Clyde McPhatter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Clyde McPhatter
McPhatter in 1959
Background information
Birth name	Clyde Lensley McPhatter
Born	(1932-11-15)November 15, 1932 Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
Died	June 13, 1972(1972-06-13) (aged 39) The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Genres	Rock and roll rhythm and blues soul pop
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1950–1972
Associated acts	The Mount Lebanon Singers, Billy Ward and his Dominoes, The Drifters

Clyde Lensley McPhatter (born November 15, 1932 – died June 13, 1972) was a famous American singer. He sang rhythm and blues, soul, and rock and roll music. Many singers in the 1950s and early 1960s tried to sing like him. He was very important in creating the sound of doo-wop and R&B music.

Clyde had a high singing voice, called a tenor. He learned to sing in church, performing gospel music. As a teenager, he started his own gospel group, the Mount Lebanon Singers. Later, he became the main singer for Billy Ward and his Dominoes, helping them become very popular. After that, McPhatter formed his own group, the Drifters. He also had a successful career as a solo artist.

Clyde McPhatter left behind many recordings from his 22 years in music. He was the first artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. First, he was honored as a solo artist. Then, he was inducted again as a member of the Drifters. Other artists who have been inducted multiple times are said to be part of the "Clyde McPhatter Club."

Life and Music Career

Clyde's Early Life

Clyde McPhatter was born in Hayti, a community in Durham, North Carolina. His birthday was November 15, 1932. He grew up in a Baptist family. His father, Rev. George McPhatter, was a minister. Clyde started singing in his father's church gospel choir at age five. He sang with his three brothers and three sisters. By the time he was 10, Clyde was the main singer for the choir.

In 1945, Clyde's family moved to Teaneck, New Jersey. He went to Chelsior High School there. He also worked part-time at a grocery store. After high school, he became a shift manager at the store. Later, his family moved to New York City. In New York, Clyde started his gospel group, the Mount Lebanon Singers.

Singing with Billy Ward and the Dominoes (1950–1953)

In 1950, Clyde won a talent show called Amateur Night at Harlem's famous Apollo Theater. After winning, he went back to his grocery store job. But soon, he was asked to join Billy Ward and his Dominoes. He recorded their hit song "Sixty Minute Man" with them. This song was produced by Ralph Bass for Federal Records.

Billy Ward and his Dominoes became one of the best R&B vocal groups. They were even more popular than groups like the Clovers and the Ravens. This was mostly because of Clyde McPhatter's strong, high singing voice. Many singers, like Ben E. King and Smokey Robinson, tried to copy Clyde's style. He brought a church-like singing style to popular music. This created a new sound that changed music forever.

Clyde recorded more songs with the Dominoes. These included "Have Mercy Baby" and "The Bells". He left the group on May 7, 1953. Sometimes, people thought Billy Ward was the lead singer. Clyde also didn't earn much money with the Dominoes. He was paid $100 a week, but much of it went to expenses. He once told a journalist that he often couldn't even afford a soda.

Because of these issues, Clyde decided to leave the Dominoes. He wanted to become famous on his own. Billy Ward agreed, but asked Clyde to train his replacement. They held auditions, and a young singer named Jackie Wilson took over. Jackie Wilson learned a lot from watching and listening to Clyde. Even though they sometimes argued, Clyde always thanked Billy Ward for giving him his start in music.

Forming The Drifters (1953–1954)

Ahmet Ertegun, who started Atlantic Records, and Jerry Wexler were very interested in Clyde McPhatter. They noticed he wasn't with the Dominoes during a performance. After finding him, Atlantic Records signed Clyde. The deal was that he had to form his own music group.

Clyde quickly put together a group and named them the Drifters. They recorded a few songs in June 1953, including "Lucille." But this first group of Drifters didn't have the sound Atlantic Records wanted. So, Clyde had to find new singers. Many of the first Drifters were from his old gospel group, the Mount Lebanon Singers.

The new group of Drifters recorded many hit songs. These included "Money Honey," "Such a Night", "Honey Love", and "White Christmas". At first, their records said "Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters." Later, it changed to "The Drifters featuring Clyde McPhatter."

In late 1954, Clyde joined the U.S. Army. He was assigned to a special service that allowed him to keep recording music. After his time in the Army, he left the Drifters to start his solo career. The Drifters continued to be successful, but with many different singers. The group Clyde first put together was no longer there when they had their biggest hits. When he left, Clyde made a decision he later regretted. He sold his share of the group to their manager, George Treadwell. This meant his fellow musicians didn't earn much money. The group became known for constantly changing members.

Clyde's Solo Career

After leaving the Army, Clyde McPhatter recorded his first solo hit. It was called "Love Has Joined Us Together" and he sang it with Ruth Brown. Over the next few years, he released many R&B songs. Some of these were "Seven Days" and "Treasure of Love". His biggest solo hit was "A Lover's Question" in 1958. This song reached number six on the music charts.

His 1956 song "Treasure of Love" was his first number-one hit on the R&B charts as a solo artist. It also spent a week on the UK Singles Chart. The song sold over two million copies in the United States. It was given a gold disc award.

After leaving Atlantic Records, Clyde signed with MGM Records. He released more songs like "I Told Myself a Lie." Then he moved to Mercury Records and released "Ta Ta." His time with these labels was not as successful as with Atlantic. He continued to record singles, including "I Never Knew." His last top-10 hit was "Lover Please" in 1962. This song reached number seven. After "Lover Please," Clyde's career slowed down. Music styles were changing a lot in the 1960s. He had one more top 30 R&B hit, "Crying Won't Help You Now," in 1964.

In 1968, McPhatter moved to England. He still had many fans there. He performed with a British band called ICE as his backup.

Later Life and Passing

Clyde McPhatter returned to the U.S. in 1970. He made a few appearances at rock-and-roll revival concerts. But he mostly lived a quiet life. He had hoped to make a big comeback with a new album. However, he passed away on June 13, 1972, at age 39. He died in his sleep due to health problems.

Clyde McPhatter lived in Teaneck, New Jersey, when he passed away. He was buried at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey. At the time of his death, Clyde McPhatter had a daughter, Deborah L. McPhatter, born in April 1953.

Later, singer Ruth Brown shared that Clyde was the father of her son, Ronald, born in 1954. Ron now tours with his own group, named after his father, called Clyde McPhatter's Drifters.

In 2019, The New York Times Magazine reported that some of Clyde McPhatter's original recordings might have been lost. This was due to a fire at Universal Studios in 2008.

Legacy and Honors

• In 1987, McPhatter was honored after his death. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• The Rockabilly Hall of Fame also recognized his important work in music.
• The Original Drifters group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
• The United States Postal Service released a stamp in McPhatter's honor in 1993.
• The song "Money Honey" (1953) was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
• McPhatter was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
• In October 2020, an exhibit about Clyde McPhatter opened. It is at the North Carolina Museum of History. The exhibit is called "The Beach Music Exhibit." It includes interviews and items from his daughter Deborah. She is also the board chair of the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.

Singles

See also

In Spanish: Clyde McPhatter para niños