Songs of the Day-Money Honey and White Christmas

The Drifters were two groups using one name. The first Drifters with Clyde McPhatter as lead vocalist lasted from about 1952 to 1958. They are the ones who sang the very popular RnB version of "White Christmas" included here. Managed by an impresario named George Treadwell who canned the entire group after he got tired of them basically standing up for themselves and asking for better pay and better working conditions. He also considered the first group a bunch of alcoholics and reprobates so he replaced them. McPhatter had long since left by this time for a successful solo career ("Lover Please" "A Lover's Question). Treadwell got hold of a group called "The Five Crowns" hired four of them (all but the drinker) and elevated them to Drifter status. The lead singer of that group, every bit the match for McPhatter in terms of talent and charisma, was Ben E. King. Their catalog, being recorded mostly in the 60's is probably more familiar to listeners. But the songs here are by the first group. Both versions of the Drifters are in the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame with the first group under the "Drifters" name and the second under "Ben E. King and the Drifters." Here is "Money Honey" and "White Christmas" by the original Drifters.