[Deathwatch] Bill Pinkney, Drifters singer, 81

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

Last original Drifter dead at 81
updated 8:57 a.m. EDT, Thu July 5, 2007

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/05/obit.pinkney.ap/index.html

 DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (AP)  -- Bill Pinkney, the last survivor of the
original members of the musical group The Drifters, died Wednesday. He
was 81.

Pinkney was found dead at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort,
Daytona Beach Police spokesman Jimmie Flynt said. The death was not
considered suspicious, he said.

Pinkney was scheduled to perform for Fourth of July festivities there.

The Drifters, whose hits include "Under the Boardwalk," "Up on the
Roof," and "Save the Last Dance For Me," still performed Wednesday
night. An announcement about Pinkney's death was made after the show,
said the group's publicist, Donnie Lowery.

Pinkney, born in Dalzell, South Carolina, wasn't with The Drifters when
they recorded their biggest hits. He left in the band in 1958 because
of an argument over cash. His distinctive bass voice can be heard on
the group's version of the holiday classic "White Christmas."

Even though he left the group, Pinkney didn't let go of The Drifters'
name. He fought for laws allowing performers or bands to claim an
affiliation with a classic group like The Drifters or The Coasters only
if at least one member recorded with the original group.

The Drifters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.


Pinkney was a World War II veteran and pitched for the New York Blue
Sox of the Negro Baseball League in the late 1940s and early '50s.

Many thanks to TheLenGuy for posting this obituary