Ben E. King, born Benjamin Earl Nelson on September 28, 1938, in Henderson, North Carolina, was an American soul and R&B singer with a career that spanned several decades. Initially finding fame in the late 1950s as a member of The Drifters, King co-wrote and sang lead on the hits "There Goes My Baby" and "Save the Last Dance for Me." However, it's his solo work, starting with the 1961 release of "Stand By Me," that solidified his place in music history. This classic track remains a timeless anthem of loyalty and friendship, covered and celebrated by countless artists and included in the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry.

Beyond "Stand By Me," King had a string of hits with the soulful "Spanish Harlem" and the chart-topping "Supernatural Thing, Pt. 1". His smooth, expressive baritone voice and poignant lyrical sense connected with audiences around the world, making him an icon of the genre. Though King's commercial peak was in the '60s and '70s, he continued to record and perform until his passing in 2015. His legacy is punctuated by his influence on soul, R&B, and popular music, as evidenced by his induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a Drifter and his countless accolades as a solo performer. With re-recordings of his classics and the consistent discovery of his music by new generations, Ben E. King's artistry remains alive and impactful.

Genres

Rock-and-roll

Soul

Related Artists

Otis Redding

Sam Cooke

Solomon Burke

Percy Sledge

Wilson Pickett

Marvin Gaye

Ray Charles

James Brown

The Drifters

Smokey Robinson

Al Green

Aretha Franklin

Latest Release

Stand By Me - &friends Remix

Ben E. King•

&friends

Single - Released September 6, 2024