With Ben (Sax),  Gordon Coleman (Guitar),  Pat Hoey (Bass), Frankie Mc Donald (Trumpet),  Joe (Vocals),  Seamus Shannon (Trombone),  Maurice Walsh (Drums),  Ciaran McDonnell (Keyboards) 
The new band was formed and ran for a year under the name of The New Drifters.

The phenomenal success of Make Me an Island soon established Joe and the band as the best in Ireland, a band who could conquer Britain and Europe if they wanted. Soon after, they reverted back to The Drifters. They used variations of the original name Joe Dolan and The Drifters, with Joe using Jo for a while (maybe a graphic mistake on the bus). The DriftersSound was another used.

One of Joe's early colour photos

Ciaran McDonnell was the first casualty of the new band and was replaced by Kevin Cowley (front right)

To those who contributed to a great band:
Jimmy Walsh who replaced Maurice, Gerry Kelly,
Liam Meade, Joe Meehan, Jim Mullally, Mick Bagnell,
Jason Fellon and the Late Tony Newman - to those at the end, John and Sean to Ray and Adrian. And last but not least to BEN and FRANKIE ever faithful to the end.

To Denis, the sound and road crews and to the man that’s been there the longest - Seamus Casey

A LARGE THANK YOU ALL