The Drifters represent more than the story of a single group’s success. Changes in personnel and management have led over the years to the sprouting of many Drifters permutations since organizer CLYDE MCPHATTER first went to the Atlantic Recording Company. When Atlantic rejected McPhatter's initial singers (The Mt. Lebanon Gospel Singers), he recruited versatile gospel singers BILL PINKNEY from the Southern Knights, and brothers GEARHARDT and ANDREW
THRASHER, from The Thrasher Wonders to join forces with him. They signed with the company in 1953, thereby establishing the foundation upon which a music legacy was subsequently built.

Thirty- five years later in 1988, originals McPhatter, Gearhardt Thrasher, and Pinkney, along with subsequent Drifters Johnny Moore, Ben E. King, Rudy Lewis, and Charlie Thomas were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It's staff filmed Pinkney’s oral history for archival inclusion
as a part of its Legends Series in March, 2000.

PINKNEY, the only surviving 1953 member, has used the name / mark THE ORIGINAL DRIFTERS since 1958. Committed to keeping alive the name and the sounds of the fifties, he is now on his 47th anniversary tour.