Clyde McPhatter

Clyde Lensley McPhatter (November 15, 1932 – June 13, 1972) was an American rhythm and blues, soul, and rock and roll singer. He was one of the most widely imitated R&B singers of the 1950s and early 1960s and was a key figure in the shaping of doo-wop and R&B.

McPhatter's high-pitched tenor voice was steeped in the gospel music he sang in much of his early life. He was the lead tenor of the Mount Lebanon Singers, a gospel group he formed as a teenager. He was later the lead tenor of Billy Ward and his Dominoes and was largely responsible for the initial success of the group. After his tenure with the Dominoes, McPhatter formed his own group, the Drifters, and later worked as a solo performer. Only 39 at the time of his death, he had struggled for years with alcoholism and depression, and was, according to Jay Warner's On This Day in Music History, "broke and despondent over a mismanaged career that made him a legend but hardly a success."

McPhatter left a legacy of over 22 years of recording history. He was the first artist to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, first as a solo artist and later as a member of the Drifters.

Subsequent double and triple inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are said to be members of the "Clyde McPhatter Club".

Birth and Death Data: Born November 15, 1931 (Durham), Died June 13, 1972 (The Bronx)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1953 - 1970

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, composer, songwriter

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Atlantic 1085 10-in. 8/9/1953 Gone The Drifters ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1087 10-in. 6/28/1953 Lucille The Drifters ; Clyde McPhatter composer, vocalist  
Atlantic 1104 10-in. 8/9/1953 The way i feel The Drifters ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1105 10-in. 8/9/1953 Money honey The Drifters ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1152 10-in. 11/12/1953 Such a night The Drifters ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1153 10-in. 11/12/1953 Warm your heart The Drifters ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1154 10-in. 11/12/1953 Bip bam The Drifters ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1201 10-in. 2/4/1954 The bells of St. Mary's The Drifters ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1202 10-in. 2/4/1954 White Christmas The Drifters ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1203 10-in. 2/4/1954 Honey love The Drifters ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist, composer  
Atlantic 1204 10-in. 2/4/1954 What'cha gonna do? The Drifters ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1229 10-in. 3/14/1954 Someday you'll want me to want you The Drifters ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1231 10-in. 3/14/1954 Try try baby Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1339 10-in. 10/24/1954 Everyone's laughing Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1341 10-in. 10/24/1954 Hot ziggity Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1649 10-in. 8/25/1955 I'm not worthy of you Clyde McPhatter vocalist, songwriter  
Atlantic 1650 10-in. 8/25/1955 Seven days Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1652 10-in. 8/29/1955 I gotta have you Ruth Brown ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1653 10-in. 8/29/1955 Love has joined us together Ruth Brown ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1904 10-in. 3/4/1956 When you're sincere Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1906 10-in. 3/4/1956 I make believe Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 1908 10-in. 3/4/1956 Treasure of love Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 2060 10-in. 7/26/1956 I'm lonely tonight Ray Ellis ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 2062 10-in. 7/26/1956 Thirty days Ray Ellis ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 2155 10-in. 10/10/1956 Without love (there is nothing) Danny Small vocalist  
Atlantic 2156 10-in. 10/10/1956 Heartaches Ray Ellis ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 2342 10-in. 2/13/1957 Just to hold my hand Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 2344 10-in. 2/13/1957 No matter what Ray Ellis ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 2657 10-in. 6/30/1957 Long, lonely nights Budd Johnson ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 2981 10-in. 2/26/1958 Come what may Howard Biggs' Orchestra ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 2984 10-in. 2/26/1958 Let me know Howard Biggs' Orchestra ; Clyde McPhatter vocalist, composer  
Atlantic 3117 10-in. 8/7/1958 A lover's question Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 3118 10-in. 8/7/1958 I can't stand up alone Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Atlantic 3373 10-in. 2/27/1959 Since you've been gone Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Decca 122928 6/24/1970 Someone to believe in Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Decca 122929 6/24/1970 The mixed up cup Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Decca 122930 6/24/1970 Book of memories Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Decca 122931 6/24/1970 Why can't we get it together Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Decca 122932 6/24/1970 Our day will come Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Decca 122933 6/24/1970 Anyone can tell (we're in love) Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Decca 122934 6/24/1970 Mr. Heartache Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Decca 122935 6/24/1970 I'll belong to you Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Decca 122936 6/24/1970 A mother's love Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Decca 122948 6/25/1970 Please give me one more chance Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Decca 122949 6/25/1970 If you only knew Clyde McPhatter vocalist  
Decca 122950 6/25/1970 The ties that bind Clyde McPhatter vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "McPhatter, Clyde," accessed October 13, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/330875.

McPhatter, Clyde. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved October 13, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/330875.

"McPhatter, Clyde." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 13 October 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/330875

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