Interview with Drifters Legend Butch Leake

Drifters Legend Butch Leake talks from his home in New York about his memories as a Drifter in the 1970's 'Bell Arista' era...

How did you come to join The Drifters? What did you do before joining the group?
"Joining The Drifters for me was a matter of fate. The group was going through a line up change (as had been the usual pattern historically) within the organization. The lineup changes over the years came about for different reasons - some related to discontentment with management for one reason or the other and there were other issues such as pay disputes, failure to perform etc....

Myself, I was drafted into the line up in early 1970. Bill Fredrick's (who was lead singer along with Johnny Moore and a dear friend of mine in the neighborhood) approached me about the job one night while partying at a local bar called the Star Lounge in Harlem, New York.

We were harmonizing to some songs that were playing on the the juke box while sipping on a couple of Gin & Tonics. I then was asked if I could come and travel with the act, so I could familiarize myself with what they did. I was soon to replace Rick Sheppard. The new lineup would now profile Johnny Moore, Bill Fredrick's, Don Thomas and myself. Prior to the group, I had just finished a tour of military service in Vietnam."

What's your earliest memory of the music of The Drifters?
"As a kid in New York, I grew up listening to all of the music of the 50's and 60's. Groups that were particularly of my liking were Little Anthony and the Imperials, (who I have been friends with for many years), The Coasters with Speedo, The Shirelles, The Flamingos and scores of the groups of the period. I came in touch with the music of The Drifters when I was 14 years of age and had loved it ever since. I saw the group at the famed Apollo Threatre Harlem New York at an early age. The year escapes me, but fate had it that I would sing with that same group in early 1970 at the same Apollo Threatre. The other acts on the show were Little Anthony and The Imperials, Screaming J. Hawking and Chuck Jackson."

How long were you with the line up?
"Quite contrary to published data on Drifters history, I was on the payroll of The Drifters Incorporated prior to June 1970 through the end of December 1975. All the other chronological data try to date from the signing of the act to Bell Records around 1972."

How does it feel to be such in important part of The Drifter's incredible history?
"Well, obviously it has always been an honor to be part of the legitimate historical personage of The Drifters (even though there are those out there who have tried to undermine that). They plan but God is the best of planners. The Drifters is an ongoing story and will continue to evolve as such. A story has many parts and segments. To remove any part is to distort the essence of its truth. I will always thank the Treadwell Family for allowing me the opportunity of sharing in this historical journey (even though there might be disagreements on the way things were processed in the past). A special thanks to Miss Faye Treadwell and the great work she did over these many years in seeking to maintain the status of the act."

How would you describe The Drifters? What do you think makes The Drifters different? What do you think is the secret to the success and longevity of the group?
"The success of The Drifters takes on a many fold process. Obviously it's the singers who brought a distinct quality to the sound of the act. The group has always been more or less a product of its own imperfections and that where the bodies are buried imperfection that became perfection......so the many singers who came an situated around a core of vocal stylist. The writers were of the best that came out of the music periods. Pure story telling, which any body could understand and relate to in their lives........so lending to the many fans world wide who have a love affair with the magic of the group. Management is also the unseen aspect and platform for its longevity!"

Who were some of the names that you have worked with in the past when touring with The Drifters?
"The list is long in those I have worked with but to name a few - Stevie Wonder, Coasters, Shirelles, Bo Diddly, Frankie Vali & The Four Seasons, Chuck Jackson, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Little Richard, The Ojays, King Curtis, Jackie Wilson, Ruby & The Romantics, The Platters,The 5th Dimension, Sammy Davis Junior, Pete Barbutti, Sonny Turner, Gene Chandler, The Jive Five, The Four Aces, Gloria Gaynor and The Four Tunes."

Can you sum up your experience as a Drifter?
"Being nomadic by nature moving from place to place may point to it in one kind of context but the story is still out. My story is still yet to be told but I can say - once a Drifter always a Drifter."

What is your favourite Drifters song and why?
"Truly there are many Drifter songs which can fit in to my favorite slot but 'Up On The Roof' I might say is a particular favorite as that is the first song which I did identify with (coming out of living in the tenements of New York).

What was your favourite song (s) to perform live?
"My favorite songs live were Up 'On The Roof', 'There goes My First Love', 'Some Kind Of Wonderful', 'This Magic Moment', 'I Can't Live Without You', 'Sister and Brother', 'Please Stay'..."

Are there any particular memories you remember most about being a Drifter?
"Many of the memories are lodged with the personal relations between myself, Johnny Moore, Bill Fredrick's and Grant Kitchings - the games we played in the dressing rooms on the road. A funny happened when singing the US National Anthem at a Knick Basketball game in California - we sang the Anthem with our backs to the flag......that was a blooper!!!"[/i]

What have you been doing since you left the line up?
"Since leaving the Original Bell lineup, I've worked as a solo act in Great Britain, Europe and the United States and much of my time has been devoted towards the new technologies in the computer age and developing my writing singing and media skills."

You recently performed at three dates in the UK as part of the current line up's Sacrifice Tour. Tell us more about the shows?
"My recent trip to the UK for performances with the new Drifters Lineup was a memorable one. The new lads are very polished and are worthy to carry on the tradition. The shows were well staged and I look forward in working with them again. Prism Music Group is doing a great job in development of the shows and the act as a whole."

Have you heard the new Drifters material from the forthcoming album?
"Relating to the forthcoming album by the new lineup - they sound great. My take on the album it is good and it is the first in developing a solid new repertoire which will become a classic in The Drifters tradition."

The Drifters are currently on tour in the UK. Do you have a message to Drifters fans in the UK?
"Drifters fans in the UK are very special. They have been our most positive supporters through out the years and remain the best fans of any I have known in the world. They know us and the music we sing better than any one and will continue to be a mainstay in the success of the group for now and into the future."

I understand talks are in place for a 'Drifters Legends' show featuring yourself alongside other previous line up members?
"The Drifters Legends...... yes will be a great thing and love the idea in working with former members again and those that are Legends in their own time. There is a great potential for a Drifters Legends Show - this is an ongoing story which can be developed in many different ways..."

Is there anything else you would like to add?
"I would like to wish all on the forthcoming Five Decades & Moore Tour all the best for success in 2009 and beyond. May the beacon of history continue to entertain and generate happiness throughout the world."

Butch Leake x

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