Red Rose Inn and Suites, Plant City

Fans of all ages turned out at the Red Rose Dining Room inside the Ramada Inn, to listen to the soulful tunes of Johnny Love followed by Bill Pinkney and the Drifters. In 1956, Johnny began singing Gospel in churches all over the country and crossed over to singing R&B in 1965 touring with such artists as Otis Redding, Pattie Labelle, Jackie Wilson, and many others. Johnny’s bassist and promoter Ed Lanier, of Magnolia Entertainment, encouraged Johnny to come out of retirement to cut a CD which will be “The Best of Collection,” soon to be released. Johnny is supported by his band “Free Time” which hosts: Jody Marsh- Keyboards, Louie Nagy- Drums and Ed Lanier- Bass. Soon following Johnny’s opening act of “Kansas City Here I Come,” was Bill Pinkney and The Drifters. Although personnel has changed over the years and have led to many permutations of The Drifters, Pinkney is the sole surviving 1953 original member. During the show, a woman in her 20’s handed Bill a note telling him that her father was a die hard fan of his and requested The Drifters' rendition of Irving Berlin's “White Christmas.” Bill addressed the young woman’s father at his table in front of the crowd. The father said, “If it weren’t for the Drifters, there wouldn't have been cruising music in the 50’s.” I agree Bill Pinkney at the ripe-old age of 80+ is remarkable. He crooned; soft-shoed, and even held my hand in front of the crowd as he sang “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” A devout Christian, people ask him how he can be a Christian and still perform in nightclubs. Bill touts, if you’re a real Christian when you walk in a nightclub, you’ll be one when you walk out. Gospel music is a part of his shows, and he’s not ashamed to share. He feels very blessed. When fans ask him “When are you going to sit back and just collect a social security check?" he tells them, “Never!" When and if he does retire, the music industry will lose one of its brilliant stars.