BARRY LEVINE: Ben E. King’s move to Drifters led to series of top hits

May 2, 1960, is one of the most important dates in rock ‘n’ roll history. That’s the day 55 years ago that Ben E. King, the lead singer of The Drifters, one of rock’s most successful groups, decided to leave the crew to become a solo artist.

King, 19, joined the Five Crowns in 1958. Later in the year, George Treadwell, The Drifters’ manager, fired the entire group following a fight with the owner of New York’s Apollo Theater and he replaced them with the Five Crowns. The new Drifters consisted of King, Charlie Thomas, Dock Green and Elsbeary Hobbs.

With King as The Drifters’ new lead singer, the group became one of rock’s hottest.

He co-wrote and sang lead on The Drifters’ first major hit “There Goes My Baby” in 1959. The song quickly climbed to No. 2 on the charts.

King and The Drifters followed with four other Top 20 hits – “Dance With Me” and “True Love, True Love” in 1959 and “This Magic Moment” and “Save the Last Dance for Me,” the group’s only No. 1 hit, in 1960.

After recording 13 songs with The Drifters, King left the group in May 1960. He had asked Treadwell for an increase in salary and royalties, a request that was rejected. King immediately left the group and began performing as a solo act.

King notched his first hit as a soloist in 1961 with ”Spanish Harlem.”

His next single “Stand by Me” was written by King and the renowned songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. “Stand By Me” was selected as one of the songs of the century as voted upon by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

“Stand By Me,” “There Goes My Baby” and “Spanish Harlem” were voted by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as among the 500 songs that helped shape rock ‘n’ roll.

Among King’s other hits were “Don’t Play that Song,” “I Who Have Nothing,” “Amor,” “How Can I Forget?” and “What is Soul?”

King’s hit “Stand By Me” was reissued in 1986 followed the song’s use as the theme song from the movie “Stand By Me,” a coming-of-age drama directed by Rob Reiner. The tune again jumped into the Top 10 after 25 years – the longest span in history between a song’s reaching the Top 10. It was No. 4 in 1961 and No. 9 in 1986.

The song has been covered more than 400 times.

The original Drifters were formed in 1953, but were immediately reformed during the summer of that year because Treadwell wanted a specific sound. Clyde McPhatter, formerly lead singer of Billy Ward and the Dominoes, became lead of The Drifters and combined with Bill Pinkney, Andrew Thrasher, Gerhard Thrasher and Willie Ferbee.

They had their first hit with “Money Honey” in September 1953.

This group released several more hits — “Such A Night” in 1953, “Honey Love,” “Bip Bam” and “White Christmas” in 1954, and “What’cha Gonna Do” in 1955.

McPhatter received his draft letter in March 1954. He was originally stationed in Buffalo, N.Y., and was able to continue with the group. “What’cha Gonna Do” was recorded a year before its release and was McPhatter’s last record as a member of the Drifters.

After completing his military service, McPhatter pursued a successful solo career with 16 R&B and 21 pop hits. “McPhatter’s signature hits were “A Lover’s Question” in 1958 and “Lover Please” in 1962, both of which made the Top 10.

Among his other hits were “Treasure of Love” in 1956 and “Since You’ve Been Gone” in 1959.

McPhatter became the first double inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was first inducted as a solo artist in 1987 and as a member of The Drifters in 1988.

King also was inducted as a member of The Drifters in 1988, but never has been inducted as a solo artist.

This week in rock history — Andy Williams had the top selling song on April 27, 1963, with “Can’t Get Used To Losing You”. Williams enjoyed quite a career, placing 27 songs in the Top 40. … Little Peggy March, 15 years, 1 month and 13 days old, became the youngest female singer to have a No. 1 hit on April 27, 1863, with “I Will Follow Him.” … The “Witch Doctor” by David Seville climbed to the top of the charts on April 28, 1958. …

Aretha Franklin released “Respect,” a song that became her signature tune on April 29, 1967. It won two Grammys. … Elvis Presley recorded “Jailhouse Rock” for the movie by the same name. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller wrote the No. 1 hit. … On May 1, 1965, The Supremes released “Back In My Arms Again,” which became their fifth straight No. 1 hit.

Barry Levine is an entertainment writer for The Albany Herald. He can be reached at [email protected]