Biography of Clyde McPhatter

Along with Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, Clyde McPhatter was one of the most influential and important vocalists to emerge in the '50s. His unusually high, muscular vocals brought gospel fervor and sexual passion to the early-'50s hits of Billy Ward's Dominoes, with whom McPhatter cut the showstopping "Have Mercy Baby" and "The Bells." Ahmet Ertegun signed him to Atlantic in 1953, after McPhatter and Ward parted company, and assembled The Drifters around his gorgeous soprano. His solo career began in 1955, while he was serving in the Army; "Treasure of Love," "Without Love," and "A Lover's Question" were his best solo hits. He had some minor success with Mercury in the '60s but died in obscurity in 1972. ~ John Floyd