The Drifters

The Drifters are an American vocal group formed in New York City in 1953, originally assembled by manager George Treadwell around lead singer Clyde McPhatter after he left Billy Ward and His Dominoes. Signed to Atlantic Records, the group became one of the defining acts of early rhythm and blues, with a rotating lineup that over the decades included Ben E. King, Rudy Lewis, and Johnny Moore among many others. Because Treadwell owned the group's name, members changed frequently while «The Drifters» brand continued, giving the act an unusually long and varied recording history.

The group's sound moved from doo-wop and gospel-inflected R&B in the 1950s toward the lush, string-laden «uptown soul» productions crafted with songwriters and producers such as Leiber and Stoller, Burt Bacharach, and Carole King and Gerry Goffin. This shift produced some of the most enduring singles of the era, including «There Goes My Baby», «Save the Last Dance for Me», «Up on the Roof», and «On Broadway», songs that blended pop songcraft with orchestral R&B arrangements and helped define the sound of early 1960s soul music.

Beyond their chart success, The Drifters left a lasting mark on popular music through the sheer craftsmanship of their catalog and their influence on later soul and pop vocal groups. «Under the Boardwalk» and «This Magic Moment» remain staples of American oldies radio, while «White Christmas» is one of the most covered R&B holiday recordings. Their body of work is frequently cited as a bridge between 1950s doo-wop and the more sophisticated soul productions that followed.