Much is spoken on the Drifters in various circles relating
to who is or was a Drifter, the music etc. Depending on
who's telling the story or reporting all the mis-
information, you hear such comments as The current lineup of
Drifters under the Treadwell PMG management are phonies and
imposter's. The former Bell / Arista group were know more
than a Disco outfit. Many of these comments come from so
called critics in the industry, period fans, former Drifter
members and I mean former cause if you are not currently
working under the trademark license you are former. I've
even read where someone posted on youtube that Charlie
Thomas has warrants out for the Treadwell impostor group as
if he is the only legitimate Drifter that has come along
over the years that has the right to be called a Drifter.
Give us a break with such nonsense! the Drifters is a brand
and has been that way since it's offset. With 60 or more
members Drifting in and out, it truly lives up to it's name
Drifters. Yes some more significant than others. The brand
can truly only be categorized through it's golden age
periods and there are three. The Clyde McPhatter era, The
Ben E. King era and The Bell / Arista era headed by Johnny
Moore and The fact is Johnny Moore sang with the group in
all those eras and on more songs and hits than anyone. After
the Atlantic era the group was dead so to speak and was
resurrected in the 70's with the producer and song writer
Roger Greenway. It was the Greenway team along with the
signing to Bell Records headed by It's president Dick Leahy
which helped bring the group back in to vogue during the
70's with a string of hits throughout that period. So it was
the Johnny Moore group of the 70's along with Bill
Fredricks, Grant Kitchings and yours truly Butch Leake that
brought the brand from the grave in the early 70's era.
That is a fact which you can try and deny but the data is
there to prove it. Though the Atlantic period of songs were
great and I will be the first to acknowledge they were some
of my favorites. The Bell Record era had it's songs which
were conducive for it's time.
Above some negative YouTube post...
