Carolina Music History
Clyde McPhatter
Born in Durham, North Carolina.
Photo: General Artists Corporation/Marvin Drager / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Biography
Clyde McPhatter was born in Durham, North Carolina and became the founding lead singer of The Drifters after fronting Billy Ward and his Dominoes.
He was the first artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo performer having also been in a pioneering vocal group.
Carolina story
A Durham-born singer shaped the gospel-into-R&B vocal style that became the foundation of soul music.
Music
Career & impact
McPhatter's gospel-trained tenor is one of the direct ancestors of soul singing.
Sources
This is an original Drake Magazine editorial profile built from verifiable public record. It is not an exclusive interview, and no quotes, awards or recordings have been invented.