Ben E. King: Legacy of the soul singer behind ‘Stand by Me’

American soul and R&B singer Ben E. King was born on September 28, 1938, in Henderson, North Carolina. He first gained prominence in the 1950s as a member of the group The Drifters, performing hits such as ‘There Goes My Baby’, ‘This Magic Moment’, and ‘Save the Last Dance for Me’.

Following his departure from The Drifters in 1960, King established a successful solo career. He is most widely recognized for his 1961 classic ‘Stand by Me’, a song that achieved global fame and remains a staple of popular music. His other notable solo works include ‘Spanish Harlem’ and ‘Don’t Play That Song (You Lied)’.

King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Drifters, and ‘Stand by Me’ was honored by the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012. He passed away on April 30, 2015, at the age of 76.