R&B Vocalist. He was the lead singer of The Drifters from the late 1960's until 1964, occasionally sharing that position with Johnny Moore. He was featured on such songs as "Some Kind of Wonderful," "Please Stay," "On Broadway," and "Up on the Roof," as well as B-sides and outtakes such as "She Never Talked to Me That Way," "Stranger on the Shore," "Somebody New Dancing with You," and "Mexican Divorce." Unfortunately, he came in after Ben E. King, however, to come in after Ben E. King and redefine the group's sound, he never got the recognition that King did, despite the fact that he ended up singing most of King's repertory in concert. He had started out in gospel music and had sung with the Clara Ward Singers until immediately prior to the day, late in 1960, when he auditioned for the Drifters' at Philadelphia's Uptown Theater. At the time, the group had been reduced to a trio with Charlie Thomas taking the lead role; he was hired on the spot. His tenure with the group ended tragically, he was found dead in his bed; some say the cause was a drug overdose, others who knew him say he was a binge eater and choked to death in his sleep.
R&B Vocalist. He was the lead singer of The Drifters from the late 1960's until 1964, occasionally sharing that position with Johnny Moore. He was featured on such songs as "Some Kind of Wonderful," "Please Stay," "On Broadway," and "Up on the Roof," as well as B-sides and outtakes such as "She Never Talked to Me That Way," "Stranger on the Shore," "Somebody New Dancing with You," and "Mexican Divorce." Unfortunately, he came in after Ben E. King, however, to come in after Ben E. King and redefine the group's sound, he never got the recognition that King did, despite the fact that he ended up singing most of King's repertory in concert. He had started out in gospel music and had sung with the Clara Ward Singers until immediately prior to the day, late in 1960, when he auditioned for the Drifters' at Philadelphia's Uptown Theater. At the time, the group had been reduced to a trio with Charlie Thomas taking the lead role; he was hired on the spot. His tenure with the group ended tragically, he was found dead in his bed; some say the cause was a drug overdose, others who knew him say he was a binge eater and choked to death in his sleep.
Bio by: Babe
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