This wiill take you back a spell. Thanks to a Christmas card I have been reintroduced to the Drifters... Of course I can go back to the early 50's with them.
I had the honor of introducing Charlie Thomas and the Drifters a couple of times...Charlie is one of the nicest people you could ever want to meet. Very down to earth and genuine.
Tennager,you got it right..Bill Pinckney,who sang Lead/Base on White Christmas,was the last surviving original Drifter.He was still performing at age 86 when he passed a couple of years ago.Also,Cant forget Rudy Lewis who sang lead on more Drifters hits than anyone,including "On Broadway",and "Up on the Roof".Rudy died tragically decades ago.A lotta pepole thought that it was Ben E.King who sang lead on the most Drifters hits,but it was Rudy.
As far as "Originals" go, you can only have one original. The Original Drifters included, Clyde McPhatter, William “Chick” Anderson (tenor), David Baldwin (baritone), James “Wrinkle” Johnson (bass), and David “Little Dave” Baughan (tenor). This was the 1953 lineup. Right now the closest one to a surviving original member would actually be Bobby Hendrixs who is still performing and also has a Drifters group. Ben E. King and Charlie Thomas didnt join the group till '58.
Any true Drifter fan from the 60s will really appreciate this video because you have Charlie Thomas singing lead (at that time Ben E. King would only record in the studio),
Elsberry Hobbs and I believe Doc Green. This performance is further enhanced by the appearance of guitarist Billy Davis. A big thank you to whoever posted this. This is as close as you can come to the "real" Drifters.
as all true drifters fans will know,charlie thomas left the drifters in 1967 having bought a taxi business in new york.The drifters replaced him and carried on.In 1971 the drifters still led by johnny moore moved to the uk .In 1971 whilst the official drifters were touring the uk charlie thomas was approached to sing at a concert in ny city.He got some of his mates together and performed as the drifters since then,being sued by the owners of the drifters the treadwell family.He still runs fakes
The legend that is Charlie Thomas. It doesn't get any better than this. I saw Johnny Moore singing with The Drifters 3 times and they were superb. But to see Charlie sing live this has made my evening so special. Thank you so much for putting this up. A life long Drifter fan has just had the best best night ever.
@tennagerofthe60s The last surviving member of the Original 1953 group of Drifters was Bill Pinkney. There have been many changes in the line up since it began, but Bill was the last member of the FIRST group. Be aware that there are many many permutations of Drifters but most of them never actually performed with any group of REAL Drifters. I vote that these groups be permitted to perform, keep the music alive and earn money, but need to bill themselves as a TRIBUTE SHOW.
@TheTigwelderguy A question if you don't mind: is there a REAL Drifters group still existing and performing? And, more or less in which year this video was registered? Thank you.
@tennagerofthe60s There are a few so called Original Drifter. The groups has had so many changes, it is difficult to really call anyone an original. However, the earliest member that is still performing is Bobby Hendrix. He does most of Clyde McPhatter's numbers. Then you have Ben E King and Charlies Thomas who took the group to new hights in the 60's. Ben was only in the group 2 yrs. Johnny Moore was with the group the longest from 64 til 98 when he past away in London.
1863?? Hahaha. More like 1959 to 1962?
abcsalabc 1 week ago
sweeter than wine.....
kabooki09 2 months ago
This wiill take you back a spell. Thanks to a Christmas card I have been reintroduced to the Drifters... Of course I can go back to the early 50's with them.
ddayladygirene 2 months ago
I had the honor of introducing Charlie Thomas and the Drifters a couple of times...Charlie is one of the nicest people you could ever want to meet. Very down to earth and genuine.
garymichael1950 2 months ago
what year was this?
MrZzachariah13 3 months ago
@MrZzachariah13 1863 i believe
brandonshanholtz 2 weeks ago
Tennager,you got it right..Bill Pinckney,who sang Lead/Base on White Christmas,was the last surviving original Drifter.He was still performing at age 86 when he passed a couple of years ago.Also,Cant forget Rudy Lewis who sang lead on more Drifters hits than anyone,including "On Broadway",and "Up on the Roof".Rudy died tragically decades ago.A lotta pepole thought that it was Ben E.King who sang lead on the most Drifters hits,but it was Rudy.
Davids508 5 months ago
As far as "Originals" go, you can only have one original. The Original Drifters included, Clyde McPhatter, William “Chick” Anderson (tenor), David Baldwin (baritone), James “Wrinkle” Johnson (bass), and David “Little Dave” Baughan (tenor). This was the 1953 lineup. Right now the closest one to a surviving original member would actually be Bobby Hendrixs who is still performing and also has a Drifters group. Ben E. King and Charlie Thomas didnt join the group till '58.
joeluis98 6 months ago
i just love this song.. no doubt about it =]
ashleehepfer 6 months ago
This song was "Magic" to me as a dancer on American Bandstand
- Bunny Gibson - Philly 'Regular" Thanks Drifters!!!
BunnyGibson1 8 months ago in playlist ben e king drifters
Any true Drifter fan from the 60s will really appreciate this video because you have Charlie Thomas singing lead (at that time Ben E. King would only record in the studio),
Elsberry Hobbs and I believe Doc Green. This performance is further enhanced by the appearance of guitarist Billy Davis. A big thank you to whoever posted this. This is as close as you can come to the "real" Drifters.
Cch092775 8 months ago
Comment removed
mattgrant70 9 months ago
as all true drifters fans will know,charlie thomas left the drifters in 1967 having bought a taxi business in new york.The drifters replaced him and carried on.In 1971 the drifters still led by johnny moore moved to the uk .In 1971 whilst the official drifters were touring the uk charlie thomas was approached to sing at a concert in ny city.He got some of his mates together and performed as the drifters since then,being sued by the owners of the drifters the treadwell family.He still runs fakes
paulsimms1 9 months ago
The legend that is Charlie Thomas. It doesn't get any better than this. I saw Johnny Moore singing with The Drifters 3 times and they were superb. But to see Charlie sing live this has made my evening so special. Thank you so much for putting this up. A life long Drifter fan has just had the best best night ever.
mattgrant70 10 months ago
I know these songs sang by Ben E King, who is really great. Still it's amazing hearing this versions. Very very good! Which are "the originals"?
tennagerofthe60s 11 months ago
@tennagerofthe60s The last surviving member of the Original 1953 group of Drifters was Bill Pinkney. There have been many changes in the line up since it began, but Bill was the last member of the FIRST group. Be aware that there are many many permutations of Drifters but most of them never actually performed with any group of REAL Drifters. I vote that these groups be permitted to perform, keep the music alive and earn money, but need to bill themselves as a TRIBUTE SHOW.
TheTigwelderguy 10 months ago
@TheTigwelderguy Thank you very much. Anyway the best is Ben E King with or without the Drifters.
tennagerofthe60s 10 months ago
@TheTigwelderguy A question if you don't mind: is there a REAL Drifters group still existing and performing? And, more or less in which year this video was registered? Thank you.
tennagerofthe60s 10 months ago
@tennagerofthe60s There are a few so called Original Drifter. The groups has had so many changes, it is difficult to really call anyone an original. However, the earliest member that is still performing is Bobby Hendrix. He does most of Clyde McPhatter's numbers. Then you have Ben E King and Charlies Thomas who took the group to new hights in the 60's. Ben was only in the group 2 yrs. Johnny Moore was with the group the longest from 64 til 98 when he past away in London.
joeluis98 6 months ago