Lifestyle

Around thirty years ago I enjoyed an evening at the Southern Cross Club in Canberra where The Drifters were performing and last week I got the opportunity to actually meet one of them, Wayne Foster.

Wayne was visiting friends Ernie & Chris Blocksidge at their Redcliffe home last week. Chris and Wayne met 25 years ago in Melbourne and have been friends ever since.

The original Drifters formed in 1952 with Clyde McFadden, Bill Pinkney, Andrew Fisher and the Thrasher Brothers with  many changes throughout the decades with Wayne Foster joining the group in 1976.

The Drifters’ classic back catalogue includes Under the Boardwalk, Save the Last Dance for Me, Kissing in the Back Row, Like Sister and Brother, Spanish Harlem, This Magic Moment, Up on the Roof, There Goes My Baby and On Broadway.

At the age of 13, while at Lowndes High School in Georgia  USA Wayne was encouraged by his teacher, Dorothy Carter to pursue his love for music and he started the Wayne Foster Band. She On graduating from high school he took a different direction by commencing a Science Degree at College with intention of teaching Physical Education. Wayne’s mother was a teacher and emphasized the importance of a good education.

In 1976 Ms Carter heard about The Drifters conducting interviews for a new tenor at Grego’s Pizza Hut and arranged for Wayne to go along. He was offered the chance to join Billy Washington, Andrew Fisher and Jimmy Hayley – as the US Drifters.

Back at the dorm Wayne had a big decision to make – choose music or teaching. When he chose music his mother was upset, but to Wayne he felt opportunity only knocks once and within a week was on the road, where he has been ever since.

“I was wet behind the ears when I started,” said Wayne, “but I soon learnt!”

“We were doing two shows a night for six to eight weeks, we were always on the move.”

Wayne tells of all the amazing people he met in the music industry – the Jackson Five, Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, Little Richard. The Platters, Chuck Berry … to name just a few.

“I was in awe of so many of them as a youngster,” he said.

“One who really impressed me was Bo Diddley. We met early on when I first joined the group and when we met again a few years down the track, he remembered me, I took that on board, it meant a lot.”

Wayne recalled an instance where he had chatted a couple whose son had serious problems.

“I talked to the kid – 20 years later he walked up to me with a wife and two children and asked if I remembered him – he said I changed his life,” said Wayne.

“Just thinking about it, brings tears to my eyes, to have such an effect, it’s what it’s all about – connecting with people.”

When asked his favourite song, Wayne said Respect by Aretha Franklin.

It was mentioned that Redcliffe’s own Australia Idol Top 5 in 2008, Chrislyn Hamilton was also a great fan of Aretha Franklin. Wayne remembered her and said she had a fantastic voice.

Besides performing throughout Australia and New Zealand as The Drifters with Billy Washington (now close to 70 years of age and still going strong!) and Patrick Jackson, he also is part of the duo Foster & Jackson. This talented pair perform the Mon Komo theme, which is part of the marketing of Redcliffe’s prestige beachside development on the corner of Anzac Avenue & Marine Parade, Redcliffe.

How amazing that after thirty years that I got to meet up with Wayne, and right here in Redcliffe!