Ben E. King facts for kids

Benjamin Earl King (born Benjamin Earl Nelson on September 28, 1938 – died April 30, 2015) was a famous American singer and record producer. He was known for his soulful voice and amazing rhythm and blues (R&B) music.

He became well-known as one of the main singers for the R&B group The Drifters. He sang lead on their huge worldwide hit, "Save the Last Dance for Me". This song was their only number one hit in the U.S.

As a solo artist, King is best known for singing and helping to write "Stand by Me". This song became a Top 10 hit in the U.S. in 1961. It became popular again in 1986 when it was used in the movie also called Stand by Me. It even reached number one in the United Kingdom in 1987. "Stand by Me" was also chosen by the Recording Industry Association of America as one of the "Songs of the Century".

Besides "Stand By Me", his songs "There Goes My Baby" and "Spanish Harlem" are also very famous. They are on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll. His song "Supernatural Thing" also reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart. Ben E. King was honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 as a member of The Drifters. He was also inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012 for his solo work.

Ben E. King's Early Life

Benjamin Earl Nelson was born on September 28, 1938, in Henderson, North Carolina. When he was nine years old, in 1947, his family moved to Harlem, New York. He started singing in church choirs. In high school, he formed a doo-wop group called the Four B's. They sometimes performed at the famous Apollo Theater.

Ben E. King's Amazing Career

Joining The Drifters

In 1958, Ben E. King, who was still using his birth name, Benjamin Nelson, joined a doo-wop group called the Five Crowns. Later that year, the manager of The Drifters, George Treadwell, replaced the original Drifters members with the Five Crowns. This is how Ben E. King became a Drifter.

King had many hit songs with the group on Atlantic Records. He helped write and sang lead on the first hit for the new Drifters, "There Goes My Baby" (1959). King also sang lead on other hits like "Save the Last Dance for Me", "This Magic Moment", and "I Count the Tears". He recorded only 13 songs with The Drifters.

Because of disagreements about his contract, King did not often perform with The Drifters on tour or on TV. Another Drifters member, Charlie Thomas, often pretended to sing the songs that King had recorded.

A Solo Star: Ben E. King

King performing at Apollo theater in Harlem (1964)

In May 1960, King left The Drifters to start his solo career. He began using the stage name Ben E. King. He stayed with Atlantic Records and had his first solo hit with the song "Spanish Harlem" in 1961.

King's next song, "Stand by Me", became one of his most famous. He wrote it with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. This song was voted one of the "Songs of the Century" by the Recording Industry Association of America. King said that singers like Brook Benton, Roy Hamilton, and Sam Cooke inspired his singing style for the song. "Stand by Me", "There Goes My Baby", "Spanish Harlem", and "Save the Last Dance for Me" are all in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. Each of these songs also won a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.

Some of King's other popular songs include "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)", "Amor", "Seven Letters", and "I (Who Have Nothing)". In 1975, King had a big comeback with the Disco hit "Supernatural Thing". This song reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Billboard R&B Charts. It was even nominated for a Grammy Award. In 1977, King worked with the band Average White Band on an album called Benny & Us.

In 1986, "Stand by Me" became popular again. This happened because the song was used as the main song for the movie Stand By Me. The song re-entered the Billboard top ten after 25 years. It also topped the charts in the United Kingdom and Ireland for three weeks in 1987. This made King the first artist to have a Top 10 hit in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

In 1998, King recorded a children's album called I Have Songs In My Pocket. This album won awards for children's music. Ben E. King performed "Stand by Me" on the Late Show with David Letterman in 2007. A music expert, Ahmet Ertegun, once said that King was "one of the greatest singers in the history of rock and roll and rhythm and blues."

As a Drifter and as a solo artist, King had five number-one hits. He also had 12 Top 10 hits and 26 Top 40 hits between 1959 and 1986. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a Drifter and was also nominated as a solo artist.

King performing at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 31, 2012

King's song "I (Who Have Nothing)" was featured on The Sopranos soundtrack CD in 2001. In 2009, King was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. On March 27, 2012, the Songwriters Hall of Fame honored "Stand By Me" with its Towering Song Award. King also received the Towering Performance Award for his recording of the song.

Later Years and Legacy

Ben E. King was very active with his charity, the Stand By Me Foundation. This foundation helps provide education for young people who deserve it. He lived in Teaneck, New Jersey, for many years.

King performed "Stand By Me" during a TV tribute to the comedian George Carlin. Carlin was a big fan of King's music. In 2010, King performed "Stand By Me" with Prince Royce at the Latin Grammys.

King continued to tour and play concerts in the United Kingdom in 2013 and in the United States as late as 2014. He passed away after a short illness on April 30, 2015, at the age of 76.

His Lasting Legacy

Many artists from different music styles have covered Ben E. King's songs. "So Much Love" was recorded by Dusty Springfield. "I (Who Have Nothing)" was performed by Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones. "Spanish Harlem" was sung by Aretha Franklin.

His most famous song, "Stand by Me", has been covered by many artists. These include The Righteous Brothers, Otis Redding, John Lennon, Florence + The Machine, and Tracy Chapman. The song also inspired an Indian hit song called "Dildaara". Ben E. King's music continues to inspire new generations of musicians.

See also

In Spanish: Ben E. King para niños