Ben E. King
“The soul voice that turned a churchgoing hymn into the most reassuring promise in pop music.”
As lead singer of The Drifters, King fronted hits like 'There Goes My Baby' (1959) before going solo and recording the timeless 'Stand by Me' in 1961. That self-co-written anthem became his signature and one of the most performed songs of the 20th century. It made him an enduring soul legend.
Early Life
Born Benjamin Earl Nelson in North Carolina in 1938, he moved to Harlem as a boy and sang in doo-wop groups. He joined The Drifters in 1958.
Rise to Stardom
Fronting The Drifters on 'There Goes My Baby' and 'Save the Last Dance for Me,' he went solo in 1960. 'Stand by Me' and 'Spanish Harlem' made him a star in 1961.
Legacy
'Stand by Me' became one of the most covered songs ever and was added to the National Recording Registry. King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Drifters.
Career Timeline
- 1938Born Benjamin Earl Nelson in Henderson, North Carolina
- 1958Joins The Drifters as lead singer
- 1959Sings lead on 'There Goes My Baby'
- 1960Leaves The Drifters to go solo
- 1961Releases 'Stand by Me' and 'Spanish Harlem'
- 1986'Stand by Me' returns to charts via hit film
- 1988Inducted (with Drifters) into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- 2012'Stand by Me' added to National Recording Registry
- 2015Dies at 76 in Hackensack, New Jersey
Biggest Hits
- 'Stand by Me' charted in the U.S. top ten twice, in 1961 and again in 1986 after the film of the same name.
- He co-wrote 'Stand by Me,' drawing on a gospel song he had sung in church as a child.
The Moment You Remember
Those opening bass notes of "Stand by Me" arrive, and a room full of strangers somehow knows every word, joining King in a quiet, collective promise that no darkness need be faced alone.
Portrait: Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel, Maryland, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons