This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Artist News Obituaries
Ben E King 1938-2015
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 5 May 2015
R&B and soul singer Ben E King died on Friday, his booking agent Randy Irwin confirmed to CNN. He was 76.
Born Benjamin Earl Nelson in 1938, his family moved from North Carolina to New York when he was nine. At 20, having been in a number of groups already, he became a member of The Drifters, when manager George Treadwell fired the original members (who had been performing under the name since 1953).
With Nelson re-named Ben E King, the new line-up began a run of hits the following year in 1959 with ‘There Goes My Baby’, which King co-wrote. He also sang lead on several other hits, but due to a contract dispute between Treadwell and King’s manager Lover Patterson only ever appeared on thirteen songs by the group and rarely performed with them. King then left the group to begin a solo career in 1960.
His first solo single ‘Spanish Harlem’, written by Phil Spector, was released in 1961 and was a hit, but it was the second, ‘Stand By Me’, co-written by King, which became the song he was best known for. He continued to have consistent hits throughout the early 60s, though success became more sporadic after this time.
Both his original recordings and covers of his songs remained popular throughout his life though. And he continued to record and perform, his last shows in the US taking place last year, despite health problems.
King is survived by his wife, Betty Nelson, and their three children.