Soul Singer Fayette Pinkney Dies at 61
- Posted on Jul 1st 2009 12:15PM by Dan Reilly
- Comments (65)
Fayette Pinkney, a soul singer best known as a member of the Three Degrees, died Saturday, June 27th, from acute respiratory failure. She was 61.Pinkney (pictured on the far, bottom left) joined Shirley Porter and Linda Turner in the Three Degrees in the early '60s, when she was still in high school in Philadelphia. Managed by Richard Barrett, who produced the Chantels and Little Anthony and the Imperials, the group underwent a series of lineup changes with Pinkney remaining the only consistent member. The trio released several singles, including 'Gee Baby (I'm Sorry)' and 'Maybe,' which found success on the Billboard R&B charts before signing with Philadelphia International Records in 1973.
Under label owners Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, the Three Degrees provided the vocals for MFSB's 'T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia),' the theme song for the popular television show 'Soul Train,' which reached number one on Billboard's Hot 100 charts. Their 1974 self-titled album would be their biggest seller, featuring the hit 'When Will I See You Again,' which peaked at No. 2.
Pinkney left the group in 1976, and released a solo album, 'One Degree,' in 1979. While continuing to sing occasionally, she went back to school, earning a degree in psychology from Temple University and a Master's in human services from Lincoln University. She later worked as an education coordinator and a counselor.
In a statement, Gamble and Huff called the trio "our Philly sound version of Motown's Supremes -- but bigger and stronger and melodic." They continued, saying Pinkney "had a very strong and soulful voice. She will truly be missed by all of us as a member of one the world's greatest soulful female groups."
Dearly Departed Musicians
Bob Bogle, June 2009: The lead guitarist and co-founder of instrumental rock band the Ventures, died at age 75 in June 2009. Bogle suffered from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma but survived long enough to see the group get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year.
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Barry Beckett, June 10, 2009: Producer and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section keyboardist Barry Beckett died at his home in Hendersonville, Tenn. after a series of illnesses. He was 66.
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Hugh Hopper, June 7, 2009: The bassist for prog-rock pioneers Soft Machine passed away in Kent, England after a battle with leukemia. He was 64.
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Kenny Rankin, June 7, 2009: Singer-songwriter Kenny Rankin passed away at Los Angeles, Calif.'s Cedars Sinai hospital from complications of lung cancer. He was 69.
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Jeff Hanson, June 5, 2009: Singer-songwriter and Kill Rock Stars recording artist Jeff Hanson, 31, was found dead in his apartment.
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Koko Taylor, June 3, 2009: National treasure and blues legend Koko Taylor passed away of complications due to recent surgery. She was 80 years old.
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Jay Bennett, May 24, 2009: The multi-instrumentalist and former member of Wilco passed away in his sleep of unknown causes. He was 45 years old.
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Dolla, May 21, 2009: The Atlanta-based rapper, whose real name is Roderick Anthony Burton II, was gunned down outside a Los Angeles, Calif. mall. Burton's publicist told reporters he was waiting at a valet stand after a shopping trip when a gunman shot him. The The 'Make a Toast' star was 21.
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Stephen Bruton, May 9, 2009: The guitarist and songwriter, who worked with the likes of Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson, died from complications of throat cancer. He was 60.
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Ean Evans, May 6, 2009: The Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist died in May 2009 after what the band called "a valiant battle with an aggressive form of cancer."
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Reader Comments(1 of 4)
Bigcityat 7-01-2009
Rest In Peace Fayette,
Your memories will live threw your music.
My condolense goes to your family.
Don Smalls
Big City Production Services.
freesia403at 7-02-2009
Dude u need to use a spell check program. I find it hard to believe you are part of any business. Go back to school!
RMontagueWINNERat 7-01-2009
The 3-Degrees were a favorite in Our Community, in the 60's & 70's. Thanks for the Memories. You were truly an Inspiration. Those songs remain Classic Soul.
kaygee127at 7-01-2009
I was just watching the Sanford and Son episode with them in it and was thinking about how almost everyone from the show was gone now, and now her. Sad.
jjat 7-01-2009
Fred, Bubba, Grady: "we want the three degrees!, we want the three degrees! lol!
R.I.P.
fartingbaboonat 7-01-2009
I remember those songs. :( She had an awesome voice. My parents are that age. Life's too short. I see also in the bottom photo that Bob Bogle died. :( I loved the Ventures.
HELLO MEANLADYat 7-01-2009
you will be missed and thank you for the great melodies.
gerrihan65at 7-01-2009
The Three Degrees recorded "Best of My Love." Doesn't take much to make me happy and make me smile with glee.
"Maybe" was the Chantels. AOL reporters need a fact checker.
sngbird12at 7-01-2009
It was The Emotions.
Sheri and Helenaat 7-01-2009
No, that was the Emotions.
wart0257at 7-01-2009
You are mistaken. That was the emotions.
pcfriar66at 7-01-2009
to Jerrihan 65 - The Three Degrees DID in fact have a hit with "Maybe". It was a remake, not as successful as the Chantels version. Thay also did a remake of the Chantels' "Look in My Eyes". I can't confirm whether or not the did "Best of My Love" The Emotions had the big hit with it in 1977. I didn't see a listing by the Three Degrees in Joel Witburn's Hot 100 or Bubbling Under" references for Best of My Love. Also, the Eagles hit #1 with another totally different song called "Best of My Love".
oaklassicsat 7-01-2009
The Emotions recorded "Best of My Love"
ibtilaat 7-01-2009
Actually, it was the Emotions.
NativesManat 7-01-2009
Have you ever heard of the Emotions? Am sure they sang "Best of My Love". Philly soul-R&B group. The Three Degrees: Best known songs include "Maybe" (1970) and "When Will I See You Again" (1974).
ginadoesat 7-02-2009
Best of my Love was by the Emotions.
georgechevy1at 7-01-2009
Thank you for the beautiful music and the fond memories. Godspeed.
kylieat 7-01-2009
sad.
Girl Friendat 7-01-2009
Emotions sang Best of My Love. Remember singing When will I see you agian at Jr. High Talent show.
zippertheslipperat 7-01-2009
Many stars from the past are passing on and they did set good music in motion that thankfully we can still watch on You Tube and such. The 3 Degrees ruled indeed.