The Drifters Royal Albert Hall 29th April 2019

[@denmackar]

I had the great pleasure of being in band who backed THE Drifters from 1971 through to 75 the lineup then was Legend Johnny Moore Bill Frederick's Grant Kintchen Butch Leake we toured extensively with these guys at that time playing to sold out venues every night and this was time when they had great success again with hits on Bell records I can't imagine what they'd think of today's Drifters probably be unprintable today's lineup nothing more than tribute band so I'm happy to say I worked and toured with the REAL Drifters and got fantastic memories of the lovely guys and great artists

[@markluxon5044]

Just seen these in Rotherham but just the 4 without the lead singer. Absolutely brilliant

[@davidharris6605]

Well last night (28/04/22) Navi was at the Concorde Club in Eastleigh doing I have been told a very excellent tribute to Michael Jackson. Let us hope for the Drifters sake he continues to do what he is great at. Just booked tickets for March 2022 lets hope that its time enough for them to get back to the great standard we had up until the Michael Williams line-up. As I have said before we do not want the Four Silhouettes doing a Drifters concert with nearly the whole of the second half performing other artists material. With a back catalogue of many hits and LP tracks we just want to hear THE DRIFTERS and recognise them by the way they look and they be aloud to tell their fans who they are. Come on Treadwell family You know the talent is still out there to perform to the high standard we true Drifter fans expect.

[@nickcraig320]

Saw these in Sheffield last night, they were actually brilliant, the sound on here doesn’t reflect the live sound at all. They are actually the latest in the ever evolving line up of the drifters and the show is amazing!

[@steveedwards6228]

Nick Craig Exactly right Nick sound only as good as the phone allows. They are excellent I think they choose the line up very carefully to keep the standard and respect of the original line up and the name of the Drifters going strong. So many hit songs

[@anthonygretton1889]

@@steveedwards6228 so many hit songs but not by this load of rubbish.

[@micawber57]

@@anthonygretton1889 that's your opinion nothing betters the original line up but it's enjoyable to hear the songs

[@anthonygretton1889]

@@micawber57 not sung by this rubbish. An insult to the hit making Drifters from 1953 until the 80’s . Unprofessional.

[@davidharris6605]

I note Brian Goddards comments have been taken down, but I am glad my comments have been agreed with! I am not a KZbin expert but I cannot understand the workings of the replies sent to my email address (which I have no problem with) yet they do not appear on the actual KZbin I put my comments on? Therefore my replies seem not to make sense? There have been 5 Drifters in the past, the most notable the guitarist and arranger Abdul Samid. The 1963 line-up were 5, Gene Pearson, Johnny Terry, Johnny Moore, Charlie Thomas & Rudy Lewis. It is true that the line up for 4 was the most common. Let's face it the Treadwell organization had enough problems paying 4 a decent wage let alone 5! Hence the reason why Ben E King left. I will source their next show hopefully in the South of England and now Navi is back stage it will be interesting what their running order is?

[@jimcannon1162]

It's sad when you see a different line-up each year!

[@davidharris6605]

Meant March 2023, fingers crossed for an all Drifters Concert of quality.

[@ManofMode]

What on earth?! Saw the Drifters back in the late 80's. One of the most memorable nights of my life. This is as far away from that performance as it is possible to be. Do they do birthday parties too?

[@mercuryxyz7222]

All different singers. Not the same people

[@ManofMode]

@@mercuryxyz7222 Yes exactly and this sad lot sound worse than my dad and his mates did, jamming in the spare room of my parents' house.

[@maggisteele4342]

❤ you guys gotta get to Belfast ❤

[@LR-ee2uu]

If one of them leaves would they replace him with a white singer? The tribute is to the music not the skin colour. It is ilegal to recruit based on skin colour. Same question for ABBA tribute bands. Would they accept a black replacement? BLM AND WLM.... Answers please. Or will this post be conveniently deleted?

[@mercuryxyz7222]

Why do they keep calling themselves the Drifters decade after decade. New singers keep changing the group. The original Drifters no longer exist

[@davidharris6605]

We will have to agree to disagree, you only have to look at pictures of him as MJ. It is a pity that what ever position he holds within the Drifters that they have gone down hill. They are just a glorified tribute band trading under the Drifters name. Nearly all the second half of the show is other artists work, no other genuine groups on the circuit would do this to that extent. At the very least they would do the number in their own group way. You only have to see him doing MJ to see that it is a promotion of his other career. I go to see them as the Drifters and having seen them as many times as they have had members I would like to think I know what I am talking about. It does not help that all identities are kept a secret. Johnny and Ben E. must be turning in their graves. The Drifters legacy is an important contribution to popular music and in the past genuine members allowed to use the Treadwell name have always been of the highest quality. They have always sung mostly DRIFTERS SONGS so I think you should just say "You (we) Better Move On"! Yet another great Drifters song I believe recorded in the Drifters way but originally by the Stones.

[@micawber57]

David the guy on stage is Roland not Navi. As a friend of Navi I think I know what what he looks like Not sure what your agenda is but enough is enough

[@micawber57]

@@briangoddard3511 The line up had over 65 members in a 60yr span They have been seen in over 137 venues on the 2019 tour. 5 arenas and The Royal Albert Hall This year 125 dates.... So far 95% has been sold out. Navi did not buy the rights, he is associated with the Treadwells for over 30 years. The play in the West End highlights how inspirational the group and the owners have been to keep it one of the most recognisable names in music.

[@LR-ee2uu]

If one of them leaves the group, would they accept a white singer as a replacement? The tribute is to the music not the skin colour. It is ilegal to recruit based on skin colour. Same goes for ABBA tribute bands and alike. Aswer please..! I bet it all goes quiet now.

[@frankythefox]

Anyone who has seen these and think they are good obviously have never witnessed a true Drifters concert . Johnny Moore would turn in his grave if he saw these performing . An insult to the legend of the band .

[@derby1263]

I realise they're getting on a bit but I really think the Drifters are sinking. It's time for them to retire

[@davidharris6605]

David Harris 2 minutes ago I am told that Navi has left the UK line-up? That would be great news, back to his Michael Jackson shows which I am told he is good at, certainly not a DRIFTER!. Though their advertising still shows them as the "The 4 Silhouettes". Seems their names are a secret? Just refused to see them at the Concorde Club, not sure if I missed a different set and not the second half as a tribute act? Come on UK management lets get them back to the QUALITY we are used to with a back catalogue of over a hundred songs they do not need to fill up their show with other artists hits! I agree with Dennis and Dave comments. They are, technically the "real" Drifters as they have the licence from the Treadwell organization, but as I say their identity is a mystery. Only found out about Navi ( he is a Treadwell Godson!) through Beverly Knights comments on a BBC programme. There are so many other ex Drifters plying there trade out there , Michael Williams and Ryan King were the last quality line-up. Just listen to Their CD "la vie et l'amour (life and love) and to their single "Do You Dream Of Me" and yet the line up were "sacked" and a couple of them at the time appeared in the Musical "Stand By Me" !

[@micawber57]

Navi was never in the Drifters line up. He manages the tours

[@utahsilvey5930]

Fake drifters never be another Johnny moore or a charlie thomas or rudy Lewis or ben e king or bill pinkney I would never paid to see fake people who want to be someone else

[@jibjab351]

Just some driftwood that washed up.

[@lidamartin2539]

These are not the Drifters -!!!!!t they sound awful ?

[@steveedwards6228]

Remember sound is through camera phone, and they are the latest Drifters 🙄

[@gillblowey]

@@steveedwards6228 they are rubbish

[@steveedwards6228]

Gill Blowey Very interesting and such a boring comment to make

[@gillblowey]

@@steveedwards6228 really !!!!!

[@Kim-ss5bb]

They are brilliant saw the four behind last night

[@anthonygretton1889]

What a load of utter rubbish . Clyde Mcphatter,Bill Pinkney, Ben E King, Rudy Lewis , Johnny Moore and the numerous lead singers that made this name famous must be turning in their graves.

[@margaretphillips6734]

Video dos do them justice

[@margaretphillips6734]

Dosnt do them justice the vid

[@TheLongthorne]

the lead singer is dreadful the one last year was much better come back Michael Williams. why are there 5 drifters

[@gillblowey]

Micheal Williams is now in masters of Motown along with Ryan king and Jordan king check them out on Facebook they are awesume

[@briangoddard3511]

Hi gill how’s you

[@Dangaardable]

Its NOT the Drifters Fake News 👎☹

[@steveedwards6228]

Thank you for your comment which is based on what ? Please see thedrifters.co.uk Check the facts making incorrect comments. Thank you

[@welshieallovertheplace]

@@steveedwards6228 It's a bunch of singers thrown together by the daughter of the band's original manager, the website you mention has no mention nor photo of a single member of the band we see here.

[@anthonygretton1889]

@@steveedwards6228 Your reply proves the point the previous commenter made. The Drifters U.K. The hit making Drifters since 1953 have all been American singers .Since the hits dried up here in the U.K. in the late 70’s with Faye Treadwell running the show she signed anyone to replace the departing members in order to make money out of Mr Drifter , Johnny Moore. They are based in the U.K. due to Treadwell registering a U.K. patent. How many of this current tribute act have American heritage. Why does the advertising material for the tour not feature photographs of the performers or any information on the individuals. Why is the picture used to publicise the rip off show a black and white silhouette of of the 1960’s Drifters lineup. The Drifters up to the passing of Johnny Moore had class, they were polished and had immaculate choreography. No jumping around the stage like excited school kids. Even when Ben E King, Johnny ,Clyde Brown and Joe Blunt toured in the 80’s they were true professions. This money spinning rip off is an insult to all those performers who contributed when the iconic group had hit records.

[@margaretphillips6734]

Which royal albert hall

[@micawber57]

Royal Albert Hall London

[@margaretphillips6734]

I was on the drifters group I told them these fellers players done the London Royal albert hall was told wasn't the royal and was just albert hall in Wales I think, I hope it was at London!! How do I put this on the drifters group ??

[@micawber57]

@@margaretphillips6734 I can guarantee it was the Royal Albert Hall in London I was there and that is where the video I have posted was filmed. It was a great night