366Art | Ben E. King

Today is the birthday of Ben E. King, an American soul and R&B singer and songwriter. He is remembered worldwide for his iconic hit "Stand by Me." The edit above and his portrait on the musical birthday calendars/reference works below were made by me, Frieke.

Ben E. King was born as Benjamin Earl Nelson on September 28, 1938, in Henderson, North Carolina. King moved with his family at a young age to Harlem, New York City. His musical career began in the late 1950s when he joined a doo-wop group called The Five Crowns. His big breakthrough came when this group was transformed into The Drifters in 1958, one of the most influential and successful R&B groups of that time. In 1959, The Drifters, with King as the lead singer, scored several major hits, including There Goes My Baby (1959), Save the Last Dance for Me (1960), a worldwide hit and a classic that topped the charts. This Magic Moment and I Count the Tears were other successes from that period. King had a significant impact on the sound of the group.

In 1960, Ben E. King left The Drifters and began a solo career. His first solo hit was Spanish Harlem (1961), written by Jerry Leiber and Phil Spector. However, the absolute highlight of his solo career came with the release of Stand by Me in 1961. This song, co-written by King himself, reached the top of the charts and is one of the most played and covered songs in music history. The song became popular again when it was used in the 1986 film of the same name.

King's music was strongly influenced by his gospel background, which was evident in his voice and the emotional weight in his songs. His mix of soul, R&B, and pop gave him a unique place in the music world. Although King never had another hit that matched the success of "Stand by Me," he continued to perform and release music well into the 1990s. In 1998, King founded the Stand By Me Foundation. The foundation was focused on supporting disadvantaged youth, with an emphasis on education and music programs. King's personal experiences and his desire to give back to the community were the motivation behind the foundation’s creation.

Ben E. King was married to Betty Nelson, and they remained together throughout their lives. The couple married in 1964 and stayed married for over 50 years, until King's death in 2015. The pair had three children. Betty played an important role in King’s life, often supporting him behind the scenes. Despite his fame, King was devoted to his family and, according to those who knew him, was a warm and humble man. Much of King’s private life was dedicated to helping others.

In the years before his death, King faced some health issues, but he continued to perform until shortly before his passing. He died on April 30, 2015, at the age of 76 in Hackensack, New Jersey, due to complications from heart problems.