The Hour

News and Gossip

Drifters brand going strong half a decade on

03 November 2009, 13:48

Watch a fantastic exclusive STV performance from The Drifters.

The Drifters are still entertaining audiences with their unique soulful sound over half a century after being formed despite playing host to over 60 performers including Ben E King, Johny Moore and many more over this time.

The only constant to remain among the drifting band members, is the management. Now owned by the Treadwell family, the foundations of this group began when jazz singer George Treadwell decided to take on the project back in 1953.

The 2009 line-up, Maurice Cannon, Steve King, Damion Charles and Michael Williams, were all chosen for their likeness to former members.

Tina Treadwell, the daughter of George and Faye Treadwell, chose Damion Charles, the latest addition to The Drifters not only for his likeness in looks and sounds to Rudy Lewis but also for the Gospel influence he brought.

“I was actually found singing in church and Tina happened to come along and then asked me to come for an audition,” Damion said. I went for the audition and got a phone call a couple of weeks later saying yes. It was unbelievable.”

Despite having sold in excess of 214 million singles and 114 million albums across the world and holding the crown for one of the longest serving bands in history, the current Drifter band members still love the constant touring that such a life brings.

“We had a show at the O2 in June this year and we invited some of the guys from the 70’s to come back,” band member Michael Williams said. “They did a gig with us and it was an amazing gig – it was so nice to see those guys again.

“We are doing more than 70 dates this year, we are in the UK till Dec 17th.”

The band is well known and loved for their timeless classics such as On Broadway, Come On Over To My Place and Kissing In The Back Row of the Movies however their new tour and album mixes the old with the new in an attempt to drift this iconic brand into the 21st century.

“It’s a show of great hits but we have got a lot of new stuff in our live shows as well now at the moment,” Williams said.

Their new album, The Drifters: Five Decades and Moore, which is the first official release by the group in 30 years, is being released in memory of the late great Johnny Moore.

For more information on tour dates, visit www.thedrifters.co.uk
 

Last updated: 06 November 2009, 16:40