Ben E. King
Benjamin Earl King[1] (né Nelson; September 28, 1938 – April 30, 2015) was an American soul and R&B singer and record producer. He rose to prominence as one of the principal lead singers of the R&B vocal group the Drifters, notably singing the lead vocals on three of their biggest hit singles "There Goes My Baby", "This Magic Moment", and "Save the Last Dance for Me" (their only U.S. No. 1 hit).[2]
For other people with similar names, see Ben King (disambiguation).
Ben E. King
Benjamin Earl Nelson
September 28, 1938
Henderson, North Carolina, U.S.
Harlem, New York, U.S.
April 30, 2015 (aged 76)
Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.
Singer, songwriter, record producer
- Vocals
- piano
1958–2015
As a soloist, King is best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me", which became a US Top 10 hit, both in 1961 and later in 1986 (when it was used as the theme to the film of the same name), and a number one hit in the United Kingdom in 1987. The single was also placed on the RIAA's list of Songs of the Century. His 1975 single "Supernatural Thing" became a top five hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, King was the original recording artist of songs such as "Spanish Harlem", "I (Who Have Nothing)", "So Much Love", "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)", "Groovin'", and "Till I Can't Take It Anymore" all of which have been covered by multiple artists to varying degrees of success.
King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, as a member of the Drifters, and has been nominated as a solo artist.[3] Along with the Drifter's "There Goes My Baby", King's songs "Stand by Me" and "Spanish Harlem" also appeared on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.[4] Additionally, he was inducted alongside the Drifters into Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000,[5] as well as the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012 with the Towering song award.[6]
Early life[edit]
Benjamin Earl Nelson was born on September 28, 1938, in Henderson, North Carolina,[2] and moved to Harlem, New York, at the age of nine in 1947.[7] He began singing in church choirs, and in high school formed the Four B's, a doo-wop group that occasionally performed at the Apollo Theater.[8]
Later life[edit]
King was active in his charitable foundation, the Stand By Me Foundation, which helps to provide education to deserving youths.[12][24] He was a resident of Teaneck, New Jersey, from the late 1960s onwards.[25]
King performed "Stand By Me" during a televised tribute to late comedian George Carlin, as he was one of Carlin's favorite artists.[26]
On November 11, 2010, King performed "Stand By Me" at the Latin Grammys with Prince Royce.[27]
King toured the United Kingdom in 2013 and played concerts in the United States as late as 2014, despite reported health problems.[28]
Following a brief illness, King died at Hackensack University Medical Center on April 30, 2015, at the age of 76.[28][29][30]
He was married for fifty years and had three children and six grandchildren.[31]
Legacy[edit]
King has been covered by acts from several genres. "So Much Love" was recorded by Dusty Springfield and many others.[32] "I (Who Have Nothing)" was performed by Shirley Bassey in 1963 and also by Tom Jones in 1970, as well as a 1979 recording by Sylvester. "Till I Can't Take It Anymore" was revisited by peer Ray Charles in 1970 and "Spanish Harlem" was sung by Aretha Franklin in 1971. "Stand by Me" was covered by the Righteous Brothers, Otis Redding, John Lennon, Mickey Gilley, Florence and the Machine, and Tracy Chapman. The song forms the basis for the Indian hit "Dildaara" by songwriters Vishal–Shekhar. King also inspired a number of rock bands: Siouxsie and the Banshees recorded "Supernatural Thing" in 1981 and Led Zeppelin did a cover version of "Groovin'", which is better known under the title of "We're Gonna Groove".[33]
