Bill Pinkney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Pinkney
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Willie Pinkney |
| Born | August 15, 1925 Dalzell, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | July 4, 2007 (aged 81) Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | Rhythm and blues, Beach music |
| Associated acts | Bill Pinkney's Original Drifters The Drifters |
Willie “Bill” Pinkney (August 15, 1925 – July 4, 2007) was a famous American singer. He was known as the last original member of The Drifters. This group became very famous with many hit songs. Bill Pinkney helped create their early sound. The Drifters greatly influenced soul, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll music. Because he was an original member, Bill Pinkney was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 with The Drifters.
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Early Life and Military Service
Bill Pinkney was born in Dalzell, South Carolina. He loved singing gospel music in his church choir. His family raised him in a Christian home. He joined Mount Olive AME Church when he was young.
During World War II, Pinkney served in the United States Army. He fought in important battles like Normandy and Bastogne. He earned a special award called a Presidential Citation. He also received five service stars for his bravery.
After the war, Pinkney returned to singing. He joined different gospel choirs. There, he met the men who would become the first members of The Drifters.
The Drifters' Beginnings
Clyde McPhatter was a lead singer for another popular group. He left his old group and wanted to start a new one. McPhatter asked Bill Pinkney, Andrew and Gerhart Thrasher, and Willie Ferbie to join him. They decided to form a new group to record music for Atlantic Records.
Their first song was "Money Honey". Bill Pinkney had a deep voice. He sang the first tenor part on this song.
After Willie Ferbie left the group, Pinkney changed his singing role. He began singing the bass part. You can hear his bass voice on many early Drifters songs. These include "Honey Love," "Adorable," "Ruby Baby," and their famous version of "White Christmas".
The Drifters' "White Christmas" was very popular. It was even used in the movies Home Alone (1990) and The Santa Clause (1994). Pinkney also sang the main part on "I Should Have Done Right" (1956) and "Steamboat" (1955). Bill Pinkney was part of the group from 1956 to 1958. He was not on later hits like "Fools Fall in Love."
After Pinkney left for good, The Drifters had new singers. They recorded many more classic songs. Some of these hits include "Under the Boardwalk" and "Save the Last Dance for Me". Other famous songs were "There Goes My Baby" and "Up on the Roof".
Bill Pinkney's Own Drifters Group
In 1958, the manager of The Drifters fired all the original singers. He hired a new group called The Crowns. He then called them "The Drifters." Bill Pinkney had to leave the group he helped create.
But Pinkney quickly started his own group. He called them "Bill Pinkney's Original Drifters." This new group included important members from the first Drifters lineup. Bill Pinkney's Original Drifters were very popular. They were especially loved in the southeastern United States. Their music became a big part of the "beach music" scene for many years.
Awards and Recognition
Many important leaders recognized Bill Pinkney's musical work. These included President Bill Clinton and President Nelson Mandela of South Africa.
Pinkney received many music awards. He won the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award. He was also added to several Halls of Fame. These include the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was also honored in the United Group Harmony Association and the Beach Music Hall of Fame.
He was chosen for the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame. He was also given a "key to the state." This honor declared May 14 as Bill Pinkney Day in South Carolina. The cities of Sumter, Bamberg, and Myrtle Beach also gave him their "key to the city."
The United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives honored him too. In 2002, Pinkney received a special degree. It was an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Music from Coastal Carolina University.
Death
Bill Pinkney passed away on July 4, 2007. He was in Daytona Beach, Florida. He died from a heart attack. His funeral was held on July 9, 2007, in Sumter, South Carolina. Bill Pinkney was buried at St. Luke's AME Church in Sumter.
