The Drifters
You know the songs. "On Broadway," "Under The Boardwalk," "Save The Last Dance For Me," "Up On The Roof, "This Magic Moment," "There Goes My Baby," and many more. So many more. They are etched into the memories of music fans worldwide and helped form part of the foundation of contemporary popular music. What these songs have in common is that they are all the product of a veritable hit-making machine better known to their millions of fans as The Drifters. Rick Sheppard is an integral part of that hit-making machine. He's been there for more than 30 years.
Rick Sheppard joined the Drifters in 1966 and recorded with the group for Atlantic Records through the end of the '60s. For years, he toured with The Drifters throughout the world and shared stages with the greatest names in show business. But, we're getting ahead of ourselves.
Show business. It seems that Rick Sheppard was born to entertain. He began performing as a nine year old and by his teenaged years had a number of local television appearances on his resume. His first real professional engagement occurred in Miami, Florida opening for Sammy DavisJr.,of all people, and from then on there was no doubt as to his future plans. And, no turning back. Show business. Entertaining. That's what Rick Sheppard was all about, what he wanted to do, and what would define his life from then on. But, the road along the way would prove bumpy from time to time.
The first several years would see Rick Sheppard on the road in a seemingly endless stream of one-night club performances. During that time, he was in and out of a variety of groups as well. His career seemed to be lacking a real direction, and then came the telephone call that would change his life forever.
It seems that a songwriter familiar with Rick mentioned his name to legendary manager George Treadwell. George, manager of the Drifters, was looking for someone to replace Rudy Lewis. His friend, the songwriter, was sufficiently persuasive so that George Treadwell called Rick Sheppard to see if he would be interested in joining The Drifters. Rick's reaction? "I hung up on him," he confesses. "I was sure it was a friend of mine playing a joke on me, so I just hung up." Fortunately, George Treadwell called back, assured Rick that he was indeed, manager of The Drifters, and . . . oh, by the way, would Rick be interested in joining the group. After a quick apology and three seconds to think about the offer, Rick said yes, and became a part of one of the greatest hit-makers in the history of contemporary popular music. The year was 1966.
For the balance of the decade, Rick Sheppard lived life large as a member of The Drifters. Recording sessions. World tours. Adoring fans. Network television appearances. Constant media attention. The works. But...Times changed. Tastes changed. Popular music changes. It's 1970. "We weren't recording the kind of hits like we had in the past," Rick explains. "Ben E. King had left to pursue a solo career, and he'd been successful, so I thought...hey why not me?" With that in mind, Rick left The Drifters to go it alone. An album was recorded--a darn good one, if truth be told--but, unfortunately a lack of promotion and advertising failed to connect the album with its ultimate audience, and...well, you can guess what happened.
Fortunately, Rick was prepared for this disappointment. His stepfather had been a police detective, and had urged his son to develop a fall-back career if ever something went wrong with his show business. I was very young, I'd always thought about following in my step' father's footsteps," Rick offers. "And, before my career took off, I took the exam for the Police Academy and passed it." That career path was put on obvious hold, but now with his Drifters days seemingly behind him and his solo career not happening, Rick returned to the Police Academy, completed his training, and began a new career as a New York City Hospital Police Oficer. It was good, challenging work. But, it wasn't show business. Inevitably, the lure of the lights, the stage, the audiences proved irresistible, and Rick decided to return to his first and greatest love. With that, The Drifters featuring Rick Sheppard were born. He's not looked back since.
The Drifters featuring Rick Sheppard are entering their third decade of thrilling audiences throughout the U.S. and Canada. Currently, there are plans afoot to bring their dynamic blend of singing, dancing, and overall shownmanship to audiences in Europe, Japan, and Australia. On the recording front, The Drifters featuring Rick Sheppard have recently released two albums on: EMI Capitol Music; Greatest Hits, a re-recording of The Drifters' classic songs, and A Christmas Album, the first-ever album of Christmas songs ever recorded by The Drifters in their long and storied career. It's been a busy time for The Drifters featuring Rick Sheppard. Busy. Exciting. Exhilarating. And, entertaining. For the group and their many fans. Rick Sheppard wouldn't have it any other way.
