Clyde McPhatter And The Drifters charted their first hit record in 1953. That first hit became 
a #1 R&B classic…MONEY HONEY on Atlantic Records, The Drifters record label for many years. With Clyde McPhatter on lead The Drifters through 1954 they charted a #2 R&B hit with…SUCH A NIGHT and another #1 hit…HONEY LOVE. Elvis Presley would have hits with both MONEY HONEY and SUCH A NIGHT on RCA Victor Records.
The Drifters classic recording of…WHITE CHRISTMAS in 1954 featured both Clyde McPhatter and Bill Pinkney on lead vocals. Their recording charted on the Billboard R&B chart in 1954, 1955 and 1956. Clyde McPhatter left The Drifters for a solo career in 1954. In early 1955 Atlantic Records released…WHAT’CHA GONNA DO. The single became a big R&B hit, peaking at #2.
The Drifters continued with various lead singers through 1958 and charted hits such as…ADORABLE-#1 in 1955…STEAMBOAT-#5 in 1955 (flip-side of ADORABLE). They charted…RUBY BABY-#10 in 1956, the same song that Dion would have a huge hit with in 1963 and another Top 10 R&B hit…FOOLS FALL IN LOVE-#10 in 1957.
THE GOLDEN ERA OF ROCK AND ROLL IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE CLASSIC EARLY HITS OF CLYDE McPHATTER AND THE DRIFTERS…THEY ARE ONE OF THE ALL-TIME GREAT VOCAL GROUPS OF ROCK AND ROLL.
Till the next time—Joe
“MERRY CHRISTMAS” FROM THE “GOLDEN ERA OF ROCK AND ROLL”
The Royal Guardsmen are a pop group from Ocala, Florida. Members included: Barry Winsl
ow-vocals and guitar, Chris Nunley-vocals, Tom Richards-lead guitar, Bill Balough-bass, John Burdett-drums and Billy Taylor-organ.
Their first record on Laurie Records failed to chart, the first time around. That record was…BABY LET’S WAIT”. It would chart in November of 1968 and become a Top 40 hit, charting at #35 on the Hot 100. It was the second record that made The Royal Guardsmen a household name…SNOOPY VS. THE RED BARON (Laurie 3366). The song was inspired by Snoopy the Beagle in the “Peanuts” comic strip. The single charted on December 17, 1966 and became a huge hit, climbing all the way to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remaining at #2 for 4 weeks. SNOOPY VS. THE RED BARON sold over 1 million copies and was awarded a “Gold Record”. The original Canadian version (also Laurie 3366) was released as SQUEAKY VS. THE BLACK KNIGHT.
In February of 1967 they were back on the Hot 100 with…THE RETURN OF THE RED BARON (Laurie 3379). The single became a Top 20 hit, charting at #15 on the Hot 100. The Royal Guardsmen also charted two more hits in 1967, they are: AIRPLANE SONG (MY AIRPLANE)-#46 and…WEDNESDAY-#97. The song that became a Christmas classic, did not chart on the Hot 100, but did rule the BILLBOARD CHRISTMAS MUSIC CHARTS in 1967…SNOOPY’S CHRISTMAS a smash hit, is still a favorite during the Holidays each and every year.
The group would chart three more Hot 100 hits all in 1968, they are: I SAY LOVE-#72…SNOOPY FOR PRESIDENT-#85 and as mentioned…BABY LET’S WAIT-#35 their last Billboard Hot 100 hit.
The Royal Guardsmen’s drummer,Tom Richards died in 1979. Pat Waddell then became the groups drummer. They were still performing into the 2000′s. Can’t help but sing along to their hits…they were fun. Oldies radio is now home to the music of The Royal Guardsmen. Their songs reflect a time when music was much simplier and fun to listen to…”THE GOLDEN ERA OF ROCK AND ROLL”
CLICK ON A TITLE BELOW AND LISTEN AS…THE ROYAL GUARDSMEN SING A F
EW OF THEIR BIG CHART HITS AND THEIR MILLION-SELLER…”SNOOPY VS. THE RED BARON”.
Till the next time—Joe
Bobby Rydell – Holly Jolly Christmas
Bobby Helms – Jingle Bell Rock
Dean Martin – Marshmellow World
Bing Crosby – Do You Hear What I Hea
r
Frank Sinatra – The Christmas Waltz
Frankie Avalon – A Merry Christmas
EACH DAY A NEW “CHRISTMAS CLASSICS” FROM THE “GOLDEN ERA OF ROCK AND ROLL” WILL FEATURE MORE GREAT MUSIC FOR YOUR “MERRY CHRISTMAS” LISTENING.
TILL THE NEXT TIME—JOE
