New Pittsburgh Courier du lieu suivant : Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 22

i 'A j' I' r. I' .1 i' 'v i (' I 1 it t. 5 1. ih 22 If ITJWS I 4 If il hit rhlef In5Dlration. "All my family used to and mother needed a tenor, so she taucht me to sing high," he re calls.

So, captivating was his voice as a boy, that even then he was known as a good singer In church circles. When the McPhatter family moved to New York, Clyde continued to sing in church choirs until he was persuaded to try the lucrative popular field. First he sang lead and Injected new life into Billy Ward's Dominoes, recording such hits as "Honey Love' Tm Not Worthy of and "Have Mercy, Baby," all. of which he wrote. YOUNG CLYDE'S keen sense of business prompted him to leave the Dominoes and organize his own singers, The Drifters.

Success continued to follow McPhatter whose new group's recordings of "Honey Love," "What You Gonna Do?" "Such a Night" and "White Christ mas" skyrocketed in record sales. Withnyde singing lead, his name warr becoming more and more established. Perhaps, even then he dreamed of the day when' he could hit the circuit as a single attraction. But these dreams were temporarily short lived. The Army had other ideas for McPhatter.

The next two years, 1954 to March, 1956, were spent serving with the 606th Anti Air thi nnsiuiGH count J.v Clyde McPhatter 7 rffl rcroj Li vx. McPhatter, who told superiors hm wit a nrofesslonal singer, was made a clerk typist. Two years away from the spotlight did not dull his followers' taste for the McPhater touch. Thousands continued to write fan letters to Herb Abramson, president of Atlantic Records, eagerly anticipating McPhatter's return to civilian life. a "EVEN BEFOBE I went into the service I had planned to try out a solo act," he says.

The outcome of his decision speaks for itself. "Seven Days," released while Clyde was still in Uncle Sara's graces, sold close to a half million platters. "Treasure of Love," released simultaneously with his discharge from the Army and cur rently a hot Jukebox favorite. Is over the half million mark and still going strong. McPhatter's fee as a single now usually runs Into four figures.

His popularity Is phenomenal Just last week they stood In line to hear him at Pittsburgh's Rock n' Roll Lounge. Already he is slated to cut an album for Atlantic for release this fall, and he has been engaged for three guest shots on the Perry Como show. His smiling wife, Nora, beamed happiness over his success as the young couple celebrated their third wedding an niversary with Pittsburgners. By GEORGE Clvdo McPhatter already Is a success atory at the unlikely age of 23! Sine th davs of aCine i i church choirs In hi. hometown.

Durham N. (5., the McPha ter nama bcomega Vord among those Who prefer the magnetic appeal of rock roll Clyde remcmoeri nn Rijmss HASN'T moiled pnii Aru nruaiiouuikwHti" the Army so often doej things, the shy, personable lad from North Carolina. He still con tributes financially to his par ents (his father Is a minister) and is paying for two younger brothers in trade schools. Ont Is studying mechanics; another business. "When they finish I'm going to set them up in a service station garage business of their own," McPhatter said.

For himself, McPhatter sincerely wants to become an American institution "like the Mills Brothers." He desn't like to be categorized as a singer. "I Just want to be known as a good singer who really feels his singing. I figure If I feel it, a portion of it rubs off on the audience. Artistic ability is more important to me," he explained. FOR' IIIS own amusement young Clyde plays the vibes.

Playing tennis Is one of his hobbies, although in 1 school he played quarterback on the football team. A solidly built 5' 163 pounder, McPhatter Is nursing plans to organize his own traveling accompaniment In the near future. His favorite female vocalists are Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, and paradoxically, Clyde's love of modern Jazz Is reflected In the choice of his top musician. John Lewis, pianist with the Modern Jazz Quartet. a i two young la Phatter, recent hit at the Ro'clc Roll AUTOgrapn ranS irl Pitts Lounge.

McPhatter sang to packed audi burgh recelie autogfaphs from Clyde Mc ences In the Steel Ci ry. arris Phot 5 v. I i i' 1 2 r' i i McWiafter Sings yi.lTrJS ai he performs before a packed house. The young singer has had real success with his latest recording, "Treasure of Love.M Harris Photo. I fZftUtn Poa Jw Here Clyde McPhatter checks letting Keady cIofhe7s ln mirror prior to going bnstaae for a set.

Since turning into a solo performer, McPhatter's stock has soared. Harns Photo. a I 'with Ms wife; Nora, and Herb Abramson. Mi Can Kf ail Evert while he was In fheAYi from ran Mail n9 wat discharged a fa' months ago, McPhatter's fan mail continued to roll into the Atlantic i Record Shown releese, McPhatter smiles 4 I rt.