Maurice Cannon- Ohio, USA
Maurice is from Ohio in the US and was chosen - as all members are - for their likeness to former members of the line up. In his case he looks uncannily like Johnny Moore in his later years in the line up. He has a deep velvety voice that has been likened to Brooke Benton. He joined the group in 2005 and adds a classic feel to the group. He also was in the US Air Force and was also stationed in UK and Europe. He has been a long time fan of the Drifters and has performed as a solo performer before being chosen to join the line up.
Steve King - Miami, USA
Steve hails from Miami and joined the Drifters' line up in 2005, chosen by Tina Treadwell daughter of George and Faye Treadwell. A jazz music major from Miami University, Steve has been involved with music all his life and performed in both the US and UK. Like many Drifters before him, Steve served in the US Air Force and as an Air Force musical director, travelled and performed all over the world. Steve's jazz background has brought a new dimension to the Drifters' sound. Steve speaks several languages and is currently recording a Spanish version of 'Sacrifice'.
Michael Williams
Michael was chosen by The Treadwells for his resemblance to the Thrasher Brothers, for his beautiful tenor voice and his R’n’B influenced vocals, which epitomize the original Drifters sound. Michael has previously toured the UK with a high profile Motown show, toured Germany with his own solo show and toured the Caribbean with UB40. Michael is loved by Drifters fans of all ages because of his charismatic stage presence and warm personality.
Damion Charles
Damion is the international choice for the line up and is the newest addition to the group, joining the line up for The Sacrifice Tour. From the very first time Faye brought the group to the UK to perform, and during the late 80's and early nineties, Faye always incorporated one member from the UK in the line up. Damion is from London and hails from an extremely religious background. His mother was a choir mistress in South London and Damion sang and performed in gospel choirs in South London from a very young age. Tina selected Damion not only for his likeness in looks and sounds to Rudy Lewis but also for the Gospel influence that he brings to the group, which has been an integral part of The Drifters since the days of Clyde McPhatter.
The Drifters Discography - The Drifters Albums & The Drifters CDs
As one of the biggest selling bands of all time, The Drifters have collated a huge catalogue of over 50 hits, including timeless classics such as ‘Saturday Night at the Movies,’ ‘Under The Boardwalk,’ ‘On Broadway,’ ‘Up on the Roof’, ‘Come On Over To My Place’ and ‘Kissing In The Back Row of the Movies.’
The Drifters have sold in excess of 214 million singles and 114 million albums across the world and this year celebrate their 55 year anniversary, making them one of the longest serving bands in history.
Since 1953, more than 60 vocalists have performed as part of the group, including icons such as Clyde McPhatter, Ben E King, Charlie Thomas, Rudy Lewis and Johnny Moore. During this time, the only constant has been the Treadwell family, who founded the group back in 1953 and who still own the group to this day.
The current line up is proud and honoured to be the latest chapter in the Treadwell dynasty and uphold the musical and performance values instilled by George Treadwell. A new album to be released in 2009 marks the first official release by the group in 30 years.
www.theofficialdrifters.com
SACRIFICE - CHARITY SINGLERelease date June 28th 2009PRE-ORDER SACRIFICE NOW TEXT SACRIFICE to 81088*
The Drifters have recorded their own version of Sir Elton John’s hit anthem ‘Sacrifice’ to be released as a charity single in aid of UK based HIV+/AIDS Charity MildMay. The single, to be released on June 28th 2009 marks the first official release by the group in over 30 years.
MildMay have pioneered care and treatment for HIV+AIDS patients in the UK and overseas for the last two decades and the charity leads the world in the treatment and rehabilitation of HRBI (HIV Related Brain Impairment) at their East London Hospital, which is well known for the famous visit of the late Princess Diana.
Fi McLachlan, CEO at Mildmay says: “Everyone at Mildmay is really excited about the upcoming release of the new Drifters single, Sacrifice. It is an honour to be working with The Drifters, knowing that sales of the single will boost our care and treatment programmes, helping to rehabilitate patients suffering the effects of brain impairment as a result of HIV and making a difference in the lives of people living with HIV."
Steve V King from The Drifters says: “The Drifters are very happy to support this project to ensure that this effective treatment at the hospital is secured for many years to come. We hope that, through the Sacrifice single, we can really make a difference to people here in the UK who are suffering from this dreadful disease.”
SACRIFICE will be released by download on June 28th 2009 and is available to pre-order now via The Drifters Official Website at
www.theofficialdrifters.comOR BY TEXTING
SACRIFICE to 81088*
*Pre-order costs £1.50 plus standard text message cost. UK Only, unavailable to Virgin network subscribers. Download is via PC/Mac on 28/06/2009 to the URL you receive in the reply SMS.
For support or help e-mail support@indie-mobile.com or call 0845 0945 393
A LEGENDARY NIGHTJUNE 28TH 2009
For the first time ever, the show at the indigO2 at The O2 on Sunday June 28th, will feature eight Drifters live on stage as The Drifters will be joined by special guests ‘The Drifters Legends’ - some of the most popular and acclaimed former line up members of the group from the different era’s of the group’s success with both Atlantic and Bell/Arista records.
Legends include Bobby Hendricks, one of the original Drifters who performed and recorded alongside both Bill Pinkney and Clyde Mcphatter, Butch Leake and Joe Blunt (both from the Bell Arista recording group) and Wolf Johnson, who has performed alongside Drifters Legends such as Bobby Hendricks and Bill Pinkney.
The Drifters will perform a selection of classic hits such as ‘Saturday Night at the Movies,’ ‘Under The Boardwalk,’ ‘On Broadway,’ ‘Up on the Roof, ’‘Kissing In The Back Row of the Movies’ and many more alongside their new material and will be joined on stage for special one-off performances by The Legends.
Speaking from Los Angeles, Tina Treadwell, whose father George Treadwell first founded the group back in 1953, says: “I am so proud that some of the biggest names in the contemporary music industry are behind the current line up of The Drifters and that the legacy is continuing to grow stronger with each decade: This speaks to both the massive appeal and quality of The Drifters music, the eye for talent that my father and mother displayed and the unique longevity behind my father's vision that continues to touch the hearts and minds of our fans.”
“Music trumps language in regards to how it unifies people around the globe because music speaks to the heart. This incredible project stands to be one of the greatest events in the group's history. It has been both a privilege and a blessing for me to be able to assume leadership of the dynasty that my father began over 56 years ago. So, the fact that this event will feature line up members from my father's era, my Mother's era and our current line up, all performing live on stage together, makes it one of the most stellar moments of my career.”
The show at the IndigO2 is on sale now from TICKETMASTER 0844 844 0002 or www.ticketmaster.co.uk or www.theindigo2.com.
www.theofficialdrifters.com/legends
wanted to say hi-- congrats and continued successes. you are a legendary group with an amazing heritage. loved touring with you.. hope i can get a chance to open for you again.... best wishes
Hi Guys great to see you have joined me here in space, you were my feature in my history of music a few days ago, you can check it out in my blogg hope it meets with your aproval,:) hugs your Lady Carol in the UK:) XXXX
Maurice is from Ohio in the US and was chosen - as all members are - for their likeness to former members of the line up. In his case he looks uncannily like Johnny Moore in his later years in the line up. He has a deep velvety voice that has been likened to Brooke Benton. He joined the group in 2005 and adds a classic feel to the group. He also was in the US Air Force and was also stationed in UK and Europe. He has been a long time fan of the Drifters and has performed as a solo performer before being chosen to join the line up.
Steve hails from Miami and joined the Drifters' line up in 2005, chosen by Tina Treadwell daughter of George and Faye Treadwell. A jazz music major from Miami University, Steve has been involved with music all his life and performed in both the US and UK. Like many Drifters before him, Steve served in the US Air Force and as an Air Force musical director, travelled and performed all over the world. Steve's jazz background has brought a new dimension to the Drifters' sound. Steve speaks several languages and is currently recording a Spanish version of 'Sacrifice'.
Michael Williams
Michael was chosen by The Treadwells for his resemblance to the Thrasher Brothers, for his beautiful tenor voice and his R’n’B influenced vocals, which epitomize the original Drifters sound. Michael has previously toured the UK with a high profile Motown show, toured Germany with his own solo show and toured the Caribbean with UB40. Michael is loved by Drifters fans of all ages because of his charismatic stage presence and warm personality.
Damion Charles
Damion is the international choice for the line up and is the newest addition to the group, joining the line up for The Sacrifice Tour. From the very first time Faye brought the group to the UK to perform, and during the late 80's and early nineties, Faye always incorporated one member from the UK in the line up. Damion is from London and hails from an extremely religious background. His mother was a choir mistress in South London and Damion sang and performed in gospel choirs in South London from a very young age. Tina selected Damion not only for his likeness in looks and sounds to Rudy Lewis but also for the Gospel influence that he brings to the group, which has been an integral part of The Drifters since the days of Clyde McPhatter.
The Drifters Discography - The Drifters Albums & The Drifters CDs
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