Editing Clyde McPhatter (section)

===Early life===
McPhatter was born in the community of [[Hayti, Durham, North Carolina|Hayti]], in [[Durham, North Carolina]] on November 15, although the year is disputed. Some sources cite 1932. Author [[Colin Escott]] cites 1931, stating, "most biographies quote 1933 or 1934, although government documents cite the earlier year".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/allrootsleadtoro00esco|title=All Roots Lead to Rock: Legends of Early Rock 'n' Roll: a Bear Family Reader|date=1999|publisher=Schirmer Books|others=Escott, Colin., Bear Family Records (Firm)|isbn=0028648668|location=New York|oclc=40163451}}</ref>  His grave marker cites his birth year as 1932.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5971465/clyde-lensley-mcphatter|title=Clyde Lensley McPhatter (1932-1972) - Find A...|website=Findagrave.com|access-date=June 13, 2021}}</ref>

He was raised in a [[Baptist]] family, the son of Rev. George McPhatter and his wife Beulah (some accounts refer to her as Eva). Starting at the age of five, he sang in his father's church [[gospel music|gospel]] choir along with his three brothers and three sisters. When he was 10, Clyde was the soprano-voiced soloist for the choir.<ref>Arnold Shaw, ''Honkers And Shouters: The Golden Years Of Rhythm And Blues''. New York: Crowell-Collier Press, 1978, pg. 381.</ref>

In 1945, Rev. McPhatter moved his family to [[Teaneck, New Jersey]], where Clyde attended Chelsior High School. He worked part-time as a grocery store clerk and was promoted to shift manager upon graduating high school.<ref name="Honkers And Shouters 1978, pg. 381" /> The family then relocated to New York City, where Clyde formed a gospel group, the Mount Lebanon Singers.<ref>{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4880/biography}}; accessed March 27, 2018.</ref>