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The Drifters

THE DRIFTERS

YEAR

1988

INDUCTED BY

Billy Joel

CATEGORY

Performers

Mellow yet savvy, the Drifters painted vivid New York scenes with their syrupy-sweet voices.

The Drifters took the ardent fervor of their gospel days and channeled it into soulful R&B arrangements about typical lives, elevating the everyday to a state of sanctity.

Ben E. King

Ben E. King

Bill Pinkney

Bill Pinkney

Charlie Thomas

Charlie Thomas

Clyde Mcphatter

Clyde Mcphatter

Gerhart Thrasher

Gerhart Thrasher

Johnny Moore

Johnny Moore

Rudy Lewis

Rudy Lewis

HALL OF FAME
ESSAY

By Michael Hill

The story of the Drifters is more than the story of a single group’s success.

It’s also the story of the great rhythm and blues singers who claimed membership in the group at various times, of the equally great songwriters who created classic songs for the group and of the pioneering record executives who helped bring the Drifters’ music to the attention of the world.

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Class of 1988
go up on the roof and look at the stars.
Billy Joel
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