The Drifters
April 25, 2025 in Wright Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.
ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAMERS – THE DRIFTERS
Up on the Roof. Under the Boardwalk. This Magic Moment. There Goes My Baby. Dance with Me. Spanish Harlem. Stand by Me. The list of hits goes on and on.
THE DRIFTERS…one of Rock & Roll’s founding vocal groups is once again touring the U.S. under the auspices of their original management team.
From their inception in the early 1950’s and up until recently THE DRIFTERS has a symbiotic relationship with Rock & Roll legend George Treadwell, who’s discovered and managed such famous artists as Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn and Nina Simone. The Treadwell Family was there when the original DRIFTERS formed and was responsible for guiding their career through 20 years of uninterrupted hits that has made them the second most successful recording artist of all time, according to Billboard Magazine.
Through an historical journey, which included no less than 5 legendary lead singers, including Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Clyde McPhatter and Ben E. King the group’s ongoing story has covered the entire spectrum of Rock & Roll. They were the first musical group to include string instruments into Rhythm & Blues music with their hauntingly beautiful song, “There Goes My Baby”. They were the first musical group to sell 2 million records with their pop classic, “Up On The Roof”. They were the first African American vocal group to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Along with fellow inductees the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Bob Dylan and the Supremes, the Drifters were in the first class of Rock & Roll legends to be initiated into the Hall of Fame. Their classic tune “Under The Boardwalk” is the most played R & B record of all time. 20 other million sellers followed.
Their songs have been penned by such historic songwriters as Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, Carol King, Jerry Goffen and Phil Spector. They have played at the White House on 3 different occasions, give a benefit concert in Berlin the day the wall fell, performed for the Pope, the Queen of England, Nelson Mandella and toured the world for the USO in 3 different war zones from Korea to Iraq. And behind it all was George Treadwell and his family, guiding the career of this historic group.
Once again the Treadwell family will be coming out of retirement to put together an historic reunion at US facilities as THE DRIFTERS return to their roots with their latest American tour. It’s been a while since the group toured the country but they are gearing up for a monumental celebration of their 50 year catalogue which includes great titles such as:
On Broadway, There Goes My Baby, Dance With Me , This Magic Moment, Under The Boardwalk, Some Kind of Wonderful, Up On The Roof, Stand By Me, Please Stay, Saturday Night At The Movies, Spanish Harlem, Sweets For My Sweet, Save The Last Dance for Me, I Count The Tears
Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact ECU’s ADA coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the event at 252-737-1018 or ada-coordinator@ecu.edu.