The Drifters Legends are made up of some of the most prestigious former members of the line up from the different eras of the group's history including Rick Sheppard, Butch Leake and Joe Blunt, who all recorded on some of the group's biggest hits respectively during the Atlantic recording era and the Bell Arista period in the 1960's, 70's and 80's.

The Legends appeared as very special guests to the current line up of The Drifters at an historic event at London’s O2 Arena in 2009, which was promoted by Kennedy Street Enterprises. Lifetime achievement awards were presented to Drifters Legends Joe Blunt and Butch Leake in recognition of the success of the group during the 1970’s on the Bell Arista label.

Rick Sheppard

Rick Sheppard was recruited by Drifters manager George Treadwell to replace departing member Rudy Lewis and officially became a member of The Drifters in 1966, recording with the group for Atlantic Records through the end of the 1960s.

During that time, he toured with The Drifters throughout the world, sharing stages with the greatest names in show business, and performed on numerous U.S. television programs. In the early 1970s, Rick left the group to pursue a solo career and recorded for a number of record labels including Columbia Records.

Butch Leake

It was early 1970 when The Drifters managed by Faye Treadwell, widow to the legendary George Treadwell left Atlantic Records, which had been the home of the group during the earlier years of success, and moved to Bell Records (Now known as Arista Records as part of Sony BMG). The Drifters lineup now consisted of what became known as the classic group of the seventies. This line up featuring Butch went on to record four hugely successful albums and this era became known as the third 'Golden Period' of the Drifters legacy.

During his time as a second tenor and baritone with the Drifters, Butch helped record the memorable hits 'Down on the Beach Tonight', 'Kissing in the Back Row of the Movies', 'Love Games' and 'There Goes My First Love', which topped the British and European charts in the early seventies.

Joe Blunt

Previously a member R&B vocal group “The Chancellors” and Atlantic Records recording artists “The True Reflection,” Joe joined The Drifters in 1975. It was during Joe’s tenure with The Drifters that the group further expanded its popularity in the UK and throughout Europe with the release of the singles “Hello Happiness”, “Every Night’s A Saturday Night With You”, “Closely Guarded Secret”, “Pour Your Little Heart Out” and the smash hit “You’re More Than A Number In My Little Red Book”. It was also during this period that Joe was featured as a vocalist on the following Drifter album tracks: “Like A Movie I’ve Seen Before”, “Twice A Week”, “I’ll Know When True Love Really Passes By”, “When You Coming Home” and “Knee High To A Grasshopper”. After a brief hiatus, Joe Blunt returned to The Drifters in 1983 along with Johnny Moore, Ben E. King, and Clyde Brown.