Legendary soul singer and songwriter Ben E. King has passed away yesterday. King was 76. No cause of death has been given, but the news was confirmed by King’s old friend and fellow performer Gary U.S. Bonds.
King began his musical career with The Drifters. He would sing lead on classic hits such as “There Goes My Baby”, “This Magic Moment” and “Save The Last Dance For Me”.
King would leave The Drifters in 1960 and score two big hits the following year with “Spanish Harlem” and “Stand By Me” which he co-wrote with Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller.
“Stand By Me” would become a rock ‘n roll standard and has been recorded by the likes of John Lennon, Gene Clark, Mickey Gilley, Maurice White and Prince Royce.
Amazingly, King’s version of “Stand By Me” would hit the charts again 25 years after its release when it was prominently featured in the movie Stand By Me starring the late River Phoenix, Will Wheaton, Jerry McDonnell, Corey Feldman and Kiefer Sutherland. It was the ninth grade and the two most popular songs in the fall of 1986 were “Stand By Me” and The Beatles’ “Twist & Shout” from its use in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Here is the video that was made for “Stand By Me” featuring King, Phoenix and Wheaton. I haven’t seen it in nearly 30 years, but it and the song take me right back. I know I’m not alone.
