“P” is for Pinckney, Bill [1925-2007]. Musician. A native of Dalzell in Sumter County, Pinckney began singing gospel songs as a child while working in South Carolina cotton fields. While playing for the New York Blue Sox in the Negro Baseball League, Pinckney met Clyde McPhatter, a young gospel singer. Within two years McPhatter recruited Pinckney and the Thrasher brothers to form a new musical group, the Drifters. Under contract with Atlantic Records, the Drifters moved beyond their gospel origins. They became internationally famous, creating a unique sweet soul sound that expanded the rhythm and blues [R&B] genre. In 1988 members of the Drifters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Until his death, Bill Pinckney continued to perform with the Original Drifters, a permutation of the legendary group.