Effective period / Period of releases: 1953 - 1956

Members: Clyde McPhatter

In 1953, Clyde McPhatter, at Atlantic Records' demand, recruited members of his former gospel group to join him and then named the new group, Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters. In 1954, McPhatter was drafted into the Army, and in 1955, following his Army discharge, he went solo.

The Drifters:
May to June 1953 - David Baughan, William Anderson, David Baldwin, James Johnson
August 1953 - Bill Pinkney, Gerhart Thrasher, Andrew Thrasher, Willie Ferbee
1953-54 - Bill Pinkney, Gerhart Thrasher, Andrew Thrasher, Jimmy Oliver (gtr)