Coventry Music Articles by Pete Clemons: Cliff Richard and the Drifters 1959

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Cliff Richard and the Drifters 1959 - Coventry Theatre

Cliff Richard and the Drifters 1959 - Coventry Theatre.

by Pete Clemons.

The Drifters chose the unknown path to success when, in October 1958, they met at London's famous coffee bar 'The 2 I's'. Soon after getting together, and settling on the the classic line up The Drifters - known individually as, Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, Jet Harris and Tony Meehan were booked to accompany Cliff Richard on a tour throughout the UK.

The high standard of playing achieved by The Drifters brought positive comments from all corners. Jack Good was particularly vocal 'The Drifters are, in my opinion, the finest permanent backing group for a singer'.

That UK tour called into Coventry Theatre during the first half of 1959. Below is an account of it all. Personally I think this is an important document as towards the end of 1959 The Drifters, as a name, would disappear soon after.

'How they squealed !. How they yelled !. They clapped and they stamped. A girl in the balcony screamed hysterically, another shouted 'Cliff oh Cliff'. In the circle they swayed to the primitive rhythm, jigged in their seats, near danced in the aisles. Yes Cliff Richard really 'sent 'em' at Monday's first night of his twice nightly show at the Coventry Theatre this week.

This 18 year old rock 'n' roller rocketed to the top by televisions 'Oh Boy' series draws more applause by winking one heavy lidded eye than all the other artists put together. Dressed in yellow coat and black shirt, and accompanied by his own group 'The Drifters', he sings and wiggles his way through the 'pop' numbers with which he has made his name – numbers like 'Move It' and 'High Class Baby' – and, believe it or not, a few ballads of yesteryear with of course one or two rhythmic alterations.

And the rest of the show. There is an all too short performance from the Tanner Sisters, whose melodious harmonies seemed on Monday to fall somewhat flat on the youthful rock attuned ears present, two comedians – but why must variety stage humour be so blue? - and some clever jugglers and acrobats. It is traditional variety, in fact. And if the older members of the audience don't like Cliff Richard, well he is good for a laugh !'.

Originally The Drifters had included Ken Pavey, Terry Smart, Norman Mitham and Ian Samwell and some of these musicians had written and performed on Cliff's first hit 'Move It'. But this was recorded prior to Cliff's huge UK touring commitments throughout 1959.

After changing their name The Shadows, who The Drifters became known as, remained synonymous with that of Cliff Richard forever more. They did however accompany star names of the time such as Don Lang, Tony Crombie, Wee Willie Wilson and Vince Eager.

Additionally Jet Harris, along with Royston Ellis, wrote a novel about what life is like on tour with Cliff Richard. The book became a best seller and proved a great success for it's, then, young authors.