Cliff Richard and The Drifters - Cliff (1959)

"Apron Strings" by Cliff Richard and The Drifters


Harry Webb joined as lead singer of The Drifters (originally a skiffle group turned rock and roll) in the late fifties, but despite his Presley-like performance and look, his name wasn't rock and roll enough.  They dubbed him Cliff to imply "rock" and gave him the surname Richard, named for his favorite rock and roll artist.  The other Drifters consisted of Ian Samwell (guitar), Terry Smart (drums), and Norman Mitham (guitar).  None of these members, however, would last long in the band as they would be replaced by a professional touring group consisting of Jet Harris (bass), Bruce Welch (rhythm guitar), Hank Marvin (lead guitar), and Tony Meehan (drums).

The first record was a break out hit for Cliff Richard as "Move It" soared to number two on the UK charts, brought Richard and his band to instant stardom, and is often considered Britain's first real rock and roll record.  The need to follow up the success led to a series of followup singles (all charting well), film appearances, and Cliff Richard and The Drifters's debut album Cliff in early 1959.  The album was a live performance album performed in front of maybe 300 fans at Abbey Road Studios and featured a couple of B-Sides but mostly Presleyan covers of songs from the great American rock and roll song book from Little Richard's "Ready Teddy", Gene Vincent's "Be-Bop-A-Lula", Buddy Holly's "That'll Be the Day", and Ritchie Valens's "Donna".  The album hit #4 to continue Cliff's success.  Although backing bands took to the shadows as nothing but the support of a charismatic lead singer, The Drifters started early to establish themselves as legitimate songwriters and musicians in their own right by releasing two singles without Richard.  Both singles charted well.  With both entities successful in the UK, they began the turn away of Britain's fascination with skiffle music towards a native rock and roll.

Here is the discography surrounding Cliff Richard and The Drifters's debut album:

Teenage Love (1958 by The Chesternuts)
Move It (1958 single)
High Class Baby (1958 single)
Livin' Lovin' Doll (1959 single)
Serious Charge (1959 EP)
Mean Streak (1959 single)
Feelin' Fine (1959 single by The Drifters)
Cliff
Cliff No. 1 (1959 EP)
Cliff No. 2 (1959 EP)
Living Doll (1959 single)
Jet Black (1959 single by The Drifters)

"Move It" by Cliff Richard and The Drifters


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