ABSTRACT
With the possible exception of the Dells, the Drifters were more successful in adapting to stylistic changes within the pop music scene than any other doo-wop group. Beginning as a rhythm and blues act in the early 1950s, they shifted to a more pop-oriented sound to remain leading hitmakers throughout the classic rock ‘n’ roll era, and were still regularly denting the
charts at the peak of the British Invasion, folk rock, and Motown Soul. Clyde McPhatter, formerly lead singer with Billy Ward’s Dominoes, formed the
Drifters in 1953 with second tenor Gerhard Thrasher, baritone Andrew Thrasher, and bass Bill Pinkney. Before McPhatter entered the Army in the mid-1950s, the group enjoyed a string of R&B hits featuring his smooth, sexy tenor voice, most notably “Money Honey” (Atlantic 1006; 1953; #1 R&B 11 weeks), “Such A Night”/“Lucille” (Atlantic 1019; 1954; #2/#7 R&B), “Honey Love” (Atlantic 1029; 1954; #1 R&B 8 weeks, #21 pop), “Bip Bam” (Atlantic 1043; 1954; #7 R&B), “White Christmas” (Atlantic 1048; 1954/1955/1956; #2/#5/#12 R&B), “What ‘Cha Gonna Do” (Atlantic 1055; #2), “Adorable”/“Steamboat” (Atlantic 1078; 1955; #1/#5 R&B), and “Ruby Baby” (Atlantic 1089; 1956; #10).
