Tuesday, May 20, 2014

May 21, 1964: The Drifters' Rudy Lewis was found dead in his Harlem hotel room, where he’d been since the prior night…



     On May 21, 1964, when the Drifters were due to record

 ”Under The Boardwalk” 


 (which had been written for Rudy Lewis)…







 Lewis was found dead in his Harlem hotel room, where he’d been since the prior night…
Moore left, Lewis right

      Former lead vocalist Johnny Moore was brought back to perform lead vocals for the recording…

 The next day, the Drifters recorded 

 I Don't Want To Go On Without You 

  which was led by Charlie Thomas in tribute to Lewis. Charlie Thomas was the one who closed Lewis' eyes when he was found dead…

      An autopsy was never performed and authorities ruled his death as a probable drug overdose…. However, close friends and family believe he died from a mixture of a drug overdose, asphyxiation and a heart attack…

Dying at the age of 27 made Lewis the sixth member of Club 27

R.I.P. Mr. Lewis…


Rudy Lewis
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