DRIFTERS THE LEGACY CONTINUES

Butch Leake & the Drifters
The Drifters "Glasgow Scotland" 2009

The Drifters as you know are in their 6th decade with an incredible record
of 200 thousand singles and 100 thousand albums sold to date....

The history of this legendary group and organization has been a product
of much mis-understanding filled with facts and laced with myth.

To the mom and pops of the early 50s the Drifters came and went with
the group headed by the late crooner Clyde McPhatter along with Bill
Pickney and the Thrasher brothers....

Yet with the success of those years this was not the lineup which was
responsible for many of the memorable hit songs that we are accustomed
to associating with the Drifters.

In looking at the act on the surface you might say there were five significant
groups from 1953 through the mid 1970 which were responsible for
most of the known hit songs on both sides of the Atlantic...

In all of that there were more than 60 singers that have come through
the lineups ranks.

The single most mainstay individual being Johnny Moore who passed away
in 1998.

The other mainstay the Treadwell family who have held the rights to Drifter
trademark since the early 50s.

Much of the formula which was the mainstay of the group was situated in
the lead singers in the early years Mcphatter, Moore, Lewis, and King. and to
complimented and lock in the sound Pickney, the Thrasher Brothers, Terry, Thomas,
Piersen, Green, Hobbs, Fredricks, Sheppard, Leake, Kitchings, Brown and Blunt..

For the most part the magic which you might say that made the act what it was to
become was in the impromptu style that could only be understood by those who were
close to it's inner workings.

Non like other acts who had a manufactured polished approach to there performances.

The Drifters for the most part was very improvised and free in it's style..

Known much for it's simple choreography but flair in individual dancers like Butch Leake
and Rick Sheppard who top the act in dance moves during the latter 60s and early 70s.

It was in this improvised approached that the group became so notorious in it's smooth
and high energy on stage.

Today we are in a new era with the Drifters for a new and younger generation and also
for the older generation 35 and up we have the Drifters Legends.

Both groups under the direction of PMG (Prism Music Group UK) continue in the
tradition of the 56 year year history of the organization owned by the Treadwell
family.....

For more information on both The Drifters and The Drifters Legends log into
http://www.prismmusicgroup.com or http://theofficialdrifters.com

(CORNER TALK REPORT)

DRIFTERS LEGENDS REUNION

From left to right- Rick Sheppard/Joe Blunt/Butch Leake

June 14 2010 Drifters Legends Rick Sheppard, Joe Blunt and Butch Leake
came together for a reunion at the New Yorker Hotel in downtown Manhattan.

For those who are unfamiliar with The Drifters history these three men
are the link between two of the Golden periods of the Drifters history...

It was in 1972 that the Drifters then under the management of Drifters
incorporated left the original home Atlantic records and signed with UK
Record company Bell/Arista.

It was in early 1970 that Butch Leake replaced Rick Sheppard who was featured in
the 60s lineup to bring in the next golden period of the group.

Christmas 1975 Butch Leake leaves the group to embark on a solo career and
in steps Joe Blunt to carry on the Bell/Arista years.....

Recently in 2009 both Butch and Joe received Life Time Achievement Awards
from Sony Music for there contribution to the Bell/Arista Label during the 70s.

(CORNER TALK REPORT)

THE LEGACY OF THE 70s

Soon to be posted, a new website "The Legacy Of The 70s" dedicated to the history of
the Original Bell Recording Group The Drifters authored by Butch Leake soul surviving
member of the original lineup. The group pass, present and future has been an on going
story with much controversy, yet one of the most interesting subjects in the history
of musical entertainment. The current lineup under the guidance of PMG entertainment
England is the latest in official Drifter lineups spawned by the Treadwell music family, the
owner of the service and trade name. Why the Legacy Of The 70s? The 70s was a pivotal
point in the revival of the act which went into decline towards the end of the 60s. It was
in the early 70s, which happened to be the third golden era that management signed with
the Bell Arista group which produce a series of hit songs which topped the British an
European music charts during this period. Drifter fans world wide huddle on social sites
on the internet and discuss stories about there favorite Drifter lineup. The attempt here
is just to create a down to earth link to authentic Drifter Histology, hosting interviews,
comments and data on this great music dynasty.

(CORNER TALK REPORT)

SPOTLIGHT ON THE 70s/Interview with Butch Leake

Why the 70s? In my opinion was one of the great periods for music which
inspired the heart an soul. The songs that were written had great substance non
like to days music which consist of beats with no solid story line...

They are not producing any great songwriters like yesteryear. We were very fortunate
back then to have songwriters like Roger Greenway who in my opinion is one of the
best writers who came out of the period...

God only knows where the Drifters would have been if it wasn't for the Greenway
writing team. Greenway was a big fan of the Drifters. So a marriage was made in heaven
teaming up with Greenway Productions......

You might say I personally became a Greenway fan as far as the songs go....
So this is why I chose to cover some of those great songs which the group recorded.

You might ask do I have issues about the politics of that time, the answer to that is yes,
but I will stop short of being bitter. Those matters will be addressed most likely in time.

At this time life moves on, an yes I'm in control and prepared to deal with what ever
challenges come my way. So all of those out there who have any negative plans read
this line again......

Will you be returning to great Britain? Most definitely, England is like home to me
I lived there for many years. My former wife is buried there, an if for only that reason
I will visit.

I will be going there to lay the ground work for returning to the stage after completing
entertaining matters here in the US.

What of the the new Treadwell Drifter group over there now. Well! They do what they
do I do what i have to do.... Remember I am the only original member out of the Bell
Record group who is alive. Know one can erase that fact.

The rest of the members were replacements.........

In any respect I'm not trying to be the Drifters or a tribute act. The reality once a
Drifter the stigma is forever attached to you........ (CORNER TALK REPORT)

THE BELL SONGS/LEGACY OF THE 70s

For the many USA fans of The Drifters now is a good chance to
checkout an purchase the hit songs of the 70s featuring the Original
Bell Record group headed by the late Johnny Moore an featuring
Butch Leake, Bill Fredricks and Grant Kitchings.

All these timeless songs were written and produced by the the
legendary UK writer Roger Greenway / Roger Cook / Billy Davis
and Tony MaCauley.

There are also tracks written by Neil Diamond / Burt Bacharach & Hal David /
Pomus & shuman / Paul McCartney and Stephens.

The CD "The Drifters Now & Love Games feature both albums from the
early 70s with an insert booklet with history and pictures of the group.....

A must buy for Drifter buffs at Virgin Record Stores........ (CORNER TALK REPORT)

BUTCH LEAKE/THE LEGACY OF THE 70s

The Legacy of the 70s featurings the songs of Roger Greenway, Barry
Mason & Tony MaCauley. Soon to be repackaged under the banner of
Butch Leake, formally of the Bell Record Recording group The Drifters
which topped the British music charts during the 70s.

Butch is currently in the studio rehearsing a new musical extravaganza
featuring the songs of the period.

A CD is also in the works to be release to coincide with
the show.

Butch as you know is the only surviving member out of the
original transatlantic group which featured the late great Johnny Moore,
Grant Kitchings and Bill Fredricks. The show will also be designated
as a tribute to the late singers he worked with over those years.

Watch for schedules an forth coming dates and releases to be posted
here at Corner Talk Report. Send enquire's to butchleake@mac.com/

ENTERTAINMENT CO. BLINKS

The word has been unofficially circulating that the Drifters UK limited
has blinked in its on going battle with Treadwells Original Drifters LLC
over a Trademark dispute between the two parties.

Treadwell had filed a suit In the British High Court against The Drifters UK limited for Trademark infringement seeking to stop the use of the
name The Drifters, a group performing as The drifters and a website
used for it's promotion. The hearing were to take place sometime in march of 2008. Treadwell has argued the legal ownership of The Drifters
Trademark since the early 50s. (CORNER TALK REPORT)

CLASSIC PHOTOs THE 70s CONT.......

Here we have more classic photo's from the 70s featuring the original
Bell Recording group The Drifter's. In late 1974, Bill Fredrick's resigns to pursue
a solo career. He is to be replaced by Clyde Brown who's vocals are on the
THERE GO'S MY FIRST LOVE ALBUM an later to be featured on lead with
Johnny Moore on the titled track:
YOUR MORE THAN A NUMBER IN MY LITTLE RED BOOK....... Shortly after Grant Kitching's departs and is replaced by Billy Lewis........

INTERVIEW WITH BUTCH LEAKE

Hello Butch, Hi there....
What is happening on the on going saga with The Drifter's.
There is a current battle posturing for march this year in The British High Court
over the Trademark rights between Treadwell Drifter's and The Drifter's UK Ltd.
It seems that The Drifter's UK Ltd., who for a period of time was Treadwell UK
representative sort the rights to ownership of the mark after the original management
left the country. For me it's another sad chapter to the on going Drifter story that
shouldn't be happening. It's a replay of the same madness that took place in the
United States with other pirates who sort ownership of the lucrative mark.....
and the cloning of the many would be Drifter groups into the market place that
never were with the official Drifter family. Let me clarify what I'm saying here....
Many argue the pros an cons of what group was original and who were the
imposter's. We can never deny the first incarnation with Clyde Mcphatter,
Bill Pickney, and the Thrasher brothers. But The Drifter's hit records came over
many years with other members involved and so there were five to six groups
over that period of time who were significant as far as records, film, television
books etc. The seventies group came on the heels of the Atlantic Record era at
a time when the group had faded out of the limelight as an old oldies but goody
group.
Butch... how long were you with the Bell Record group?
Contrary to what has been distorted in the so called family tree listing you
find on the contesting websites and books published. I joined The Drifter's in
early 1970, replacing then Rick Sheppard and i resigned on Christmas of 1975.
I am the last member of that transatlantic group that is alive. One interesting
factor I'm a member who has never sort to form a New Drifter's group and has
always believed if ones own name is cultivated right it would carry on in the Drifter's
tradition......For one thing i realized long ago once a Drifter always a Drifter in
one way or the other as my name and likeness continues to be promoted through
the media. In that i will always be a significant player in the groups history no matter
who tries to play that down......I'm here to stay and they better know that.
Now on the trademark issue I would hope The British High Court would take
the high road an not award the mark to anyone but take into consideration the artist
who contributed to the name.....it is they who would be the big looser along with
the many fans who have supported the act and it's members over the years.
Treadwell in any respect has the distinction of controlling the revenue that has
come in for Drifter music over the years through it's companies Drifter's Inc. and
Treadwell Original Drifter's LLC.
Butch....Do you have any new career moves in the wings?
Yes I do... I'm currently researching for new material this year for a new CD an concept
for music video. Also i will be looking for a good production staff to work along
with my company and rehearsing a new show.........
Butch keep us informed on your moves this year, we will be looking forward to
hearing from you soon. (CORNER TALK)

THE CLASSIC PHOTOS OF THE 70s

The Drifter's were one of the most photographed groups through out the 70s.
Here we present some of the many classic photographs from the period for our loyal fans........
This is also a picture portal for the new fans who never saw the original lineup as they were during the 70s era.....