Bill Pinkney
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Bill Pinkney (b. August 15, 1925 in Dalzell, South Carolina) is an American performer and singer. Pinkney is the only surviving original of The Drifters, who achieved international fame with numerous hit records. The Drifters have had a strong influence on soul, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll music.
[edit] Early life
Pinkney grew up singing his favorite music, gospel, in his church choir. Before his career with the Drifters, Pinkney was a pitcher for the New York Blue Sox Baseball Team, which was part of the Negro Baseball League. He also served in the United States Army in World War II, earning a Presidential Citation with four Bronze Stars (for battles including Normandy and Bastogne under General Patton.) Returning from the war, Pinkney began to sing again in various gospel choirs. It was there that he would meet the members of the original Drifters.
[edit] The Drifters
Pinkney and the other men were approached by Clyde McPhatter, who was then the leade singer of the hit band The Dominoes, about organizing their own group.
The Drifters are responsible for hit classics such as "Money Honey", "Under the Boardwalk", "Save the Last Dance for Me", "There Goes My Baby", "Up on the Roof", "On Broadway", and "White Christmas", by Irving Berlin, the 1954 pop hit which remains the biggest-selling Drifters tune of all time.
[edit] Solo Career & Reformation of the Drifters
Although Pinkney ended up leaving the band, he has since re-formed the Original Drifters, made up of key members of the first Drifters band. Along with his musical career, Pinkney has been recognized by leaders such as President Bill Clinton and President Nelson Mandela of South Africa.
Pinkney has been the recipient of many musical awards, including the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award, as well as induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, United Group Harmony Association, Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the Beach Music Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame and holds the key to the state of South Carolina, which proclaimed May 14 as Bill Pinkney Day. Pinkney has also been presented the keys to Sumter, Bamberg, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and was honored by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2002, Pinkney received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Music from Coastal Carolina University. He still tours and records with The Original Drifters, and encourages young talent in their musical endeavours.
