Died On This Date (July 4, 2009) Drake Levin / Paul Revere & the Raiders
themusicsover Drake Levin (Born Drake Levinshefski)
August 17, 1946 – July 4, 2009
Drake Levin is best remembered as the guitarist for ’60s rock band, Paul Revere & The Raiders, America’s answer to the British Invasion. Levin was part of the band from 1963 to 1966, when he was drafted into the army. However, Levin was able to secure a position in the National Guard which allowed him to record with the band on weekends. Levin can be heard on the original recordings of such early Raiders hits as “Kicks” and “Steppin’ Out.” Levin died in his home after a long battle with cancer. He was 62.
What You Should Own
George Fullerton was a long time employee of 
Bill Pinkney is best remembered as a longtime member of the Drifters, one of the premier vocal groups of the doo wop idiom. He was and on-and-off member of the group between 1954 and 1958 and can be heard on such early recordings as “Money Honey,” “Honey Love,” “Maybe Baby,” and “White Christmas.” Unfortunately, Pinkney had left the group by the time they recorded their biggest hits, “Under the Boardwalk” and “Up On The Roof.” In 1958, the group’s manager replaced all the members of the group with new singers after which Pinkney formed the Original Drifters that included members of the early formation of the group. They remained a popular touring act for the better part of the next four decades. In 1988, Pinkney as the Drifters were elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bill Pinkney was 81 when he suffered a fatal heart attack on July 4, 2007. He and the Drifters were scheduled to perform later that day.
