Overview

Clyde McPhatter (1932–1972) was the golden voice behind a musical revolution—a soaring tenor whose electrifying performances helped define the sound of early rock ‘n’ roll. From his breakthrough with the Dominoes to founding the Drifters and launching a solo career, McPhatter left an indelible mark on American music, becoming one of the few artists inducted twice into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Born into the gospel traditions of North Carolina, McPhatter brought spiritual intensity to the rhythm-and-blues stage. His lead vocals on ""Sixty Minute Man"" and ""Have Mercy Baby"" helped transform doo-wop into a national sensation. At Atlantic Records, he not only led the Drifters to chart success with songs like ""Money Honey,"" but also helped shape the label’s rise as a cornerstone of American R&B. As a solo artist, McPhatter continued to break barriers with crossover hits like ""A Lover’s Question"" and ""Treasure of Love."" But behind the spotlight, he faced mounting pressures—from the isolating toll of fame to speculation about his personal life—all of which contributed to his struggles with depression and alcoholism. Drawing on exclusive interviews with family members and close associates, Have Mercy Baby offers the most comprehensive portrait to date of a musical pioneer. More than a voice of his generation, Clyde McPhatter laid the groundwork for soul, rock, and R&B artists for decades to come. His influence still echoes, even as his life reminds us of the cost of being ahead of one’s time.

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9781496854780

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Reviews

One might say The Isley Brothers traveled the road to success in the spit-shined, glossy black shoes of Clyde McPhatter.--from the foreword by Ronald Isley Steve Bergsman's definitive biography of Clyde McPhatter is a scrupulous investigation into the man whose tenor voice proved essential to the transition from R&B to rock 'n' roll in the 1950s to the emergence of soul. Bergman's deep research and eye for details tell the full story of this crucial singer's life, digging into his early years in a church choir, struggles with segregation, and the machinations of the music industry. This book's honesty and Bergsman's musical expertise provide McPhatter the respect he has long deserved and is essential for the many who he still inspires.--Aaron Cohen, author of Move On Up: Chicago Soul Music and Black Cultural Power

Author Information

Steve Bergsman is a longtime journalist who has written over a dozen books. His recent ones include coauthorship with Carol Connors of Elvis, ""Rocky"" and Me; Earth Angels: The Short Lives and Controversial Deaths of Three R&B Pioneers; What a Difference a Day Makes: Women Who Conquered 1950s Music; All I Want Is Loving You: Popular Female Singers of the 1950s; and coauthorship with Rosa Hawkins of Chapel of Love: The Story of New Orleans Girl Group the Dixie Cups, the latter three published by University Press of Mississippi. Ronald Isley is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is the lead singer and founding member of the family music group The Isley Brothers.

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