Posted: Jul 5, 07
9:00am
Here is a link to Bill Pickney's official website: http://www.originaldrifters.com/
Here is a link to the following news story about the passing of Bill Pickney from WLTX-TV of Sumter County South Carolina
http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=51244
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(Sumter County) - The last surviving member of the legendary music group "The Drifters" has passed away.
Bill Pinkney was 81. A funeral home in Sumter County says Pinkney died in Florida.
The Orlando Sentinel reports he was scheduled to perform at a Fourth of July concert in Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood told the paper that Pinkney was found dead in his hotel room around 6 p.m. Pinkney did not actually perform. The Daytona Beach News Journal Online reports police believe Pinkney died of a heart attack.
Chitwood told the newspaper that Pinkney was discovered by a member of security in the Hilton hotel room where he was staying. He says someone spotted Pinkney through a window and notified security.
"The drapes to his window were open and when you looked... you could see a person laying there," Chitwood says.
When local emergency officials arrived they were unable to revive Pinkney. Lt. John King with the Daytona Beach Fire Department says he was told the musician battled heart problems.
"My medic said that family members said he had a history of heart problems," says King. He adds, "They weren't able to revive him, though attempts were made."
Pinkney was born in the small town of Dalzell in 1925.
"The Drifters" were an influential beach music group that used components of soul, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll music. Pinkney left the band in 1958 in a dispute over money. He then formed another group called "The Original Drifters."
The Drifters produced several memorable tunes including "Under the Boardwalk," "Up on the Roof," and "Save the Last Dance for Me."
Before his musical career, Pinkney served in World War Two. He also played baseball in the Negro Baseball League.
In his lifetime, Pinkney was recognized by leaders such as Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela. He also received South Carolina's Order of the Palmetto.
WLTX.com will have more details on this story as they become available.
