Bill Pinkney 1925-2007

The Chicago Tribune ran an obituary from AP. He died at the Hilton Daytona Beach where he had been scheduled to perform for the Fourth of July festivities. Not bad for an 81 year-old.

He was born in Dalzell, SC, and wasn't a member of the Drifters when they made their biggest hits. He had left the band in 1958 after an argument over money. However, his bass voice was featured on early recordings, which I like just as well as the 60s hits. The obit mentioned that it was his voice you heard on their classic rendition of "White Christmas" which I like even better than Bing Crosby's.

The obit also says that he fought for the right of former performers to continue with the name of the band. I liked his new Original Drifters "Move Across the River".