RIP, FAYETTE PINKNEY (THE THREE DEGREES)-NOTHING LASTS FOREVER

NOTHING LASTS FOREVER, a beautiful song from her solo LP : One Degree (Chopper Records, 1979)

"In my heart tears are streaming. Fayette, along with Valerie and Sheila, were my fave youth heroes. During the years I came to discover that Fayette was like an angel who laid down her wings when she came to earth. She could speak and write with words that represented a level of completeness and agape love. Now she has gone back to Heaven where she is whole again, as the Lord meant it to be, before the Fall. She is free of pain and in the Kingdom she will shine and sing praises forever. F.R.P., classy friend to so many, R.I.P."
Marijke [from Holland]

BIOGRAPHY:
Fayette Pinkney (January 10, 1948 - June 27, 2009) was an African American singer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was one of the original members of the female soul group THE THREE DEGREES.

In the early 1960s, Pinkney was one of three young teenagers brought together by manager Richard Barrett to form The Three Degrees. The group had a cameo in the classic 1971 movie The French Connection starring Gene Hackman where you can see Fayette. Around 1976, Pinkney left the group and was replaced by returning member Helen Scott.

Fayette subsequently earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Temple University and a master's degree from Lincoln University in 1984.

She worked as a counselor and vocal coach. In addition to singing with her church's inspirational choir, she traveled with a group called the Intermezzo Choir Ministry.

The Three Degrees, together with former member Fayette Pinkney, received various honors during 2007 and 2008, through BEMA and the City of Philadelphia, for their contribution to music over five decades. The four ladies appeared together to receive these awards, creating, for the first time ever, The Four Degrees.

Fayette died on Saturday, June 27, 2009. She had been sick for two weeks beforehand, and in the hospital.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• fayette
• pinkney
• three
• degrees
• love
• tribute
• rip
• memory
• honor
• when will i see
• tsop
• philly
• dead
• respect
• supremes
• trio
• valerie
• holiday
• sheila
• ferguson
• helen
• scott
• music
• soul
• vocals
• legend
• female
• r&b
• motown

[ramona2400]

Likely because of her time with The Three Degrees, Faye's voice will last forever. Said to have been a sweet and kind person I am sure she will be remembered by her fans worldwide. What a great voice she had - with a fantastic range, so powerful, sweet, clear, and crisp. In looking at the clips of Faye in The Three Degrees you can also tell that along with the other ladies she had great stage presence and star power. I shed a tear for her even now.

[ytgm00]

@ramona2400 what a lovely comment; Faye would have loved this and everybody who's a fan of these ladies too! THANK YOU!!! If you are on FaceBook please, become a member of our group "A Toast of Love - A Tribute to The Three Degrees" and enjoy our memorabila of the past and all the news of the future! (with real interaction of the ladies!)

[ChrisOtheBigC]

So beautiful. Great work, thank you for posting. Did Faye's solo lp ever hit cd? I have always liked the Three Degrees, but am more of a "new" serious fan. Did Faye sing any leads on their records. From the hit singles I know, it mostly seems to be Shelia and Val. They were all great.

[ytgm00]

@ChrisOtheBigC

Thank you! But... sad that I have had to made this for our lovely Faye :(

No, Faye's LP never hit cd. As you ask for leads of her: we have a few, like "Souvenirs To Souvenirs", your probably can find that too here as a video. Also, the ladies did solo acts at concerts - recorded of her doing a solo is a Billie Holiday song called "Good Morning Heartache". You find this on Japanese releases (rare items!) and on the orig. vinyl LP "Live In Japan".

[nutothis1]

Thank you for posting this video. They were one of the most underrated girl groups around. I first heard of the Three Degrees when they recorded Maybe. I used to pretend to be singing this song on a stage. They put their heart and soul into it. They truly had heavenly voices. You don't find too much of this talent today. Also, as fast as groups form, they part to go solo. RIP Ms. Pinkney

[ytgm00]

@nutothis1

Thank U for your comment;

Fayette remained more than 10 years in

the group - Helen came back and today, she's still in the group !

Sheila left the group after being there more than 20 years !

Valerie is still in the group today. So what U say about goin' solo...

is a little bit too easy...

[sargeanthulka]

You did a beautiful job here. A fantastic tribute to one of the world's greatest singers ever...

[blackonics]

@ytgm00 I am 46 almost 47. I have heard the sond When will I see you againught it was Diana Ross and the Supremes. Someone help. What happened ? Did Diana a nd other groups eclipse these women in the 60's and 70's? They are so beautiful. Was there only room for one Diana Ross. Fays style is not like Dionne Warwick or Aretha Franklin or Gladys. So what was the deal? Not enough hits. Novelty act or what. Damn..Faye was so beautiful!! I missed it!

[retrorocker44]

Thank you so much for sharing this.

[tallwiltsguy]

What a wonderful singer.....

[flipped54]

What a beautiful, beautiful lady gone way too soon....what a heavenly voice. It's like I am in love with the lady and her music. And, yes, may our Grand Creator keep her in His memory. Hopefully someday her voice will be resurrected and enjoyed again by those who love her.

[peacepipe18]

Thanks for the beautiful music, RIP dear lady.

[durangos230]

Ohh.this is so sad.Did'nt know she passed.This groups harmony was so tight and they flowed so effortlessly.May God keep her in his memory.

[discolarry124]

simply a beautiful and classy woman (the entire group) wow did I ever enjoyed your music to boogie to and get down to. 3 foxy momma's, fine and the package was together my sisters. Fay was and still is a beautiful woman, now performing for the lord in the upper room.

[copanationdie]

I was saddened to see this clip: I didn't know Ms. Pinkney had passed. Is there someone or somewhere to send condolences? I first saw The Three Degrees around 1970 on a show called This is Soul from NY. They sang Brother Can You Spare a Dime and I was hooked! A great group!

[TheBargar]

well done.... thank you for this i forgot just how great she is/ was

[bojack40]

God bless Fayette, thanks for the music. X