My Mentor Bill Pinkney

When I was called by Lacy Hollingsworth (Road Manager of the Group in 1962) to come to New York to join THE Drifters... Bill Pinkney was the first one to take me under his wing and teach me the ropes. He protected  me from all the infighting and taught me how to Survive In The Big Apple.

He introduced me to Lover Patterson and Ben Nelson (Ben E. King who was leaving the group for a Solo career), Clyde McFatter, Gerhardt and Bubba Thrasher, Charlie Thomas, Rudy Lewis, and Johnny Moore (who became my Apartment mate for several years)

Bill was the Consummate Professional and always a gentleman, in every sense of the word. There are not enough adjectives in the dictionary to describe the total gentle nature of "BILL PINKNEY THE MAN".

I truly believe, that every one who ever knew Bill will miss him... I know I will.  "May he now join CLYDE, THE GERHARDTS, JOHNNY MOORE, RUDY LEWIS, and yes LACY HOLLINGSWORTH IN A TRULY "WHITE CHRISTMAS"