In 1953 Ahmet Ertegun, who in the 1940s had founded Atlantic Records, convinced McPhatter who at the time had just been fired as the lead singer of Dominoes, to sign a contract with Atlantic, under the stipulation that the singer form his own group. Although the inspiration for his new group's name - The Drifters - remains unclear, the usual explanation is that the members drifted from other groups. The group's second lineup, which included singers Gerhart Thrasher, Andrew Thrasher, and Willie Ferbee along with guitarist Walter Adams recorded "Money Honey" in the summer of 1953 and by the fall, the song had reached number two on the R&B charts. While lineup changes continued, McPhatter's lead vocals gave the Drifters a distinct sound which continues to encaptivate millions of fans worlwide.
In 1988, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted The Drifters; naming members Clyde McPhatter, Bill Pinkney, Gerhardt Thrasher, Johnny Moore, Ben E. King, Charlie Thomas, and Rudy Lewis. Charlie Thomas and Bill Pinkney accepted the award at the induction ceremony. In 1999, singer Johnny Moore died on his way to a London hospital after having breathing difficulties. He was 64. The Rolling Stone Magazine ranked The Drifters 81st on their list of the 100Greatest Artist of All Time.
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