Ben E. King

Benjamin Earl King (born Benjamin Earl Nelson; September 28, 1938 – April 30, 2015) was an American soul and R&B singer and record producer. He was born in Henderson, North Carolina, and moved to Harlem, New York, at the age of nine. His musical journey began in church choirs and with a doo-wop group he formed in high school called the Four B's.

Career with The Drifters

In 1958, King joined a doo-wop group called the Five Crowns. The manager of The Drifters, George Treadwell, later fired the original members of his group and hired the Five Crowns to become the new Drifters. King rose to prominence as the lead singer for this new iteration of the group. He co-wrote and sang lead on their first hit, "There Goes My Baby" (1959). He also sang lead on major hits such as "Save the Last Dance for Me," "This Magic Moment," and "I Count the Tears." Due to a contract dispute over salary and royalties, King left The Drifters in May 1960 to pursue a solo career.

Solo Career

Adopting the stage name Ben E. King, he remained with Atlantic Records. His first solo hit was the romantic ballad "Spanish Harlem" in 1961. His next release, "Stand by Me," which he co-wrote, became his signature song and an enduring international hit. The song reached the top ten in the U.S. in both 1961 and 1986, the latter release coinciding with its use as the theme for the movie of the same name. Other notable solo hits include "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)" and "I (Who Have Nothing)". He experienced a resurgence in popularity in 1975 with the disco hit "Supernatural Thing, Pt. I," which topped the R&B charts.

Later Years and Legacy

King continued to tour and record throughout his life. In 1982, he toured with a version of The Drifters. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Drifters in 1988. Several of his songs, including "Stand by Me" and "Spanish Harlem," are on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll. He also established The Ben E. King Stand By Me Foundation, a charity focused on children's education. King died on April 30, 2015, at the age of 76. He was survived by his wife of 50 years, Betty, and their three children.