Bill Pinkney 1925-2007

This week's column is not about wrestling. It is dedicated to a master of his profession, Willie "Bill" Pinkney, who passed away in Daytona Beach, Florida this past week. His group, "The Original Drifters," were there to perform in concert at 4 p.m. When the concert was finished, the group went to his hotel room to find the 81-year-old Pinkney dead.

Bill Pinkney was born in Dalzell, South Carolina on August 15, 1925, and is most well-known for his work with The Drifters, founded in 1953 with Clyde McPhatter and Andrew & Gerhart Thrasher. Their hits included "Under the Boardwalk," "Money Honey," "Up On The Roof" and 1954's "White Christmas" by Irving Berlin, one of their biggest-selling tunes of all time.

Pinkney enlisted in the Army at age 17 and was awarded four Bronze Stars - Normandy, Bastogne, Saint Lo, Rhine River - as well as a citation from President Franklin D. Roosevelt for his bravery in World War II. A gifted athlete, Pinkney pitched for the New York Blue Sox of the Negro Baseball League in the late 1940’s and early '50s.

He was an inductee of the Rock and Roll, Vocal Group and Beach Music Halls of Fame, the United Group Harmony Association, a Rhythm and Blues Pioneer Award winner, and a two-time recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civilian honor. He also holds the title of South Carolina's "Ambassador of Entertainment" and has a park near his Dalzell birthplace honoring him.

Pinkney is in the North and South Carolina Halls of Fame, received an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from Coastal Carolina University in 2002, and was lauded with a "Bill Pinkney Day" in Sumter in September for his many charitable contributions.

He was honored on his 80th birthday at the State House in Columbia in 2005 and in Sumter with a big celebration at the Sumter County African-American Cultural Society. On his 81st birthday, he opened the grounds of his home at the corner of Rowland Avenue and Pine Street for a party featuring well-known friends Maurice Williams of the Zodiacs, Billy Scott of the Prophets, Roy Roberts, Joe Pinner and Harry Turner.

His obituary in the newspaper that serves his hometown of Sumter, South Carolina listed his notice as the passing of a legend.

Willie "Bill" Pinkney, 81, departed this life on Wednesday, July 4, 2007, in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Born in Dalzell on Aug. 15, 1925, he was a son of the late Murray Pinkney Sr. and Katie Smith Pinkney. He was educated in the public schools of Sumter County.

He was reared in a Christian home and at an early age accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and joined Mount Olive AME Church. Later in life he joined St. Luke AME Church, where he remained a member until his passing.

He voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army at age 17 in April 1943, during World War II. He received numerous awards, including a presidential citation with four Bronze Stars for the battles of Normandy, Saint Lo, Rhine River and Bostones.

After his military stint, his avocations were singing with gospel music quartets and pitching for the New York Pelicans and New York Blue Socks in the Negro National Baseball League.

In 1953, Pinkney, Clyde McPhatter, Gearhardt and Andrew Thrasher joined forces and became The Drifters. In 1988, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

Pinkney was the last surviving 1953 original member. He has used the trademarked name Original Drifters since 1958.

He received many more awards and recognitions for services rendered to his community and the state of South Carolina. He was an honorary Sumter County sheriff's deputy; he received an honorary fine arts doctorate from Coastal Carolina University; and South Carolina has established a state park at his Dalzell birthplace.

Bill leaves to cherish his memories: his children, Earthalee Pinkney Johnson, Marchelle Massey Sandoval, Dorothy Powell, Debra Pinkney Barber, Daryl Pinkney, Rhonda Pinkney Jefferson, Carletter Williams, Terry Woods Pinkney, Rodney Jefferson, Lakeshia Davis, Cathy Caruether, Qawiyy "Brent" Nasheed; three sons-in-law; two daughters-in-law; a brother, Henry Pinkney; two sisters, Eliza Pinkney Pearson and Jacquelyn Pinkney Mathis; two sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; 25 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and special friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Alma Black Pinkney; a brother, Murray Pinkney Jr.; a sister, Bessie Hawkins; and one grandson, Willie Early Pinkney.

A section of road that leads into Sumter will soon be renamed in his memory.

It was during the performance that Bill began to chant out the 23rd Psalm word for word and then came into the audience without any security and began to shake hands with fans. You can bet your life that I took my turn at shaking this man's hand, and what a grip he had.

After the concert, the group went into a covered area and signed autographs for anyone that wanted them. I again had the opportunity to thank Bill as I asked him for permission to do an article on him and the group. He graciously accepted, and his road manager gave me one of his "Gold" business cards that I still cherish.

Willis Blume of the Willis Blume Agency, who represented Pinkney and the Original Drifters for many years, noted in a short bio of the singer, "Like fine art, great music stays with us through the years to enjoy and share. Bill Pinkney is still 'Just Drifting Along.'"

May Heaven's door open wide for this great man as his work on Earth is done. Rest in Peace … Bill Pinkney, the Original Drifter.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers

2003 BWC Hall of Fame Inductee
2004 CAC Hall of Fame Inductee
2006 LWA Hall of Fame Inductee
2007 TCCW Hall of Fame Honoree