Born and raised in South Jamaica, Queens, New York City, Drayton started out playing drums at St. Clement The Pope Middle School and switched to guitar at age 14.[4] After high school, he eventually met and played with many musicians in diverse genres, including rock, funk, soul, blues and jazz, and R&B.
In 2012, Drayton was active in trying to get his son, Donovan Drayton, released from Riker's Island.[7] In 2013, he contributed music to a benefit album to help recoup the legal fees involved in this fight.
On February 7, 2020, Drayton died of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and treatment complications at the age of 66.[5]
