Rudy Lewis

Rudy Lewis may be the odd-man-out in the annals from the Drifters. He occupied the business lead singer place from past due 1960 until 1964, sometimes writing that function with Johnny Moore afterwards in his tenure. Lewis was highlighted on such music as the strikes “Some type of Great,” “Make sure you Stay,” “On Broadway,” and “Through to the Roof,” aswell as B-sides and outtakes such as for example “She Hardly ever Talked if you ask me That Method,” “Stranger in the Shoreline,” “Someone New Dance with You,” and “Mexican Divorce.” He previously the bad lot of money, however, to can be found in after Ben E. Ruler redefined the group’s sound, rather than got the identification that Ruler did, even though he finished up singing the majority of King’s repertory in concert. Like Ruler, he previously a wealthy, silky tone of voice that may possibly also exhibit passion within an extraordinarily stunning and compelling way, and lots of supporters of the group keep him in nearly as high respect as Clyde McPhatter or Ruler. Delivered in Philadelphia, Lewis acquired began in gospel music and acquired sung using the Clara Ward Performers until immediately before the time, past due in 1960, when he auditioned for the Drifters’ supervisor, George Treadwell, at Philadelphia’s Uptown Movie theater. At that time, the group have been decreased to a trio with Charlie Thomas acquiring the business lead function, and Lewis was employed at that moment. Alas, his tenure using the group finished tragically sometime on the night time of Might 20, 1964 — the next morning hours, he was discovered useless in his bed; some accounts state the reason was a medication overdose, while some who understood him state that Lewis, who was simply a binge eater, choked to loss of life in his rest. The group’s additional lead vocalist, Johnny Moore, stepped in to the breach that same morning hours on the planned program for “Beneath the Boardwalk”, and was the Drifters’ lead vocalist for the rest of their tenure on Atlantic and beyond.