The Drifters
Book The Drifters: Celebrating over 60 Years of Classic Rock, Classic R&B, Oldies, Rock, R&B, Pop, '50s, '60s, '70s
Sadly, Mark Sonder Productions Entertainment Agency reported the passing of Charlie Thomas. Charlie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 along with several other former members of The Drifters. Charlie passed away on January 31, 2023. CLICK HERE for more on Charlie Thomas.
The passing of another long-time Drifter Linwood Peel was also sad. Linwood started singing lead immediately after the appearance of The Drifters at The New England Basketball Hall of Fame (in Rhode Island) opening ceremony many years ago, booked by Mark Sonder Productions. Although he had a huge heart for music, entertainment, and life, his heart was not large enough to overcome heart disease. He passed on Saturday, August 31, 2018. May he be performing on stage somewhere in Heaven with Aretha.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, for helping us raise the needed money. --Matthew Wallace, Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce
"Looking forward to having them back with us in the future. A great group to work with!" --Debra Hoskins, Norton Center for the Arts
"Awesome act." --American Entertainment Magazine
"Great show" --American Entertainment Magazine
"Under The Boardwalk" came in at #27 on the Jimmy Buffet/Margaritaville SiriusXM's Top 100 Song Summer Countdown for 2023!
Please note: this is not a tribute band but the real thing! The Drifters are regarded as one of early Rock and Roll’s super groups and charted with megahits like “Under the Boardwalk,” “On Broadway,” “Stand By Me,” “Up On The Roof,” and “This Magic Moment.” Rolling Stone Magazine ranks the Drifters number 81 on their 100 greatest artists of all time. The Drifters have been inducted into both The Rock and Roll and the Vocal Group Halls of Fame and over the years have been fronted by memorable singers such as Clyde McPhatter and Ben E. King.
Through a historical journey, which included no less than 5 legendary lead singers, including Rock & Roll Hall of Famers the late Clyde McPhatter, and the late Ben E. King the group's ongoing story has covered the entire spectrum of Rock & Roll. They were the first musical group to include string instruments into Rhythm & Blues music with their beautiful song, "There Goes My Baby". They were the first musical group to sell 2 million records with their pop classic, "Up On The Roof". They were the first African American vocal group to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Along with fellow inductees the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and the Supremes, the Drifters were in the first class of Rock & Roll legends to be initiated into the Hall of Fame. Their classic tune "Under The Boardwalk" is the most-played R & B record of all time. 20 other million sellers followed.
Their songs have been penned by such historic songwriters as Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, and Carole King as well as "Beautiful" the NYC Broadway Show featuring her music which closed in 2019, with Jerry Goffin and Phil Spector. They have played at the White House on 3 different occasions, performed a benefit concert in Berlin the day the wall fell, performed for the Pope, the Queen of England, Nelson Mandela, and toured the world for the USO in 3 different war zones from Korea to Iraq.
The Drifters Million Sellers 
There Goes My Baby
This Magic Moment
Save the Last Dance For Me
Up On the Roof
On Broadway
Under the Boardwalk
Dance With Me
True Love, True Love
I Count the Tears
Additional Drifters Hits (reached the Top 10)
Lonely Winds
Some Kind of Wonderful
Please Stay
Sweets for My Sweet
Room Full of Tears
When My Little Girl is Smiling
Stranger on the Shore
I'll Take You Home
I've Got Sand in My Shoes
Spanish Harlem
Watch The Drifters (Winstar Global Event Centre Casino, OK)
This Magic Moment
Up on the Roof
Under The Boardwalk
Listen to The Drifters:
Saturday Night At The Movies
There Goes My Baby
Wonderful
Shout!
Stand By Me
If you like this great musical act, we would also like to recommend:
- Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
- The Temptations Revue: A Tribute featuring Nate Evans
- The Platters
- Jr. Walker's Allstar Band
- Forever Motown (Production Show)
- The Catalinas (beach music)
Call us today to create an experience at your meeting, convention, trade show, exposition, concert, club, casino or special event 202-369-1063.
