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)

THE DRIFTERS FEATURING THE DRIFTERS LEGENDS

THE DRIFTERS FEATURING DRIFTERS LEGENDS

It's official the show of the year.... The Drifters featuring Drifters
Legends are to performs at London UK Indigo 02 Arena Sunday
June 28th 09.

The show will feature Legendary members from the Golden Periods
of the Drifter Legacy...Bobby Hendricks/Atlantic Era, Butch Leake, Joe Blunt/
Bell-Arista Era and Wolf Johnson..

London ticket sale start this Friday....

For more info go to www.theofficialdrifters.com or click on the head
title above.....

(CORNER TALK REPORT)

BUTCH LEAKE ON THE ROAD

Well 2008 was a world wind year traveling to Europe and around the Americas.
It was great to be back on stage in the UK before the fans I know so well and
reliving some of the nostalgia from the days with the Drifters....

It was a special honor working with the new lineup of drifters for this day an time.

Looking forward to 2009, as we are working on some new an surprise projects
surrounding the Legendary Group an name.

The British fans are a special breed of people who are some of the most supportive
people on the planet and I hold them close to my heart....

This year we have reached out to former legends of the group to work on some
new development Ideas to move into the future which will feature the Drifters
Legends with the Drifters on a show at the Indigo 02 Arena in London Sunday the 28th
2009.

To compliment this show Atlantic will release a compilation album featuring
songs from 50s, 60s, 70s and some new song for 2009.

Also on the cards is a possible world tour with both groups.

PMG entertainment UK has been instrumental in re-branding the name and bringing it back to it's former glory...

I for one am happy to be back on board with an entity that I have put much of my life into.....

For many of the fans out there as you know there has been much controversy
around the group an who's really who..
Know this that if you see a group and it has not been commissioned by Treadwell
it is not a legitimate act....

This is not to say that former legends of the Drifters are not legit, it's just that
if they are working as The Drifters and are not covered by license they are
infringing someones owned property.

Also beware of those who claim to had been legitimate Drifter lineup members..

Over on youtube you will see many Drifter videos with lineups claiming
to be the legitimate article. Do your research... The official site for the Drifters
is at www.theofficialdrifters.com

Currently PMG entertainment control the worldwide licensing of the Drifters
name and Treadwell are the rightful owners of the Drifters service mark....

(CORNER TALK REPORT)

WHO'S WHO WITH THE DRIFTERS

The Legendary Atlantic Bell/Arista group is currently in it's 55th year as an
entity. A dynasty which started in early 1953 an has endured these many years
as one of the most unusual music stories in the history of musical entertainment.

Spawned by the vision of George Treadwell an Ahmet Ertegun and the 1953
original lineup of Clyde McPhatter, Bill Pickney, Andrew (Bubba) and Gerhart Thrasher.

The Drifters have had over 60 or more members who have grace it's lineup
over the past 55 years. Some more significant than others, those that made it
to records, books, television an other media and those who never saw the light
of day pass one show or so.

The Drifters an it's organization have had three golden periods and 5 significant
lineups throughout it's history.

Currently there are a handful of Original members respective of the eras they
came in who are still around.

Bobby Hendricks, Johnny Terry, Ben E King, Charlie Thomas, Rick Sheppard
Butch Leake, Clyde Brown, Joe Blunt and Billy Lewis.

These men are some of the Legends that are still with us....

In the UK a new group which you can say will bring in with success, the forth
golden period under the Treadwell family name who owns the service mark,
are performing to sell out audiences and are set to release some new songs
for this period....

It was during the early 70s that Faye Treadwell the Widow of the Legendary
George Treadwell brought then the line up of Johnny Moore, Butch Leake, Bill
Fredricks and Grant Kitchings to the UK and signed with the Bell/Arista label.

That signing spawned the Hits "Kissin in the Backrow of the Movies, "There
Goes My First Love" "Love Games" "Like Sister And Brother" Which topped
the British and European charts throughout the 70s.

After 1974, there were to be replacements for the original Bell group with
Clyde Brown replacing Bill Fredricks and Billy Lewis replacing Grant Kitchings.

At the end of 1975, Butch Leake is replaced by Joe blunt.

It was the linup of Johnny Moore, Clyde brown, Joe Blunt and Billy Lewis
that are noted for "More Than A Number In My Little Red Book"

After this period a number of replacement were in an out up through the 90s
with Johnny at one period attempting a new solo career which was short lived.

Both Bill Fredricks an Butch Leake went on to solo careers in the UK and Europe.

Grant Kitchings returned to the United States an joined the Legendary Ink Spots.

After a number of legal battles in the USA & UK. The Drifters LLC is owned by the original Treadwell family Headed By Tina Treadwell the daughter of Faye and George Treadwell.

The World wide Licensing right is controled by PMG Music & Entertainment UK.

For more information go to www.theofficialdrifters.com or click on the title above
who's who with The Drifters.........

Butch Leake.........

(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)

THE GOLDEN YEARS (The Drifters1953/1975

For Drifter fans worldwide it must be frustrating with all the confusing arguments on
ownership of names an who has a right to be called a drifter. The remaining fact is
the groups legacy is one of historical value for future generations to come.....
I for one grew up as a fan an lover of Drifter music an was very fortunate to have been
able perform with the legendary organization. As an insider I can say my love for all
the players in this saga of American music history is profoundly sincere. The principal
players that particularly of the artist that truly made the legend what it is today are
the benefactors as that of the public who loved an supported the music over the
Golden periods of the groups history. For some Clyde Mcphatter, Johnny Moore,
Ben E King, Rudy Lewis, Bill Pickney and Charlie Thomas symbolized what the
group was all about, yet all came in different eras of the history of it's music. As of
myself along with Johnny Moore, Bill Fredricks and Grant Kitchings who symbolized
the third Golden period under the guidance of the Treadwell Family who have been
significant custodians of this tradition in the many years of it's existence. Now not
being particularly fond of the inside issues that surrounded the running of this
organization and we all had our issues an ego problems unto today. Its non the less
important for the fans to understand know matter what part of the Golden years you
embrace an there are three that are significant at this day in time, each period supported
an perpetuated the on going life and the history for decades to come.

Currently at this moment the Drifters name is being re-branded for future generations
as the name has somewhat been tarnished by the spawning of hybrid groups here an
abroad. Leading this effort is PMG (Prism Music Group) out of London.

For more information on this effort go to www.theofficialdrifters.com

(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)