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: 1970

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist

= 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
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 March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/330875.

McPhatter, Clyde. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/330875.

"McPhatter, Clyde." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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