Ben E. King
Benjamin Earl King, born Benjamin Earl Nelson on September 28, 1938, in Henderson, North Carolina, was an influential American soul and R&B singer and songwriter. He moved to Harlem, New York, at the age of nine and began his musical journey singing in church choirs. In high school, he formed a doo-wop group called the Four B's, which occasionally performed at the Apollo Theater.
King's career took a significant turn in 1958 when he joined the Five Crowns, a doo-wop group that later became the new lineup for the Drifters after their manager, George Treadwell, replaced the original members. As a member of the Drifters, King sang lead on several hits, including "There Goes My Baby," "This Magic Moment," and "Save the Last Dance for Me," the latter being the group's only US number one hit.
After leaving the Drifters due to contract disputes, King embarked on a successful solo career. He is best known for co-composing and singing "Stand by Me," a song that became a top-10 hit in the US in 1961 and again in 1986, when it was featured in the film of the same name. The song also reached number one in the United Kingdom in 1987 and was included in the RIAA's list of Songs of the Century. Other notable solo works include "Spanish Harlem," "Supernatural Thing," and "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)."
King's contributions to music were recognized with his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 as a member of the Drifters. He was also inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012. Ben E. King passed away on April 30, 2015, in Hackensack, New Jersey, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music that continues to influence artists and captivate audiences worldwide.
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