R&B and soul star Ben. E. King, best known for the 1961 ballad "Stand By Me," has died at age 76. The baritone singer passed away on Thursday, his rep told NBC News. No details were given. King was born Benjamin Earl Nelson on Sept. 28, 1938 in Henderson, North Carolina and grew up in New York City's Harlem neighborhood.
How did Ben E King die?
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with the Drifters passes away from natural causes Ben E. King, the legendary soul singer best known for his classic “Stand by Me,” died Thursday of natural causes. He was 76.
What was Ben E King famous for?
R&B and soul singer Ben E King, best known for the classic song Stand By Me, has died at the age of 76. King started his career in the late 1950s with The Drifters, singing hits including There Goes My Baby and Save The Last Dance For Me. After going solo, he hit the US top five with Stand By Me in 1961.
Is Ben E King a Hall of Famer?
Image copyright Image caption Ben E King received an award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012. R&B and soul singer Ben E King, best known for the classic song Stand By Me, has died at the age of 76.
How old is Benjamin King?
Benjamin Earl King ( né Nelson; September 28, 1938 – April 30, 2015) was an American soul and R&B singer and record producer.
What was Ben E King known for?
R&B and soul singer Ben E King, best known for the classic song Stand By Me, has died at the age of 76. King started his career in the late 1950s with The Drifters, singing hits including There Goes My Baby and Save The Last Dance For Me. After going solo, he hit the US top five with Stand By Me in 1961.
Was Ben E King married?
Betty KingBen E. King / Spouse (m. 1964–2015)He is survived by his mother, Jenny Nelson; his wife, Betty King; two daughters, Terris Cannon and Angela Matos; a son, Benjamin Jr.; four sisters, Joyce Powell, Gladys Johnson, Deborah Nelson and Stacy Nelson; three brothers, Jeffrey, Calvin and Billy; and six grandchildren.
Is Ben E King and BB King the same person?
King with the Blues artist known as BB King. Ben E. King, the artist best known for his his song, “Stand By Me” died from natural causes on Thursday. He was 76-years-old.
When was Ben E King born?
September 28, 1938Ben E. King / Date of birthBorn Benjamin Earl Nelson on September 28, 1938 in Henderson, North Carolina, he and his family moved to Harlem, New York when he was nine years old.
When did Ben E King pass away?
April 30, 2015Ben E. King / Date of death
How much is the song Stand By Me worth?
"Stand By Me" Royalties: Ben's most famous song "Stand by Me", which was co-written by Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber, is one of the most-valuable songs ever produced....Ben E. King Net Worth.Net Worth:$30 MillionProfession:Singer, Record producer, Songwriter, MusicianNationality:United States of America2 more rows
Is B.B. King dead?
May 14, 2015B.B. King / Date of death
Where was B.B. King buried?
B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center - B.B. King grave, Indianola, MSB.B. King / Place of burialKing was buried May 30 outside the museum in Indianola, the Delta cotton country town where he first sang and played guitar on street corners as a young man. For months, the gravesite was adorned with just a wreath and a chain-link fence.
Who is the King of blues music?
B. B. KingB. B. King is the universally acknowledged king of the Blues today. While young white guitar players rave about Clapton and Bloomfield, in turn, (as well as Buddy Guy and Albert King) they all praise the master, B. B. King. B. B. King is near fifty and he has paid his dues.
Who wrote Stand by Me?
Ben E. KingMike StollerJerry LeiberStand by Me/Lyricists
How many of the original Drifters are still alive?
Pinkney, a World War Two veteran and former pitcher for the New York Blue Sox of the Negro Baseball League, was the only surviving member of the original lineup of the group that formed in 1953.
Who wrote Save the Last Dance for Me song?
Mort ShumanDoc PomusSave the Last Dance for Me/Lyricists
How many of the original Drifters are still alive?
Pinkney, a World War Two veteran and former pitcher for the New York Blue Sox of the Negro Baseball League, was the only surviving member of the original lineup of the group that formed in 1953.
Was Ben E King in a group?
The Drifters1958 – 1985The Soul ClanBen E. King/Music groups
How many of the Drifters are original?
Over 65 years and several eras of Drifters, there have been 60 different vocalists including several splinter groups called the Drifters. The “original” group consisted of Clyde McPhatter, Gerhart Thrasher, Andrew Thrasher, Bill Pickney, and Jimmy Oliver.
Who is Betty King?
Betty King is the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva from 2010 to 2013. King served as the U.S. Representative to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
When did King join the Five Crowns?
In 1958 , King (still using his birth name) joined a doo-wop group called the Five Crowns. Later that year, the Drifters’ manager George Treadwell fired the members of the original Drifters, and replaced them with the members of the Five Crowns.
When did the Drifters break up?
King returned to the Drifters in late 1982 in England, and to with them until the group’s break-up and reorganization in 1986. From 1983 until the band’s break-up, the other members of this incarnation of the Drifters were Johnny Moore, Joe Blunt , and Clyde Brown.
Who is the DJ that said Ben E King has passed away?
BBC Radio 2 DJ Bob Harris said on Twitter: "So sad to hear that Ben E King has passed away. More than almost anyone, he fired and inspired my love of music. #StandByMe #ThereGoesMyBaby."
How many songs did Ben E King have?
image copyright. Getty Images. image caption. Ben E King had six songs in the US Billboard top 40 between 1961 and 1975.
Who turned down Stand By Me?
In 2011, King explained how The Drifters turned down Stand By Me. Fellow musician Gary US Bonds wrote on Facebook that King was "one of the sweetest, gentlest and gifted souls that I have had the privilege of knowing and calling my friend for more than 50 years".
How old was Ben Nelson when he joined the Five Crowns?
In 1956, 18 year-old Ben joined another doo-wop band called the Five Crowns after being spotted by local talent manager Lover Patterson. As long as it didn’t interfere with helping at the restaurant, Ben Nelson was free to join in and have fun.
When did Ben Nelson quit Drifters?
In 1960 , Ben Nelson approached Treadwell about a salary increase and fairer disbursement of royalties. When negotiations stalled, Nelson quit the Drifters and acquired his stage name, Ben E. King, the “King” coming from the name of his favorite uncle, and began a new solo career.