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Burton
                      Cummings & Neil Young 1987


THE  D-DRIFTERS


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The D-Drifters

L-R:  Mike Klym, Tony Romanyshyn, Ihor 'Yogi' Klos, Dave Romanyshyn

The D-Drifters started out as a backing band for Mickey & Bunny before going out on their own.  The band was already playing pubs when the drinking age lowered.

Formed by the Romanyshyn (aka Roman) brothers, Dave on accordion and bass and Tony on guitar, originally from Fraserwood, Manitoba, the band -- Dave and Tony plus Ihor 'Yogi' Klos on fiddle, Mike Klym on drums, and saxophone player Andy Pokolinski -- recorded on their own for V-Records, releasing five albums of Ukrainian dance music including On Tour, At A Ukrainian Concert, Traditional and Original Ukrainian Songs, and Ukrainian Dance Favourites.

Versatility was the band's calling card.  "We always thought of ourselves as a rock 'n' roll cover band but we could play anything," states Dave Roman.

In 1965, the D-Drifters 5 released an album of Beatles and British Invasion pop songs sung in Ukrainian.  Including "She Loves You", "Please Please Me", "From Me To You", and "Needles and Pins", the album was a hit in the Ukrainian community.

The D-Drifters remained a top draw in the pubs and never failed to create a party atmosphere.  "Out first pub gig was at the Lincoln Hotel and people were practically knocking down the doors to get in," smiles Dave Roman.  "We couldn't believe it."

John Einarson
Excerpt from Heart of Gold: A History of Winnipeg Music, 2021


The D-Drifters

L-R:  Tony Romanyshyn (guitar), Yogi Klos (violin), Mike Klym (drums),
Dave Romanyshyn (accordion), Andy Pokolinski (saxophone)

The D-Drifters

L-R, Standing:  Andy Pokolinski, Tony Romanyshyn, Yogi Klos
L-R, Seated:  Dave Romanyshyn, Mike Klym
The D-Drifters

L-R, Standing:  Tony Romanyshyn, Mike Klyn, Dave Romanyshyn
L-R, Seated:  John Wittman, Yogi Klos

The D-Drifters

L-R:  Andy Pokolinski, Yogi Klos, Dave Romanyshyn, Mike Klym, Tony Romanyshyn

Album Cover
Hi Neighbour Festival
                              Promo

The D-Drifters




In 2012, the two surviving members of the original D-Drifters Yogi Klos (fiddle) and Dave Romanyshyn (accordion) got together at Maddock Studio in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada with Randy Hiebert (former D-Drifters member, late 1970s; now lead guitarist withThe Bellamy Brothers) and Norbert Dupasquier (former drummer with the D-Drifters, late 1970s).  This is the last recording of any version of The D-Drifters as within a few short months of the filming, Yogi passed away on May 20, 2013.
  • Dave Romanyshyn  on Accordion
  • Yogi  Klos  on  fiddle
  • Norbert  Dupasquier  on Guitar
  • Randy Hiebert on Bass Guitar


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