Clyde McPhatter - Atlantic 1199 (1958)

Here we have one of the most recognizable voices of not just the early rhythm & blues era, but any era. Clyde McPhatter, born in North Carolina, was responsible for the success of such early groups as Billy Ward & His Dominoes and the first incarnation of The Drifters, which he founded and assembled at the request of Atlantic Records' head, Ahmet Ertegun.

A Lover's Question was unarguably his greatest solo effort.

A secret for a long time, Ruth Brown acknowledged that McPhatter was the father of her son, Ron. Ron has acted in several movies and has portrayed The Platters' lead singer, Tony Williams...opposite Halle Berry...in the Frankie Lymon biopic, Why Do Fools Fall In Love.

White Christmas - The Drifters on Atlantic 1048 (1954)

This side happened to be the first Drifters' tune to crossover to the mainstream Billboard charts...33 more would follow.

First vocal we hear is Bill Pinkney, a South Carolinian, a pitcher in the Negro Leagues and also the last original Drifter to pass away...in 2007.

Second lead will be by the great Clyde McPhatter. McPhatter was a fellow Tarheel from Durham, NC. After winning an Amateur Night at the Apollo, he joined Billy Ward's Dominoes and later was a founding member of the first incarnation of The Drifters.