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Clyde McPhatter (November 15, 1932 – June 13, 1972) was an American R&B singer.

Life and career

McPhatter was raised in a religious Baptist family, the son of Rev. George McPhatter and wife Beulah (though some accounts refer to her as Eva), and sang in his father's church choir gospel along with his sbiblings in 1945 after his family moved to New Jersey. They soon relocated to New York City, and McPhatter formed the gospel group The Mount Lebanon Singers.^[2]

In 1950, after winning "Amateur Night" at Harlem's Apollo Theater, McPhatter was recruited by Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and was present for the recording of "Sixty Minute Man" for Federal Records and produced by Ralph Bass. After recording several more songs, including "Have Mercy Baby" and "The Bells", McPhatter quit the group in 1953. Before leaving The Dominoes, he was asked by Billy Ward to coach the group's replacement lead tenor. A young Jackie Wilson took over as The Dominoes' lead tenor. McPhatter then signed to Atlantic Records on the condition that he form his own group. Clyde promptly assembled a group and called them The Drifters, who released "Money Honey", "Such a Night", "Honey Love", "White Christmas" and "Whatcha Gonna Do".

In 1954, McPhatter was drafted but was assigned to Special Services in the continental United States, allowing him to continue recording. After his tour of duty was up, he left The Drifters and launched a solo career. His first solo hit occurred just after being discharged - "Love Has Joined Us Together" (with Ruth Brown). He released several R&B recordings in the next few years, with the Brook Benton-penned song "A Lover's Question", which made it to #6 in 1958. In 1962 the song "Lover Please" written by country artist Billy Swan was released. His 1956 recording "Treasure of Love" saw his first solo #1 on the R&B charts and one week in the UK Singles Chart. It reached #16 on the U.S. Pop charts.

McPhatter soon signed to MGM Records, and released several more song, including "I Told Myself a Lie" and "Think Me a Kiss" (1960) and his first single for Mercury Records "Ta Ta". "I Never Knew" and his final Top Ten hit "Lover Please", which made it to #7 in 1962.

In 1968, McPhatter spent some time living in England where he was backed by UK band "ICE".

McPhatter returned to America in 1970, making a few appearances on Rock 'N Roll revival tours, but two years later on June 13, 1972, Clyde McPhatter died of complications of heart, liver, and kidney disease, brought on by alcohol abuse; that abuse was fueled by a failed career and resentment he felt towards the fans he thought deserted him. In a 1971 interview with journalist Marcia Vance, McPhatter told Vance "I have no fans." He was buried at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, New Jersey.^[3][4]

Legacy and honors

In 1987 was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Rockabilly Hall of Fame recognized his pioneering efforts.

The Original Drifters were inducted in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.

The United States Postal Service issued a stamp in his honor in 1993.

The song "Money Honey" (1953) was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

Singles

No album he recorded ever appeared on the charts.

Music sample

Come What May: File:Come What May - McPhatter.ogg

References