By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 02:16 pm:

ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS EVER RECORDED AND CERTAINLY ONE OF MY FAVORITES IS {SPANISH HARLEM},NOW OF COURSE IT'S BEN E.KING'S SONG BUT WHAT I WANNA KNOW IS WAS HE OFFICIALLY OUT OF THE DRIFTERS WHEN IT WAS RECORDED,YES I'VE READ THE STORY OF HIM BEING THE ONLY ONE TO SHOW UP FOR THE SESSION ON A SNOWY DAY BUT WAS THE SONG INTENDED FOR HIM AS A SOLO OR WAS IT SUPPOSED TO BE THE DRIFTERS NEXT HIT?? I KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMEONE OUTTHERE WITH THE ANSWER,THANKS.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.8) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 02:37 pm:

The 'legend' of Benny braving the snow and becoming a solo by accident is a myth! He was already a solo artist when he cut Spanish Harlem. In fact, he actually left the Drifters after There Goes My Baby, but continued to record leads until a replacement was found (Rudy Lewis). Until Rudy joined, Charlie Thomas took the lead vocals onstage, and recorded the occasional lead himself - such as When My Little Girl Is Smiling.

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 02:42 pm:

THANKS RITCHIE.THE WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION HERE IS ENDLESS!THANKS AGAIN.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.8) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 02:49 pm:

My pleasure! The Drifters loom large in my favourites :o)