Drifters (of 1950s, 1960s fame) to perform in Madera Clubhouse

For those who loved listening to the snappy sounds of The Drifters in the 1950s and 1960s, the group will perform in two concerts Thursday, Jan. 17, giving audiences a lively opportunity to step back in time.

Open to the public, two shows at 4 and 7 p.m. will be held in the Crystal Ballroom at Quail Creek’s Madera Clubhouse.

Featuring lead singer Bobby Hendricks, who started with The Drifters in 1957, the group will entertain with a number of their hits that will bring back youthful memories — “On Broadway,” “Under the Boardwalk,” “Dance with Me,” “Strangers on the Shore,” “There Goes My Baby,” “This Magic Moment,” “Save the Last Dance” — plus the group’s first overnight success “Money, Honey” from 1954, the year the group formed.

In a phone interview with Hendricks, he said the sound of The Drifters today is a mix of pop and rhythm and blues. Asked what accounted for the group’s longevity, he said, “Naturally, first it’s the choice of songs. And we had an interesting harmony; the men had been church singers… the songs were very clear; they spoke of love.”

Then, chuckling, Hendricks said he spent his teen years between 16 and 19 imitating the group’s tenor Clyde McPhatter.

Few musical groups from the ‘50s continue to endure but The Drifters fill concert halls and attract baby boomer and senior audiences at festivals across the country. Hendricks said the group’s main audiences are those in their 50s and 60s, but there’s also a lot who are in their 40s.

Another reason for the group’s longevity was their close relationship with top songwriters — Burt Bacharach, Carol King and Doc Pomus. Collaborating with Mort Shuman, Pomus wrote the lyrics to “Teenager in Love,” “Save the Last Dance” and “This Magic Moment.”

Hendricks said the group’s name came about suddenly when a flip comment was made that singers David Owen, Clyde McPhatter and others were drifting in from other groups. “That comment did it — and we became The Drifters.”

Of the group’s most popular songs, Hendricks said his personal favorite was “White Christmas.”

“We had to get permission from Irving Berlin; he had to listen to it before we released it. He heard it and said, ‘Oh, yeah!’ Clyde McPhatter with his unique tenor voice made our version of the song very special.”

Why do those in their 40s and up still love the good old music of The Drifters? “A simple reason,” Hendricks said. “You can understand the lyrics… we had a phenomenal sound—and close to 25 hit songs.”

Tickets are $20, $35 and $50; reserved seats for the 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. shows may be had by calling the Madera Clubhouse at 393-5822. Dinner reservations at The Grill may be made by calling 393-5806.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.