Ashford Campbell Archives - North West End UK

The Drifters Girl – Birmingham Hippodrome

17Apr

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

North West

The Drifters Girl – Birmingham Hippodrome

Faye Treadwell, born in Arkansas in 1926, owned and managed the Drifters following the death of her husband George Treadwell in 1967 and since then navigated their careers and oversaw many legal battles over the use of the name. She made history as one of the first African American managers in show business and created a reputation as a hard-headed businesswoman. Plus, she gave the world the Drifters! For those of us brought up in the seventies the great American songbook was filling up nicely with much loved numbers by tunesmiths who’d long since packed away their music stands and headed for swimming pool filled retirement, but not Miss Treadwell and not the Drifters. They were still touring well into the eighties and beyond with Tina Treadwell taking over her mother’s musical mantle ...

13Mar

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Drifters Girl – Hull New Theatre

There aren’t many 1950s singing groups whose story can still pack theatres 70 years later. But The Drifters are no ordinary group as we discovered while watching The Drifters Girl, a new musical, at the Hull New Theatre on Tuesday. This entertaining production was as much about the group’s manager, Faye Treadwell, as about the group itself. Treadwell (the amazing Carly Mercedes Dyer) managed the group from the 1970s for 30 years, when women weren’t expected to be in business, never mind actually running the whole shebang. And being the first female African American manager brought its own difficulties. Faye’s husband, George, was the original manager of The Drifters, but when he died in 1967, his wife took over the management. Facing litigation in the US and needing to m...

29Feb

By Andrew LeeNo Comments

North West

The Drifters Girl – Liverpool Empire

The Drifters Girl is the story of the R&B vocal group The Drifters, and the remarkable woman behind their success. The story follows the ever-changing line up of lead singers, backing singers, promoters, writers, and producers, with the one constant being the group’s robust manager, Faye Treadwell. It narrates how so many tried to cash in on The Drifters name, yet there can only ever really be one true ‘The Drifters.’ If, like me, you love going to the theatre to listen to great music, sang by quality singers, supported by a superb live band, with glamourous lighting and costumes, then this show is perfect for you. The singing was great throughout, and the inclusion of all of our favourite Drifters hits such as ‘Save the last dance for me’, ‘Saturday night at the moves’, and ‘Under...

The Drifters Girl – Opera House, Manchester

12Oct

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

The Drifters Girl – Opera House, Manchester

The Drifters Girl musical is currently touring the UK after its original West End run and it's arrived at Manchester Opera House and what a show it is! It is an absolute showstopper, with the talented Loren Anderson taking centre stage as Faye Treadwell, the determined and resilient manager of the iconic music group, The Drifters. This production is a delightful journey through the tumultuous history of one of the most beloved bands in the world, and it’s brought to life by an outstanding cast. Loren Anderson’s portrayal of Faye Treadwell is nothing short of remarkable. She embodies the strength and grace of a woman who fought against all odds to protect and nurture the career of The Drifters. Anderson’s powerful vocals and heartfelt performance carry the emotional weight of the sto...