Air Week: July 22-28, 2024

Clyde McPhatter: 1955-59

Clyde McPhatter had one of the sweetest and most powerful tenor voices in all of Rhythm & Blues and early Rock n’ Roll. His issue throughout his 22 year recording career, was getting the recognition he thought he deserved. After singing memorable leads on many hit records for Billy Ward & The Dominoes, Clyde left because Billy Ward wouldn’t put his name on the records or pay him a fair share of the profits. Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records was ready to sign McPhatter and give him his own group, The Drifters. That worked out well as now Clyde had top billing and a couple #1 records with the Drifters under his belt. In mid-1955, The Drifters’ manager, George Treadwell, convinced Clyde to go out on his own. His solo career began very successfully as he scored 11 charting records, including 3 #1s in the next 4 years with Atlantic Records. However, the 1960s proved a tough time for Clyde as he felt many of his fans had abandoned him. This week, Matt The Cat focuses on Clyde McPhatter’s Atlantic solo sides from 1955-1959. Clyde was a singer who’s style changed as musical styles progressed during the 1950s, but he never lost his Gospel roots. Dig on Clyde’s greatest solo sides on this week’s “Juke In The Back.”

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