Ben E. King Dead at 76

Anything to do with the world of music...old or new

Ben E. King Dead at 76

Postby jon » Fri May 01, 2015 8:07 am

Ben E. King, the singer of ‘Stand By Me,’ dead at 76
By Associated Press
May 1, 2015 8:58 AM

Image

NEW YORK — Ben E. King, singer of such classics as “Stand By Me,” “There Goes My Baby” and “Spanish Harlem,” has died.

King died Thursday at age 76, publicist Phil Brown told The Associated Press. Brown did not immediately have other details.

As a member of the Drifters, King co-wrote and sang lead on “There Goes My Baby.” The band had a string of hits featuring King, including “Save the Last Dance for Me” and “This Magic Moment,” before he left in a contract dispute.

The 1961 ballad “Spanish Harlem” gave King his first solo hit. “Stand By Me,” written with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, was chosen one of the Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America.
User avatar
jon
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 9256
Joined: Mon May 08, 2006 10:15 am
Location: Edmonton

Re: Ben E. King Dead at 76

Postby Firedog » Fri May 01, 2015 10:55 am

Benjamin Earl King. "There Goes My Baby" debuted on CKWX June 8, 1959, charted for 13 weeks and peaked at #17. "This Magic Moment" debuted on CKWX February 8, 1960, charted for 10 weeks and peaked at #17. "Save The Last Dance For Me" debuted on CFUN September 17, 1960, charted for 9 weeks and peaked at #2. After leaving the Drifters, "Stand By Me" debuted on CFUN June 17, 1961, charted for 5 weeks and peaked at #27.

In 1986, "Stand By Me" (the song) was used as the title song for the movie "Stand By Me" The song debuted on the RPM chart November 1, 1986, charted for 27 weeks, spent 10 weeks in the top 10 and peaked at #1.

Information taken from Brian Tarling's two books - "Vancouver's Charted Songs 1956 to 1978" and "RPM's Pop Charted Songs 1964 to 1990."
We are running in, when everybody else is running out.
User avatar
Firedog
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 139
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:13 pm
Location: North Delta, B.C.


Return to Music Notes

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 72 guests