May 4, 2015
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Benjamin Earl Nelson, better known as Ben E. King, died Thursday, April 30th at a hospital near his home in Teaneck, N.J.
The multi-talented singer/songwriter began his career in the 1950’s as a member of the Drifters, singing lead vocals on “There Goes My Baby,” “This Magic Moment” and “Save the Last Dance for Me,” the last of which became a #1 pop hit for the Drifters in 1959. Then in 1961, he recorded the exotic ballad “Spanish Harlem,” followed by his iconic hit “Stand by Me,” which became an enduring rhythm-and-blues classic for multiple generations.
According to the music licensing company BMI, “Stand by Me” was the 4th most recorded song of the 20th century, reaching the pop charts no fewer than 9 times. In addition to King’s original version, the classic hit has been performed and/or recorded by such artists as John Lennon, Green Day and country singer Mickey Gilley.
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Earlier this year, “Stand by Me” was added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress, and Rolling Stone magazine ranked it No. 122 among the 500 greatest songs of all time. This esteemed honor ranks right along with King’s 1988 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Drifters.
Interestingly, “Stand by Me” spent more weeks on the charts in 1986 than it did in 1961.
“I never thought for a minute that it would last this long or that I would still be singing it 50 years later,” the soulful singer said in 2012.
Ben E. King was 76.
