Clyde was a music icon who I idolized. In fact, I'm not convinced Rock & Roll would have broken into the mainstream without he and Alan Freed. In 1955, me and a friend happened to meet Clyde walking outside Palisade Park in NJ where he was on leave from the Army. Heart pounding, I pleaded, "Clyde, can I have your autograph?" So accommodating, he replied, "Sure kid, got a pen?" OMG no - nor did he. Devastating moment in my life.
his son Ron Mcphatter (the secret child he had with Ruth Brown) looks just like him WOW! His son also was in why do fools fall in love movie he played The Platters lead singer!
I wrote before but forgot to mention that which I believe to be his best recording one without heavy backing which occasionally swamped his wonder voice..the track being a B side entitiled "Next To Me" which is just spell bindiing!!!!!!
There was artistic integrity. An artist was true to their art, not just $. Notice the good diction singers sang with; you could understand every word they uttered. We were a more "literate" society back then, people were readers, This is why the song writing is so superior to what we see today. Sam Cooke was an intellectual and read voraciously, as did Curtis Mayfield and Smokey Robinson. The spoke well, and were concerned with issues beyond money and personal fame; they set the standard.
he was a voice you could remember and his love songs were just great .. many a night many of us just sat and enjoyed his music .. i'll never forget him ..
A voice that could equal Sam Cooke's. There is no greater compliment. Clyde had an even more explosive and gymnastic tenor than Sam, but Sam had more feel as a writer and also had more good fortune than Clyde. Elvis was noted to have stated "I wish I could sing like Clyde McPhatter." I'm in quest of any gospel work by Clyde with the Mount Lebanon singers. At his best, he is on the pantheon with Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, and Marvin Gaye, among others. Quivering tenor genius. Ups for posting.
Am I the only one who interprets the end of this song as a sort of Romeo/Juliette, that she is dead and he know that when he dies she'll be there (the hereafter)? I can't remember if "Moody River" and "Tell Laura I Love Her" had the same narrative arc, but there were a few from the 50's and 60's that were weirdly suicide-themed. Again, I might be interpreting it incorrectly. Any thoughts?
Am I the only one who interprets the end of this song as a sort of Romeo/Juliette, that she is dead and he know that when he dies she'll be there (the hereafter)? I can't remember if "Moody River" had the same narrative arc, but there were a few from the 50's and 60's that were weirdly suicide-themed. Again, I might be interpreting it incorrectly. Any thoughts?
It is a real crying shame that so many black artists of that era have very, very little film footage of them performing LIVE, in studio, or stage. Their fame often predated the television networks willingness to show blacks, of any sort at all. And lo, so very many of them could not sustain their careers or lives into the late 60's or 70's when more opportunities arose. Like I said, a crying shame.
Yes, the drinking hurt Clyde, but as with many Black artists of the era, racism and discrimination hurt his career also. You may read up on Clyde in a book called, "Dream Boogie, the story of Sam Cooke". Sam and Clyde were best friends and both were active against racism and discrimination.
Have Mercy Baby. There is no other Clyde McPhatter. I heard him after reading about his music in the 90s. I bought him with the Dominoes & Drifters. It was long before my time, but I have loved his voice since.
Thanks for posting, Clyde also does "Rock & Cry" in the same movie. It's worth searching for. The true king of R&B, they'll never be another singer to match Clyde McPhatter.
@kiwihans Actually,he did make it. Sure,he didn't go as far as his talent should have taken him,but Clyde had many hits and was one of the biggest names in r&b. Think of the thousands of talented singers who have never made it in the music business. I think overall,Clyde was a success.
Clyde was a music icon who I idolized. In fact, I'm not convinced Rock & Roll would have broken into the mainstream without he and Alan Freed. In 1955, me and a friend happened to meet Clyde walking outside Palisade Park in NJ where he was on leave from the Army. Heart pounding, I pleaded, "Clyde, can I have your autograph?" So accommodating, he replied, "Sure kid, got a pen?" OMG no - nor did he. Devastating moment in my life.
KieranSaighir 1 week ago
He owned a record store in Mt. Vernon in New York back in 1958. I used to go there.
ThomasDeLello 2 months ago
What a heavenly voice... not sure what else to say.
avalemert 2 months ago
Can anyone write th lyrics, please? I didn´t understand the second verse.. Lovely lovely song
walkd1010 3 months ago
Schade das er so Früh von uns gegangen ist
704gnter 3 months ago
I dont know about anyone else today but i got the chills after watching this. I am going to do a version of it as soon as I can learn the song.
CountryBoyJoina 4 months ago
his son Ron Mcphatter (the secret child he had with Ruth Brown) looks just like him WOW! His son also was in why do fools fall in love movie he played The Platters lead singer!
IamDottieDandridge 4 months ago
Sad he died so young.
kimmy1984 5 months ago
Clyde that was out of this world.
soulman1950 8 months ago
I wrote before but forgot to mention that which I believe to be his best recording one without heavy backing which occasionally swamped his wonder voice..the track being a B side entitiled "Next To Me" which is just spell bindiing!!!!!!
666cricket 9 months ago
There was artistic integrity. An artist was true to their art, not just $. Notice the good diction singers sang with; you could understand every word they uttered. We were a more "literate" society back then, people were readers, This is why the song writing is so superior to what we see today. Sam Cooke was an intellectual and read voraciously, as did Curtis Mayfield and Smokey Robinson. The spoke well, and were concerned with issues beyond money and personal fame; they set the standard.
JayBabyTube18 11 months ago 3
@JayBabyTube18 Well said
yendor86 9 months ago
Clyde McPhatter was one of the best ever. You can put Sam Cooke, Brook Benton and Jackie Wilson in with him to be the BEST of that era (and beyond).
Clyde could sing anything and make it his own song.
More McPhatter videos, please.
judsons 1 year ago
he was a voice you could remember and his love songs were just great .. many a night many of us just sat and enjoyed his music .. i'll never forget him ..
sammythesquirrel17 1 year ago
Beautiful voice and Good looking!
Specialdark23 1 year ago
A voice that could equal Sam Cooke's. There is no greater compliment. Clyde had an even more explosive and gymnastic tenor than Sam, but Sam had more feel as a writer and also had more good fortune than Clyde. Elvis was noted to have stated "I wish I could sing like Clyde McPhatter." I'm in quest of any gospel work by Clyde with the Mount Lebanon singers. At his best, he is on the pantheon with Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, and Marvin Gaye, among others. Quivering tenor genius. Ups for posting.
drjimiboy69 1 year ago
I wish there was a video of him performing "White Christmas" with the Drifters
coolbreez318 1 year ago
Am I the only one who interprets the end of this song as a sort of Romeo/Juliette, that she is dead and he know that when he dies she'll be there (the hereafter)? I can't remember if "Moody River" and "Tell Laura I Love Her" had the same narrative arc, but there were a few from the 50's and 60's that were weirdly suicide-themed. Again, I might be interpreting it incorrectly. Any thoughts?
melotone 1 year ago
@melotone
and "Patches"
fhardyb 1 year ago
Am I the only one who interprets the end of this song as a sort of Romeo/Juliette, that she is dead and he know that when he dies she'll be there (the hereafter)? I can't remember if "Moody River" had the same narrative arc, but there were a few from the 50's and 60's that were weirdly suicide-themed. Again, I might be interpreting it incorrectly. Any thoughts?
melotone 1 year ago
It is a real crying shame that so many black artists of that era have very, very little film footage of them performing LIVE, in studio, or stage. Their fame often predated the television networks willingness to show blacks, of any sort at all. And lo, so very many of them could not sustain their careers or lives into the late 60's or 70's when more opportunities arose. Like I said, a crying shame.
melotone 1 year ago
Great tune and a wicked piece of film.
brian4858 1 year ago
One of the great voices of the fifties - check out "the Treasure of Love".
salmon1941 1 year ago
was this tune in the movie la bamba?
drafe007 1 year ago
WOW! I never heard that one by Clyde. Man,what a voice!!
mbsunlimited 1 year ago
Thank you, great post.
wblk 1 year ago
Yes, the drinking hurt Clyde, but as with many Black artists of the era, racism and discrimination hurt his career also. You may read up on Clyde in a book called, "Dream Boogie, the story of Sam Cooke". Sam and Clyde were best friends and both were active against racism and discrimination.
torrencebrannon 1 year ago 2
Have Mercy Baby. There is no other Clyde McPhatter. I heard him after reading about his music in the 90s. I bought him with the Dominoes & Drifters. It was long before my time, but I have loved his voice since.
incredazee 1 year ago
This man, in addition, to Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, had the most unique tenor voices I've ever heard in my life. Thank you for the post.
tlover1062 1 year ago
thanks for this! im 65 now lol
vipergurn 2 years ago
Thanks for posting, Clyde also does "Rock & Cry" in the same movie. It's worth searching for. The true king of R&B, they'll never be another singer to match Clyde McPhatter.
rb0405 2 years ago
shame he didnt make it like the others. Demon drink did him in in the UK. Check out his greatest record....Without love..a real jem.
kiwihans 2 years ago 7
@kiwihans Actually,he did make it. Sure,he didn't go as far as his talent should have taken him,but Clyde had many hits and was one of the biggest names in r&b. Think of the thousands of talented singers who have never made it in the music business. I think overall,Clyde was a success.
mbsunlimited 1 year ago
terrific..one of the wonderful voices of the
era...just beautiful.
stringbass 2 years ago 5
Absolutely Fantastic !!!!!!!
threepasco 2 years ago 2
Great Song ,love his songs.thanks for posting.
Kukumamma 2 years ago 2