew Thrasher was now the baritone, and Bill Pinkney shifted down to bass. The group released several more hits ("Such A Night," [1][2] "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 [bandmember from=1953 to=1956[artist]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.
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 native Johnny Moore (of The Hornets). This lineup 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 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.
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 "(April, 1993)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).
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 lineup 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.
Since Treadwell owned the rights to the name "Drifters," and since he still had a year's worth of bookings for the Apollo, he recruited another group, The Five Crowns, featuring lead singer Ben E. King. The group changed its name to the "Drifters" and went out on the road to tour for almost a year, although this new group had no connection to the prior Drifters.
Bill Pinkney's "Original Drifters"
Meanwhile, Bill Pinkney and other "fired" Drifters once again joined with the Thrashers and David Baughan to begin touring as "The Original Drifters" (although their first recordings, for End in 1959, were as the "Harmony Grits"). Baughan left after a short time, leaving the group a trio. Bobby Lee Hollis joined in 1964 and took over the lead spot. Later that year, Andrew Thrasher was out and Jimmy Lewis was in. Bobby Hendricks returned, making the group a quintet for a short time, before Lewis left. Andrew Thrasher returned, replacing Hollis. Hollis and Baughan bounced in and out through the 1960s. By 1968, the group was Pinkney, Gerhart Thrasher, Hollis, and Hendricks. At this point, the group split.
Pinkney met with an existing group, The Tears, and recruited them as the new Original Drifters. The Tears were Benny Anderson, George Wallace, Albert Fortson, and Mark Williams. Shortly after recruiting them, they broke away from Pinkney and continued touring as the Original Drifters for over a decade (Pinkney filed suit and successfully stopped them at that time).
Pinkney then brought in new members Bruce Caesar, Clarence "Tex" Walker, and Bruce Richardson. The lineup changed rapidly. In 1979 the group was Pinkney, Andrew Lawyer, Chuck Cockerham, Harriel Jackson, and Tony Cook. Their 1995 album Peace in the Valley, on Blackberry Records, credited vocals to Pinkney, Cockerham, Richard Knight Dunbar, Vernon Young, and Greg Johnson. [3][4] They appeared on the PBS special, Doo Wop 51 with Pinkney, Dunbar, Johnson, and Bobby Hendricks. The current lineup is Pinkney, Cockerham, Dunbar, Young, and Clyde McPhatter's son, Billy McPhatter. Greg Johnson is now in Bobby Hendricks' Drifters.
The second Drifters
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 "Poppa" Clark was the fifth member; he was not included in the new group.
This new lineup released several singles that became chart hits: "There Goes My Baby," the first commercial rock-and-roll recording to include a string orchestra, "Dance With Me," "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. 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 hits such as "Some Kind Of Wonderful," "Please Stay," and "Up on the Roof." While recording "Please Stay," songwriter Burt Bacharach met Dionne Warwick, a backup singer, thus beginning a legendary partnership.
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.
Later that year, the group was scheduled to record "Under the Boardwalk" on May 21. However, Rudy Lewis died the night before the session, and Johnny Moore took over as the sole lead (he and Lewis had been alternating). Terry was replaced in 1966 by Dan Dandridge for a couple of months, then by William Brent, who had been with Johnny Moore in The Hornets in 1954. Gene Pearson was replaced by Rick Sheppard that same year. By late 1966, baritone/bass Bill Fredricks replaced William Brent. Charlie Thomas, the group's last "original member" (from the day The Five Crowns had become the Drifters), left in mid-1967 and was replaced by Charles Baskerville, a former member of The Limelites. Baskerville stayed only a short time, leaving before a session (which was done as a trio). Baritone Milton Turner was added by the end of 1967. In late 1969, Milton Turner left and was replaced by another singer named Charlie Thomas (who took the nickname Don Thomas to avoid confusion with the former member). This lineup lasted only a few months. By March 1970, 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 that was subsequently sold to Atlantic. "A Rose By Any Other Name" and "Be My Lady" became the Drifters' last Atlantic release.
Post-Atlantic career
After this, the Drifters moved to [place[England[/place] and underwent the usual bewildering personnel changes. Throughout the 1970s, the only charted records for the group were on the British charts - notably "Kissing In The Back Row Of The Movies", "There Goes My First Love" and "You're More Than A Number In My Little Red Book". Along with Moore and Fredricks, Butch Leake and former Ink Spots mamber Grant Kitchings[/bandmember were members initially. Fredricks was replaced by [bandmember]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.
Moore left in 1978 and was replaced by Ray Lewis. Blunt and Billy Lewis left in 1979 and were replaced by the returning Johnny Moore and former Temptations lead Louis Price. Moore left again in late 1982, along with Clyde Brown. They were replaced by two returning members, Ben Nelson (a.k.a. Ben E. King) and Bill Fredricks.
Around this time, members left and rejoined frequently. Fredricks, Lewis, and Price left in 1983 and were replaced by the returning Johnny Moore, Joe Blunt, and Clyde Brown. In 1986, the group changed all of its members and the new lineup consisted of new member Jonah Ellis and former members Ray Lewis, Billy Lewis, and Louis Price. The next year, more former members came in as replacements, making the group Moore, Billy and Ray Lewis, and Gene Jenkins (replaced shortly after by George Chandler, then John Thurston). Ray Lewis was out in 1988, and was replaced by Joe Cofie. In 1989, Billy Lewis left, and replaced by the returning George Chandler, then Tony Jackson, Keith John, and finally Peter Lamarr in 1990.
Thurston was out at the end of the year and was replaced by Roy Hemmings. Patrick Alan was in for Lamaar briefly. Lamaar left in 1991 and was replaced by Rohan Delano Turney. This lineup lasted until 1996, when Cofie was out and Jason Leigh was in. Leigh was replaced after two years by the returning Peter Lamarr.
Tragedy struck in 1999 when the group's longest serving member, Johnny Moore, died. Patrick Alan returned to the group, keeping it a quartet. Lamarr left again in 2003, and was replaced by Victor Bynoe. Hemmings left in 2004 and was replaced by the again-returning Lamarr. The group's current lineup is Peter Lamarr, Rohan Delano Turney, Patrick Alan, and Victor Bynoe. [5] This line up is fully endorsed by Johnny Moore's wife and in Allan, Lamarr and Turner actually contains three of the longest serving Drifters members.
In 2001, Faye Treadwell left the United Kingdom, allegedly due to bankruptcy. Two members of her company, Mark Lundquist and Phil Lunderman, started a new management company, Drifters UK Limited, to run the group. Their new duties included stopping a patent by an imposter Drifters group. [6][7]
As of December 2006, writs have been served in the London High Court by Tina Treadwell, daughter of George and Faye, against Lundquist and Lunderman, alleging they are not the rightful controllers of The Drifters. Tina's group features Roy Hemmings and Jason Leigh. It should be noted that Hemmings remained with Lundquist and Lunderman initially, leaving three years after the formation of Drifters UK Limited.[8][9] It will be interesting to see how things transpire should Treadwell win her case, since the current Drifters lineup touring the UK has built up a fan base selling out one tour after another with Johnny Moore and continuing after his death. 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.[1]
On July 4, 2007, Bill Pinkney died of a heart attack in his room at the Hilton Hotel, Daytona Beach, Florida, where he was in town to perform for the 4th of July Red, White and Boom Event.[2]
In 2009, the lineup consists of Damion Charles, Michael Williams, Steve V. King and Maurice Cannon. For tour dates and more info go to www.theofficialdrifters.com
There was also a Japanese vocal group called the Drifters although the romanisation of their name (ザドリフタース) yields many variations: Doriftas, Dorifutas, Dorihutasu, etc.
The original Drifters
Ahmet Ertegün 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 lasted for only 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 Thrasherand 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 on the second session, which produced the group's first major hit: "Money Honey".
After the session, Ferbee was involved in an accident and left the group and Adams died (to be replaced by Jimmy Oliver). Ferbee was not replaced and the voice parts were shifted around: Gerhart Thrasher became first tenor, Andrew Thrasher was now the baritone, and Bill Pinkney shifted down to bass. The group released several more hits ("Such A Night," [1][2] "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 [bandmember from=1953 to=1956[artist]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.
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 native Johnny Moore (of The Hornets). This lineup 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 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.
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 "(April, 1993)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).
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 lineup 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.
Since Treadwell owned the rights to the name "Drifters," and since he still had a year's worth of bookings for the Apollo, he recruited another group, The Five Crowns, featuring lead singer Ben E. King. The group changed its name to the "Drifters" and went out on the road to tour for almost a year, although this new group had no connection to the prior Drifters.
Bill Pinkney's "Original Drifters"
Meanwhile, Bill Pinkney and other "fired" Drifters once again joined with the Thrashers and David Baughan to begin touring as "The Original Drifters" (although their first recordings, for End in 1959, were as the "Harmony Grits"). Baughan left after a short time, leaving the group a trio. Bobby Lee Hollis joined in 1964 and took over the lead spot. Later that year, Andrew Thrasher was out and Jimmy Lewis was in. Bobby Hendricks returned, making the group a quintet for a short time, before Lewis left. Andrew Thrasher returned, replacing Hollis. Hollis and Baughan bounced in and out through the 1960s. By 1968, the group was Pinkney, Gerhart Thrasher, Hollis, and Hendricks. At this point, the group split.
Pinkney met with an existing group, The Tears, and recruited them as the new Original Drifters. The Tears were Benny Anderson, George Wallace, Albert Fortson, and Mark Williams. Shortly after recruiting them, they broke away from Pinkney and continued touring as the Original Drifters for over a decade (Pinkney filed suit and successfully stopped them at that time).
Pinkney then brought in new members Bruce Caesar, Clarence "Tex" Walker, and Bruce Richardson. The lineup changed rapidly. In 1979 the group was Pinkney, Andrew Lawyer, Chuck Cockerham, Harriel Jackson, and Tony Cook. Their 1995 album Peace in the Valley, on Blackberry Records, credited vocals to Pinkney, Cockerham, Richard Knight Dunbar, Vernon Young, and Greg Johnson. [3][4] They appeared on the PBS special, Doo Wop 51 with Pinkney, Dunbar, Johnson, and Bobby Hendricks. The current lineup is Pinkney, Cockerham, Dunbar, Young, and Clyde McPhatter's son, Billy McPhatter. Greg Johnson is now in Bobby Hendricks' Drifters.
The second Drifters
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 "Poppa" Clark was the fifth member; he was not included in the new group.
This new lineup released several singles that became chart hits: "There Goes My Baby," the first commercial rock-and-roll recording to include a string orchestra, "Dance With Me," "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. 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 hits such as "Some Kind Of Wonderful," "Please Stay," and "Up on the Roof." While recording "Please Stay," songwriter Burt Bacharach met Dionne Warwick, a backup singer, thus beginning a legendary partnership.
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.
Later that year, the group was scheduled to record "Under the Boardwalk" on May 21. However, Rudy Lewis died the night before the session, and Johnny Moore took over as the sole lead (he and Lewis had been alternating). Terry was replaced in 1966 by Dan Dandridge for a couple of months, then by William Brent, who had been with Johnny Moore in The Hornets in 1954. Gene Pearson was replaced by Rick Sheppard that same year. By late 1966, baritone/bass Bill Fredricks replaced William Brent. Charlie Thomas, the group's last "original member" (from the day The Five Crowns had become the Drifters), left in mid-1967 and was replaced by Charles Baskerville, a former member of The Limelites. Baskerville stayed only a short time, leaving before a session (which was done as a trio). Baritone Milton Turner was added by the end of 1967. In late 1969, Milton Turner left and was replaced by another singer named Charlie Thomas (who took the nickname Don Thomas to avoid confusion with the former member). This lineup lasted only a few months. By March 1970, 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 that was subsequently sold to Atlantic. "A Rose By Any Other Name" and "Be My Lady" became the Drifters' last Atlantic release.
Post-Atlantic career
After this, the Drifters moved to [place[England[/place] and underwent the usual bewildering personnel changes. Throughout the 1970s, the only charted records for the group were on the British charts - notably "Kissing In The Back Row Of The Movies", "There Goes My First Love" and "You're More Than A Number In My Little Red Book". Along with Moore and Fredricks, Butch Leake and former Ink Spots mamber Grant Kitchings[/bandmember were members initially. Fredricks was replaced by [bandmember]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.
Moore left in 1978 and was replaced by Ray Lewis. Blunt and Billy Lewis left in 1979 and were replaced by the returning Johnny Moore and former Temptations lead Louis Price. Moore left again in late 1982, along with Clyde Brown. They were replaced by two returning members, Ben Nelson (a.k.a. Ben E. King) and Bill Fredricks.
Around this time, members left and rejoined frequently. Fredricks, Lewis, and Price left in 1983 and were replaced by the returning Johnny Moore, Joe Blunt, and Clyde Brown. In 1986, the group changed all of its members and the new lineup consisted of new member Jonah Ellis and former members Ray Lewis, Billy Lewis, and Louis Price. The next year, more former members came in as replacements, making the group Moore, Billy and Ray Lewis, and Gene Jenkins (replaced shortly after by George Chandler, then John Thurston). Ray Lewis was out in 1988, and was replaced by Joe Cofie. In 1989, Billy Lewis left, and replaced by the returning George Chandler, then Tony Jackson, Keith John, and finally Peter Lamarr in 1990.
Thurston was out at the end of the year and was replaced by Roy Hemmings. Patrick Alan was in for Lamaar briefly. Lamaar left in 1991 and was replaced by Rohan Delano Turney. This lineup lasted until 1996, when Cofie was out and Jason Leigh was in. Leigh was replaced after two years by the returning Peter Lamarr.
Tragedy struck in 1999 when the group's longest serving member, Johnny Moore, died. Patrick Alan returned to the group, keeping it a quartet. Lamarr left again in 2003, and was replaced by Victor Bynoe. Hemmings left in 2004 and was replaced by the again-returning Lamarr. The group's current lineup is Peter Lamarr, Rohan Delano Turney, Patrick Alan, and Victor Bynoe. [5] This line up is fully endorsed by Johnny Moore's wife and in Allan, Lamarr and Turner actually contains three of the longest serving Drifters members.
In 2001, Faye Treadwell left the United Kingdom, allegedly due to bankruptcy. Two members of her company, Mark Lundquist and Phil Lunderman, started a new management company, Drifters UK Limited, to run the group. Their new duties included stopping a patent by an imposter Drifters group. [6][7]
As of December 2006, writs have been served in the London High Court by Tina Treadwell, daughter of George and Faye, against Lundquist and Lunderman, alleging they are not the rightful controllers of The Drifters. Tina's group features Roy Hemmings and Jason Leigh. It should be noted that Hemmings remained with Lundquist and Lunderman initially, leaving three years after the formation of Drifters UK Limited.[8][9] It will be interesting to see how things transpire should Treadwell win her case, since the current Drifters lineup touring the UK has built up a fan base selling out one tour after another with Johnny Moore and continuing after his death. 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.[1]
On July 4, 2007, Bill Pinkney died of a heart attack in his room at the Hilton Hotel, Daytona Beach, Florida, where he was in town to perform for the 4th of July Red, White and Boom Event.[2]
In 2009, the lineup consists of Damion Charles, Michael Williams, Steve V. King and Maurice Cannon. For tour dates and more info go to www.theofficialdrifters.com
There was also a Japanese vocal group called the Drifters although the romanisation of their name (ザドリフタース) yields many variations: Doriftas, Dorifutas, Dorihutasu, etc.
Whatcha Gonna Do
The Drifters Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Whatcha Gonna Do' by these artists:
112 You tell me you're keepin' it real with me You tell…
112 feat. MJG You tell me you're keepin' it real with me You tell…
112 MJG You tell me you're keepin' it real with me You tell…
2 Pac (Feat Kastro & Young Noble) Hell yeah And ugh I started out dumb sprung off a hood…
2Pac (feat. The Outlawz) Hell yeah And ugh I started out dumb sprung off a hood…
2PAC - BETTER DAYZ Hell yeah And ugh I started out dumb sprung off a hood…
2Pac / Kastro / Noble Young Hell yeah And ugh I started out dumb sprung off a hood…
2Pac feat. Kastro & Young Noble Hell yeah And ugh I started out dumb sprung off a hood…
2pac feat. Storm And uh, I started out dumb Sprung of a hood rat…2Pac featuring Tha Outlawz Hell yeah And ugh I started out dumb sprung off a hood…
2pac ft Storm [Verse 1: 2Pac] I started out dumb, sprung off o' 'hood…
2Pac Kasbro & Young Noble Hell yeah And ugh I started out dumb sprung off a hood…
2Pac Kastro Young Noble Hell yeah And ugh I started out dumb sprung off a hood…
2Pac/Kastro/Noble Young Hell yeah And ugh I started out dumb sprung off a hood…
Akon/Brian McKnight/Juvenile Thought about it, no doubt about it When you seek you…
Alan and The Flames Tell me what you gonna do, yeah I wanna hold your…
Alice in Chains Hey now baby whatcha gonna do when I go? Hey now…
Allan & the Flames Tell me what you gonna do, yeah I wanna hold your…
Big Pun & Hector Lavoe Yo, yo, yo, yo Yo, yo, yo, yo Yo, yo…
Big Pun Dr. G It ain't easy Loving Me I tend to put the blinders on When…
Big Pun feat. Terror Squad Yo, yo, yo, yo Yo, yo, yo, yo Yo, yo…
Big Pun ft. Terror Squad Yo, yo, yo, yo Yo, yo, yo, yo Yo, yo…
Billie Yeah, thought you had me played huh? Well, check this out,…
Billy Harner Whatcha gonna do Whatcha gonna say I'm in love with you What…
Blaze Hear the crowd, live and loud Look at all of our…
Bob Dylan By Bob Dylan…
Brian McKnight Thought about it, no doubt about it When you seek you…
Chief & Deheb Its Monday Whatchu gon do wit it I'm saying that a nigga…
Chilliwack Whatcha gonna do when I'm gone? Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha go…
Chris LeDoux with Garth Brooks I can see you got your eye on this old…
Clyde McPhatter %26 The Drifters Doo-Doo-Doo-Doo-OH-OH Doo-Doo-Doo-Doo Tell me whatcha gonna…
Courtney Parker Hey yeah remember one thing as you're moving out the thing…
Cowboy Mouth St Louis, hot summer Got the sudden urge to call my…
Craig David & Artful Dodger Drop the funk, drop the base Hit it, hit it for…
CRUISE Pablo Whatcha gonna do when she says goodbye Whatcha gonna do when…D.O.A. Hey, right Whatcha gonna do Bout whatcha gonna do? Whatch…
Danni Leigh (Kevin Welch) Where you gonna go, babe When the sun goes…
Denny Doherty Whatcha gonna do with the water? Whatcha gonna do with the…
DJ Tuniziano vs. Tupac Hell yeah And ugh I started out dumb sprung off a hood…
DMX Uh, uh What, what Yeah, yeah (uh) Uh-huh uh, uh Uh-huh uh, u…
DMX/Jayo Felony/Method Man [Chorus] I say I can give it to you but whatcha gon…
Doa Hey, right Whatcha gonna do Bout whatcha gonna do? Whatcha g…
Dolly Spectra Oh my god You found me in the wrong I played you…
Dream What we gonna do about us What we gonna do about…
Eric Clapton Mama, mama, dem hold papa, Say they charge him fe' smoke…
FireFly Whatcha gon do, whatcha gon do, whatcha gon do, whatcha…
Fortay In the club new clothes that I wear once After this…
Foxy Brown [Intro: Young Gavin] Fox Five, let's go [Verse One: Foxy Br…
Frank McComb [Intro: Young Gavin] Fox Five, let's go [Verse One: Foxy…
George Jones What'cha gonna do when I said bye bye What'cha gonna do…
Gospel Gangstaz (Verse 1) I take time and holler at the Father, what…
Gts Feat. Rochelle Fleming 혼자로 며칠째 절심함이 강해졌어 뭔가를 하려니 워 안되네 멋진내 모습도 Today 더욱…
Hi-Flyers Tell me what you gonna do, yeah I wanna hold your…
Imelda May You've played your silly games And now I've had enough of…
Ina Forsman Shes walking with those 6 inch heels Makes it look so…
Inner City (Doo doo doo-doo) Ooh I'm wishin', boy I've got my eyes…
Ivvy Yeah, okay, it's show time Don't worry, be happy, yeah, yeah…
Jay-O-Felony Uh, uh What, what Yeah, yeah (uh) Uh-huh uh, uh Uh-huh uh, u…
Jayo Felony Dmx Method Man [Chorus] I say I can give it to you but whatcha…
Jayo Felony feat. Method Man & DMX Uh, uh What, what Yeah, yeah (uh) Uh-huh uh, uh Uh-huh uh, u…
Jayo Felony ft Method Man & DMX [Chorus] I say I can give it to you but whatcha…
Jayo Felony Redman WC Mack 10 [Chorus] I say I can give it to you but whatcha gon…
Jones George What'cha gonna do when I said bye bye What'cha gonna do…
Jun Kung My ears are bleeding But you keep feeding Why don’t…
K-Hand What you gonna do what you want to prove I heard…
Keira Moran Don’t keep me waiting Show me that you want me One thing…
Ken Yokoyama Think of a no-returning feeling darling That is so alone,…
Knightowl feat Bone Thugs [Knightowl] Now what you gonna do fool What the fuck you got…
Knoc‐Turn’Al Your gone but love love is still here baby Your making…
Koopsta Knicca Hand in hand Koreana [Official Seoul 1988 Olympic Games Song…
L.T.D. Never let a punk get away with murder Gun shots, gun…
Lee Curtis & The All Stars Though you don't call anymore I sit and wait in vain I…
Link And I really wanna sex your bodyAnd I really wannaAnd…
M. Doc What Cha gonna do, now that you Have a plan What Cha…
Mad Caddies Layin' awake again and I don't know what's happening I'm se…
Margaret Grace I hate to carry on this way but Where you spending…
Mark I'm gonna make you a promise Starting tonight If I never do…
Mark A. Smith We could talk it out all night Till the morning light And…
Martina McBride Its either black or white Its either wrong or right You don'…
Method Man & DMX Uh, uh What, what Yeah, yeah (uh) Uh-huh uh, uh Uh-huh uh, u…
Monifah You done fucked up with this bitch Nigga lucked up with…
Mr. June Bug What you niggaz gon do Whatever you want to Whatever you…
Nappy Roots [Big V] Yeah Country boys, Nappy Roots Lil' John, King of Cr…
New Kids on the Block Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, baby. Girl, you've done…
New Riders Of The Purple Sage Dawson Watcha gonna do on the planet today Missy you're …
NGT48 人間はどうして大人になっても こんなに涙を流すのだろう？ 悲しみはずっと この胸のどこかで 堰き止められて消えはしないの…
Nobody's Angel (watcha gonna do?) (and i think i deserve a second chance) (…
Nobodys Angel Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do? And I think I deserve a…
O.G. Cell-E-Cel Hey, right Whatcha gonna do Bout whatcha gonna do? Whatcha g…
Pablo Cruise Whatcha gonna do when she says goodbye Whatcha gonna do when…
Peter Tosh Mama, mama, dem hold papa Seh dem charge him for…
Phillip & The Faithfuls You are not a victim, We both played a part So…
Piper Yeah, thought you had me played huh? Well, check this out,…
Redman -FT- Mack 10 & WC [Chorus] I say I can give it to you but whatcha gon…
Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks Hey there Whatcha gonna do Whatcha gonna do When you start h…
Rosewood Ave BOY I'M LOVIN THE SPELL YOU KNOW GOOD AND WELL YOU'RE…
Shamar Forte Why aren’t we doing down Ain’t nobody to save me now Everybo…
Shyne Once upon a time, not long ago When gangstas rocked waves…
Smokey Robinson Whatcha gonna do With those beautiful fingers When you strok…
Sonny Burgess & The Pacers and i'm going home let the motor roll. spend rest…
Sprung Monkey Lately I've been wonderin who I am BecauSe it's coming clear…
T.I. & Maino Bout to hit the club and show my muthafuckin ass Driving…
T.U.R.F. Uh M.C Check me out, aye Every day, I wake up, and it's…
Tatiana Moroz Whatcha gonna do when they come for you? …
Teddy Douglas I hate to carry on this way but Where you spending…
Terror Squad (ft. Big Pun) Yo, yo, yo, yo Yo, yo, yo, yo Yo, yo…
Terror Squad feat. Big Pun Yo, yo, yo, yo Yo, yo, yo, yo Yo, yo…
The Damned and Dirty what you gonna do for the rest of your life? what…
The Hi-Flyers Tell me what you gonna do, yeah I wanna hold your…
The Lonely Biscuits I dive right into those big blue eyes and swim…
The Rockin' 8-Balls Roach spraid on the block Then I took my throwback Now my…
The Valdons Stop Oh child Listen Naturally the voice within me that spea…
Tim Tim Should've seen the look on the face of the boss…
Tom Jones While you're running around bawling Or playing at clubs eve…
Tom Jones & Les Reed While you're running around bawling Or playing at clubs ever…
Tyler Collins I remember when I was the center of your attention You made…
Us3 Uh M.C Check me out, aye Every day, I wake up, and it's…
Vil.N.X And you can't keep runnin in and out of my…
Wilbur Sweatman And His Orchestra I was talkin' to the whippoorwill He says you got a…
Z-Formation Yo yo yo, yo yo yo, yo yo yo (yeah,…
Zhigge I'm gonna slam, Face give em the bass and let…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Drifters:
(If You Cry) True Love, True Love The Drifters Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman Bom, bom,…
(You're More Than a Number) In My Little Red Book mirame acercate un poquito que quiero sentir tu cuerpo de pr…
Adorable Adorable, dorable, dorable, dorable baby You're adorable, s…
And With No Regrets Too much rocking for a Tuesday night Yeah I don't…
Ännu En Dag Du, dela en dag med mig Det är morgon i mitt…
Another Night With The Boys Looks like I'll spend another night with the boys I tried,…
Another Saturday Night Well Saturday night at 8 o'clock I know where I'm gonna…
Any Day Now Any day now I will hear you say "Goodbye, my…
Anything you say And If I could write a million songs you know…
At the Club Well, Friday night Has finally come around And me and my bab…
Auld Lang Syne Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to min…
Baby What I Mean Yeah, baby, you know That I mean what I say Say what…
Bad To Me I think you're fucking evil I think you're fucking mad I wan…
Baltimore Beat-up little seagull On a marble stair Tryin' to find the …
Be-Bop-A-Lula (Vaya con Dios, my darlin) (Vaya con Dios, vaya con Dios,…
Bells Of Saint Mary The bells of St.Mary's I hear they are calling The young lov…
Best Of My Love Oh my love, oh my love You know that I can't…
Bip Bam Bip bam, thank you m'am Kisses taste like candy jam You can…
Bobby's Girl I wanna be Bobby's girl, I wanna be Bobby's girl. That's…
Bring It On Home If you ever change your mind About leavin', leavin' me behin…
Can I Take You Home Little Girl Everybody knows you came with him But another girl caught h…
Can I Take You Home Little Girl ? Everybody knows you came with him But another girl caught hi…
Chains Of Love The chains of love are the kind That bind me to…
Christmas Ain't Christmas Doo doo, doo doo Doop doop, doop doo doop Doo doo, doo…
Come On Over To My Place Little girl, you look so lonesome I see you are feeling…
Crazy for You And If I could write a million songs you know…
Cupid Cupid, Cupid, draw back your bow and let your arrow…
Dance with Me Dance with me.... Dance with me.... Dance with me.... Dance …
Deck the Halls Deck the halls with boughs of holly Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-l…
Det är vi Står här i regnet och hoppas att du ska passera Står…
Det Finns En Jag är trött på dig å ditt vackra smil Trött på…
Devil In Me Well, I could be persuaded Yes I could Ask me very nicely…
Do You Have To Go Now Do you have to go now, do you have to Oh,…
Don T Go I don't want to Go on without you It's so bad to…
Don't Act Like You Don't Know You don't know what it's like to be me You don't…
don't be a fool Will you lie to me just one more time Will you…
Don't Dog Me When I said, ""I needed you"" You said, ""You would always…
Don't Go Please Stay Don't go (Please stay) Don't go (Please stay) If I got on…
Don't Play That Song Don't play it no more Don't play it no more Don't play…
Don't Slam The Door I was a fool to trust you And a bigger fool…
Dont Dog Me When I said, ""I needed you"" You said, ""You would always…
Dont Slam The Door I was a fool to trust you And a bigger fool…
Down on the Beach Tonight Say you'll meet me down on the beach tonight Where you…
Drifters It's been a long haul L.a. to la We've always done it…
Drifting Away from You I, I, I used to be happy, happy and so…
Drip Drip Drip, drip, drippity drop Drip, drip, drippity drop The roo…
Du bara du Å så himlen grät, dagen då vi skildes När vi stod…
En dans på rosor En dans på rosor. Ingen kan lova dig en dans på…
En tuff brud i lyxförpackning Jag är en tuff brud i lyxförpackning En tuff brud i…
Everlasting Love Hearts go astray, leaving hurt when they go. I went away…
Every Night Every night and day I'll be loving you Loving you Loving you…
Follow Me I′m getting tired of doing nothing Wasting time I know there…
Fools Fall in Love Well, fools fall in love in a hurry Fools give their…
För Nu har det åter hänt, snart så ger jag opp Nu…
Free You graced me with an afternoon I feel I'm walking on…
Gone Today you tell me you're leavin' That your love for me…
Håll mig hårt Som hav utan land Som ett fartyg långt från hamn Kände jag…
Honey Bee You know, the landlord rang my front door bell- I let…
Honey Love Love me, love me, love me, love me, lo Love me,…
Honey You're Heaven To Me Do you ever think of me anymore darlin' Does your mind…
I Go and find the The kind of girl Who thinks you're…
I Can Help If you've got a problem, I don't care what it…
I Count The Stars Na, na, na, na, na, na late at night Na, na,…
I Count the Tears Na,na,na,na,na,na late at nite Na,na,na,na,na,na late at nit…
I Count the Years Na, na, na, na, na, na late at night Na, na,…
I Don't Want to Go on Without You I don't want to Go on without you It's so bad to…
I Got A Feeling Oh, the boardwalk's deserted There's nobody down by the shor…
I Know All I know All I want All I have It's a long time…
I Make Believe In the land of make believe You're mine tonight although you…
I REMEMBER CHRISTMAS I'll be home for Christmas; You can count on me. Please…
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus Underneath the mistletoe las…
I Understand I won't ever understand Why you'd turn on me I won't ever…
I Who Have Nothing I, I who have nothing I, I who have no one Adore…
I Wish You Love Late nights with you Long fights with you My hearts so broke…
I'll Take You Home Everybody knows you came with him But another girl caught hi…
I'll Take You Where The Music's Playing Hey, little girl I hear somebody broke your heart I hear tha…
I'm Ready I've been dreaming 'bout a sunny place With shorter shadows …
I've Got a Woman Oh, the boardwalk's deserted There's nobody down by the shor…
If I Didn't Love You Like I Do Won't you try try baby, love me one more time Try…
If You Cry Bom, bom, bom Bom, bom, bom Bom, bom, bom Bom, bom, bom If …
In My Little Red Book oooooooooo yeah yeah, You're more than a number in my little…
In The Land Of Make Believe In the land of make believe You're mine tonight although you…
In the Still of the Night In the still of the night As I gaze out of…
In This Land Of Make Believe In the land of make believe You're mine tonight although you…
It Was a Tear Well a man walked down by Galilee so the Holy…
Ive Got Sand In My Shoes Oh, the boardwalk's deserted There's nobody down by the shor…
Jag Ãnskar Att Det Alltid Vore Sommar Vill tala om hurdant det känns att finna kärlek och sen bli …
Jag Räknar Ner Du talade med vackra ord om allt du ville ge Och…
Jag Såg Mamma Kyssa Tomten Jag såg mamma kyssa tomten jag Tänk om våran pappa kommit…
Jag Vill Sjunga Ut Min Glädje När jag drar upp min rullgardin och solen tittar in Och…
Josephine There never was a gal I could love, like I…
Jul Jul Strålande Jul Jul jul strålande jul glans över vita skogar Himmelens krono…
Kärleken är evig Står här i regnet och hoppas att du ska passera Står…
Kissin Your mama says that through the week You can't go out…
Kissin In The Backrow Of The Verse 1 Your mama says that through the week you can't go…
Kissin' in the Back Row Your mama says that through the week You can't go out…
Kissing In The Back Row Of The Movies Your mama says that through the week You can't go out…
Kissinin the Back row of the Movies Your mama says that through the week You can't go out…
Let the Boogie Woogie Roll Let the boogie woogie roll Cause I feel so sad Well, my…
Let The Music Play Let the music play Just a little longer Just a little longer…
Let's Get It On I've been really tryin', baby Tryin' to hold back this feeli…
Let's Groove Let's groove tonight Share the spice of life Baby slice i…
Like Sister It's such a small town girl, news travels faster than…
Litle Drummer Boy Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum Our newborn King…
Living Doll Got myself a crying, talking, sleeping, walking, living doll…
Ljudet av mitt hjärta Stillheten och tystnaden har lagt sig Du ser på mig som…
Lonely Winds Lonely wind, lonely wind Lonely wind, lonely wind Lonely wi…
Long Lonely Nights Long, long and lonely nights I cry my eyes out over…
Lonley Winds Lonely wind, lonely wind Lonely wind, lonely wind Lonely wi…
Love Me Like a Rock It starts with two hearts fractured in the dark Broken and…
Lover's Question Does she love me, with all her heart Should I worry,…
Lucille Lucille, you won't do your daddy's will Lucille, you won't d…
Mad About You I rode into town by train To see if I could…
Makin' love What would people say? What would people do? What would peop…
Marie Du är den dröm som jag har, å jag vill vara…
Me and Bobby McGee Busted flat in Baton Rouge Waitin' for the train Feelin' nea…
Memories Are Made Of This The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me You can't beat the…
Mexican Divorce It's a sin for you to get a mexican divorce Down…
Money Honey You know, the landlord rang my front door bell-- I let…
Money Honey (with Clyde McPhatter) By the time I was your age, I'd give anything To…
Moonlight Bay We were sailing along on Moonlight Bay We could hear the…
More Tonight I'm going for a ride let's take a drive…
Move It Come on pretty baby, let's move it and groove it Well,…
My Girl I've got sunshine on a cloudy day When it's cold outside…
My Girl & I've Got Sand In My Shoes Oh, the boardwalk's deserted There's nobody down by the shor…
När Du Tar Mig I Din Famn Ingenting blev som förr när du stängde min dörr Och jag…
Nobody But Me Who's gonna kiss you when it's kissing time Kissing time, ki…
Oh My Love Oh my love, oh my love You know that I can't…
On Bended Knee Darling, I, I can′t explain Where did we lose our way Girl,…
On Broadway They say the neon lights are bright On Broadway (on Broadway…
On The Street Where You Live I have often walked Down the street before, But the paveme…
One Way Love Go and find the The kind of girl Who thinks you're…
Only In America Only in America Can a guy from anywhere Go to sleep a…
Only You I don't know what it is that makes me love…
Please Don't Freeze Don't go (Please stay) Don't go (Please stay) If I got on…
Please Please (Please stay) don't go Please stay If I got on my knees…
Please Stay Don't go (Please stay) Don't go (Please stay) If I got on…
Quando Quando Quando Tell me when will you be mine Tell me quando,…
Rat Race You know it's cruel Out here in this rat race There's just…
Ring Ring Tyst och död är telefon Står där nästan som ett hån Inte…
Ring till mig Jag går omkring och väntar på att du ska ringa…
Room Full Of Tears A room full of tears A room full of tears Raindrops keep…
Ruby Baby (Ruby, Ruby, Ruby baby) (Ruby, Ruby, Ruby baby) Well, I've …
Run Rudolph Run Everybody knows what you've done And still you need to…
Safe The Last Dance For Me You can dance every dance with the guy Who gives you…
Sand In My Shoes I've Got Sand In My Shoes by The Drifters Oh, the boardwal…
Santa Claus I just came back from a lovely trip along the…
Saturday Night at the Movies Well Saturday night at 8 o'clock I know where I'm gonna…
SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIS Well, Saturday night at eight o'clock I know where I'm gonna…
Save The Last Dance You can dance Every dance with the guy who gives you…
Save The Last Dance Foe Me You can dance every dance with the guy Who gives you…
Save the Last Dance for Me You can dance Every dance with the guy Who gives…
and many more tracks by The Drifters.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@pablohaya1923
Unos coros maravillosos con un ritmo trepidante
@rockyesterline7942
A friend of mine last night told me he was playing with the cover band The Drifters So I listened to the original baby what you going to do! Great song so I am learning it now! LOL Rocky and the Capital hurricanes
@jeffreyconyers8735
Before the Temptations these guys were the group to notice with lead and the harmony.
@TheBaylor22
One of the great rocknroll songs of all time,by one of finest groups ever put together. The Temptations were fabulous. Excellent singers, phenomenal writers, and wonderful choreography. That said, as good as they were, as good as they sang, not one of them were as talented as the
Drifter’s top three leads. No slight to the Temps. That’s just how
good that group was.
Whatcha Gonna Do, Come Go With Me, and the Drifter’s original rendition of Ruby Baby are still the best pure rock n roll songs I’ve ever heard.
@robertthomas615
This was the last Drifters' single on which Clyde McPhatter was billed and sang lead. He left after this session for a solo career (also on Atlantic) and was "replaced" by Johnny Moore for their next hit, Adorable, a cover of a tune by a wesst coast group, The Colts.
@crankyshay3093
I loved this song it played all the time in my house those oldies but goodies yes I loved listening it makes me so proud listening to the music from old very very nice I say
@lindadee2053
A great rocker from the early Drifters!
@NI000NoIdentity
Check out the series "Pop Music Artists Rock Era" on youtube, alphabetical from A through E has been released, every artists complete hits career is found and many long forgotten songs and artist. It is an encyclopedia of the Rock era with every kind of music that was on the radio. It is Absolute Perfection.The Whole series will be out by Christmas.
@Mike_The_1950s_Historian
This rocker by Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters makes me want to replace the lyrics with "Come on baby, let's do The Twist!"😁
Well, apparently this song is the source for Hank Ballard and The Modnighters' dance song, which of course, became the monster phenomenon when Ernest "Chubby Checker" Evans redid it.
@markjarrett9794
In my humble opinion, this was the first rock and roll song. It still gives me a chill. Clyde McPhatter kills it. ❤ to Jerry Wexler. Check out Deep Sea Ball and Hank Ballard Finger Poppin Time