The Drifters › Similar Artists

Matt Molloy - 100% match to The Drifters

Ben E. King - 92% match to The Drifters

Benjamin Earl Nelson, 28 September 1938, Henderson, North Carolina, USA. King began his career while still a high-school student singing in a doo-wop group, the Four B’s. He later joined the Five Crowns who, in 1959, assumed the name the Drifters. King was the featured lead vocalist and occasional composer on several of their recordings including ‘There Goes My Bab Read more

Clyde McPhatter - 74% match to The Drifters

Clyde Lensley McPhatter, 15 November 1932, Durham, North Carolina, USA, d. 13 June 1972, New York City, New York, USA. For three years, McPhatter was the lead singer in the seminal R&B vocal group Billy Ward And His Dominoes. He left in 1953 to form the Drifters, whose early releases were enhanced by the singer’s emotional, gospel-drenched delivery. In 1954 McPhatte Read more

The Clovers - 65% match to The Drifters

This US R&B vocal ensemble formed in Washington, DC, in 1946, and built a career recording smooth ballads and bluesy jumps for New York independent Atlantic Records, in the process becoming one of the most popular vocal groups of the 50s. By the time the group first recorded for Rainbow Records in early 1950, the Clovers comprised John ‘Buddy’ Bailey (1930, Was Read more

The Crests - 65% match to The Drifters

Formed in New York City, USA, in 1956, the Crests soon became one of the most successful of the ‘integrated’ doo-wop groups of the period, after being discovered by Al Browne. Headed by the lead tenor of Johnny Mastro (Johnny Mastrangelo, 7 May 1930, USA), the rest of the band comprised Harold Torres, Talmadge Gough, J.T. Carter and Patricia Van Dross. By 1957 they Read more

The Platters - 62% match to The Drifters

One of the leading R&B vocal groups of the 50s, they were the first black group to be accepted as a major chart act and, for a short time, were the most successful vocal group in the world. The Platters were formed in Los Angeles in 1953 by entrepreneur/songwriter Buck Ram (21 November 1907, Chicago, Illinois, USA, d. 1 January 1991). Through his ownership of the Platter Read more

The Coasters - 60% match to The Drifters

The illustrious career of the Coasters, the pre-eminent vocal group of the early rock ‘n’ roll era, was built on a remarkable body of cleverly comic R&B songs for Atco Records fashioned by their producers, Leiber And Stoller. Under their direction, the Coasters exchanged the crooning of ballads favoured by most groups of the era for robust and full-throated R& Read more

The Flamingos - 60% match to The Drifters

This R&B vocal group, formed in Chicago, Illinois, USA, in 1951, was renowned for producing the tightest and most gorgeous harmonies of the rock ‘n’ roll era. For much of their history they consisted of Zeke Carey (24 January 1933, Bluefield, Virginia, USA), Jake Carey (b. 9 September 1926, Pulaski, Virginia, USA), Paul Wilson (b. 6 January 1935, Chicago, Illin Read more

The Five Satins - 59% match to The Drifters

This R&B vocal group was formed in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, in 1955. The Five Satins’ first hit, ‘In The Still Of The Nite’ (US R&B number 3 and pop Top 30 in 1956), was one of the definitive songs of the early rock ‘n’ roll era, with its strong chanting of doo-wop riffs in the background and impassioned lead work. The group on this record c Read more

The Penguins - 58% match to The Drifters

Formed in 1954 in Fremont High School, Los Angeles, California, USA, the Penguins were one of the most important R&B vocal groups from the west coast in the early 50s. Their hit ballad ‘Earth Angel’ remains one of the most fondly recalled ‘doo-wop’ recordings. The group comprised lead vocalist Cleveland ‘Cleve’ Duncan (23 July 1935, Los Ange Read more

Little Anthony & The Imperials - 57% match to The Drifters

Formed in Brooklyn, New York, USA, in 1957, and originally called the Chesters, the group comprised ‘Little’ Anthony Gourdine (8 January 1940, Brooklyn, New York, USA), Ernest Wright Jnr. (b. 24 August 1941, Brooklyn, New York, USA), Clarence Collins (b. 17 March 1941, Brooklyn, New York, USA), Tracy Lord and Glouster Rogers (b. 1940). A vital link between doo-wop Read more

Freddie & The Dreamers - 55% match to The Drifters

This Manchester, England-based 60s beat outfit, comprising Freddie Garrity (14 November 1936 (1940 is also cited), Manchester, Lancashire, England, d. 19 May 2006, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, Wales; vocals), Roy Crewsdon (b. 29 May 1941; guitar), Derek Quinn (b. 24 May 1942; guitar), Pete Birrell (b. 9 May 1941; bass) and Bernie Dwyer (b. 11 September 1940, Manchester, Lancashir Read more

Chuck Willis - 54% match to The Drifters

The Shirelles - 50% match to The Drifters

Formed in Passaic, New Jersey, USA, the Shirelles are possibly the archetypal ‘girl-group’; Shirley Owens (10 June 1941, Passaic, New Jesey, USA), Beverly Lee (b. 3 August 1941), Doris Kenner (b. Doris Coley, 2 August 1941, North Carolina, USA, d. 5 February 2000, Sacramento, California, USA) and Addie ‘Micki’ Harris (b. 22 January 1940, d. 10 June 1982) Read more

The Spaniels - 49% match to The Drifters

This vocal ensemble was formed in 1952 in Gary, Indiana, USA. Universally recognized as one of the great R&B vocal harmony groups of the 50s, the Spaniels’ magnificent body of work was not truly reflected in their moderate chart success. The group originally comprised Roosevelt High students James ‘Pookie’ Hudson (Thornton James Hudson, 11 June 1934, Des M Read more