Posted on 05/01/2015 11:48:43 AM PDT by yuffy
NEW YORK (AP) — Ben E. King, the unforgettable lead singer for the Drifters and solo star whose plaintive baritone graced such pop and rhythm ‘n blues classics as “Stand by Me,” ”There Goes My Baby” and “Spanish Harlem,” has died. He was 76.
King died Thursday of natural causes in Teaneck, New Jersey, his longtime residence, publicist Phil Brown told The Associated Press on Friday.
A native of North Carolina who moved to New York City as a boy, King was singing with the Five Crowns when they were hired in 1958 to become the new incarnation of the Drifters, a top act for Atlantic Records who had several doo-wop hits featuring tenor Clyde McPhatter. The new Drifters, their records among the first in the rock era to use strings, had a more polished production and vocal style and became key influences on numerous ’60s recordings.
King co-wrote and sang lead on “There Goes My Baby,” and he and the Drifters followed with such favorites as “Save the Last Dance for Me” and “This Magic Moment,” romantic and emotional ballads mostly written by the team of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman.
(Excerpt) Read more at wtop.com ...
Sigh.
What memories these songs bring back.
The movie by the same name was excellent, IMHO.
First, Percy Sledge, now Ben E. King.
Ben E King-”Stand ByMe” Great singer...great song......
......great movie (even though it was directed by a Meathead )
Funny how we ‘racists’ think that black lives such as these matter. Maybe thats because they really did.
Loved his voice!!
The night has come
And the land is dark
His “Stand By Me” was MUCH better than John Lennon’s cover, which was released as a single, and made #5 on the charts.
Stand by Me is one of the most saddest of songs ever recorded IMO. You can almost feel the pain in his voice as he sings it. He had a number of other hits, but that was his biggest. Great singer.... RIP
Yes it was and based off the short story by Stephen King titled “The Body” as I recall.
I sang this song to my wife over the phone when I was courting her long distance. I still don’t know if she thought I was a fool or what...
You know, when you look at the written lyrics, it is actually a very simple song that almost anyone could have written. But yet it's one of the most beautiful and well sung songs from that era or any era for that matter.............It's at the top of my list.
I tried the same thing once (but not to your wife) and that was the last time she ever answered my phone calls......
“Stand by Me” was recorded in 1960, wtitten by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
I don’t think King published anything at age 13.
LOL. Smart girl
RIP Ben E. We will miss your great music and talent!!!
Well done Mr. King.
Correct - Stephen Kings “The Body” was a short story in the mid 80s that the movie late 80s was based on. The music selection and title was determined by the late ‘50s setting from the short story.
So 2 Kings seperated by years each put out a great product in their genre that combined into a great movie.
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