The Drifters was a name that wasn't only easy to remember. It was accurate, too.
Members drifted in and out. Some were drafted into the military. Others were fired or moved on to pursue solo careers.
More than 25 musicians can lay claim to being a member of the popular R&B and doo-wop ensemble since it first formed in 1953.
Charlie Thomas — who comes to Centennial Hall, Saturday for UApresents' Ultimate Doo-Wop Show — joined The Drifters in 1958 after his street-corner quintet, The Five Crowns, won a chance to perform with the group at Harlem's historic Apollo Theater.
"George Treadwell (who owned The Drifters name) asked our manager at the show if he could turn us over to be The Drifters," Thomas, 71, recalled in a phone interview from his home in Washington D.C. "I asked, 'How can we become The Drifters if The Drifters are here at this show?' He said, 'Let us worry about that.' "
People are also reading…
The Drifters who walked into the Apollo that night left unemployed, as The Five Crowns, including a young Ben E. King, took their place.
The change led to new life for the fading franchise.
The Drifters produced some of their most popular songs with the new lineup, including "Up on the Roof," "On Broadway," "There Goes My Baby" and "Save the Last Dance for Me."
Thomas believes his early years as a Drifter were some of the best.
The group already had the reputation. Slipping into that role allowed the blossoming singers access to top-of-the-line songwriters, equipment and plenty of money, recording with Atlantic Records.
"I got out of the one-room me and Ben had and we got a bigger apartment," Thomas said. "We got a big old Cadillac. Everyone respected us and knew who we were. We felt we were somebody in the world. It kept us safe and out of trouble."
Under the watchful eye of Atlantic Records heads Jerry Wexler and Ahmet Ertegun, The Drifters worked with major names like Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who helped pen the popular "There Goes My Baby" with King.
Thomas remembers touring with a host of giant artists, icons like Ray Charles and Sam Cooke.
"I never thought I'd ever perform with Sam Cooke," Thomas said. "We were just kids. We didn't know what to do. It was exciting for us.
"We became one big family. We had good people on our side like Aretha Franklin, Solomon Burke and Wilson Pickett looking over our shoulders. We knew we were in the right place at the right time."
Transitions were still common.
King, whom Thomas still considers his best friend, left the group in 1960 to become a solo artist.
But as long as the replacement Drifters could carry a note, "it wasn't frustrating," said Thomas. "If they loved what I loved, and loved what the rest of the guys loved, it worked out. It was just another link in the chain. You got used to it and moved on."
Thomas says one of the best parts of being a Drifter is the longevity and the impact of the group's songs.
He adds that it isn't out of the ordinary to have children at his shows wanting to hear some of the golden hits.
"Their parents have taught them how to love rock 'n' roll," Thomas said. "As long as that keeps happening, rock 'n' roll will never die."
If you go
The Ultimate Doo-Wop Show
• Featuring: Charlie Thomas and The Drifters, The Contours with Sylvester Potts, Jimmy Clanton, The Olympics, Kathy Young, Dick & Dee Dee, The Pentagons with Joe Jones and The Blue Suede Orchestra.
• When: 8 p.m. Saturday
• Where: Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd.
• Tickets: $36-$72 through the Centennial Hall box office.
• Reservations/ information: 621-3341.
