BMF: Clyde McPhatter (Drifters)

Today, Birthday Music Facts celebrates the life of Clyde McPhatter, who was born on Nov. 13 1933.

Check out the five facts below:

1. Clyde McPhatter was a member of not one, but two extremely influential and legendary singing groups. The first, was Billy Ward and The Dominoes, the being the first set of The Drifters.

2. Ray Stevens hit single “Ahab the Arab” pays homage to Clyde McPhatter. In 1962, when Stevens was cutting the track he noticed Clyde McPhatter in the studio. He change the words around and named the camel “Clyde” in honor of McPhatter.

3. Clyde McPhatter owned a record shop in new Rochelle New York. In May 1958, over $750 in cash, along with five boxes of records were stolen from the store.

4. The United States Postal Service issued a stamp in Clyde McPhatter’s honor in 1993.

5. Clyde McPhatter died of a heart attack in New York City in June 1972. He was just 41-years-old when he died.

Share this content:

Related Posts