Ben E. King, one of R&B and soul music’s greatest vocalists died last Thursday. King made his mark as a member of The Drifters and solo act, amassing a number of hits in his storied career.
King was born Benjamin Earl Nelson in Henderson, N.C. On September 28, 1938. When he was a boy, the family relocated to Harlem. The future star joined doo-wop group The Five Crowns at age 20, then was chosen by a manager to assume the lead role in the R&B group, The Drifters. The Drifters netted a few hits with King in the lead, including “There Goes My Baby” and “Save The Last Dance For Me.”
The Drifters never had a consistent lineup of singers as they were mismanaged, and King opted to go solo in the early ’60’s. This was also the period where the singer took the King stage name. Going solo proved to be the right choice as songs like “Spanish Harlem” and the timeless “Stand By Me” became his signature hits.
King named Sam Cooke as one of his influences and that was evident in the soaring ballads he recorded over time. King’s career waned a bit with the emergence of British pop and rock bands like The Beatles, but he continued recording and touring. He was also adaptable, and had a Disco hit, “Supernatural Thing” in the ’70’s. Between 1961 and 1975, King had 21 tracks that landed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The 1986 coming of age drama Stand By Me featured King’s hit single of the same name, which thrust it back into the public eye. The song has been covered by a series of artists including Otis Redding and John Lennon. Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles also recorded covers of King’s classic tracks.
King continued to tour worldwide up until 2014 although he was said not to be in good health. His publicist revealed that King passed from “coronary problems” but no other details were given. King was 76. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Betty King.
(Photo: PR Photos)
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