Singer Ben E. King 1938-2015 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 05-01-2015, 10:41 AM

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R&B legend Ben E. King, best known for his hit song "Stand By Me," died Thursday, his publicist told NBC News. He was 76.

King, whose real name was Benjamin Earl Nelson, had a string of hits that cracked the Billboard Top 40 in the 1960s and 1970s. But none were as popular as "Stand By Me," which was voted one of the Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Just last month, the 1961 track was among 25 recordings selected for preservation by the Library of Congress in its national registry.

King's publicist, Phil Brown, confirmed that he had died, but did not immediately provide any other details.

King was born in Henderson, North Carolina, on Sept. 28, 1938, and moved to Harlem when he was nine years old. He joined a doo-wop group in 1958 that eventually came to be known as The Drifters. They scored a number of successful R&B singles.

In 1960, after a contract dispute. he left the group and assumed his stage name out on his own.

"Stand By Me," King's second single during his solo career, was re-issued in 1986 after it was used as the theme song to the movie of the same name.

On his own and with the Drifters, King had five number-one hits: "There Goes My Baby," "Save The Last Dance For Me," "Stand By Me," "Supernatural Thing," and the 1986 re-issue of "Stand By Me," according to his website. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a Drifter.

R&B singer and songwriter Gary U.S. Bonds posted a tribute to King on his Facebook page, thanking King for "the wonderful legacy" he leaves behind.

"With an extremely heavy heart, I must say goodbye to 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 - Mr. Ben E. King," he wrote. "I can tell you that Ben E. will be missed more than words can say."

Penny Lane · 05-01-2015, 02:04 PM

So sorry to hear this. "Stand By Me" is a classic. RIP. Mr. King

Marvo301 · 05-01-2015, 02:14 PM

Ben E. King

AB · 05-01-2015, 04:02 PM

Rest in peace.

MrCleveland · 05-02-2015, 07:48 PM

Ben E. King will be missed...and now another King is on death row...B.B. King...

Penny Lane · 05-02-2015, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

Ben E. King will be missed...and now another King is on death row...B.B. King...

Sorry to hear that BB King is so bad off. I am a huge fan of his. I hope his last days aren't too painful.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/01/us/bb-...-hospice-care/

wickedmountain · 05-03-2015, 11:28 PM

R.I.P.

05-01-2015, 10:41 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	Singer Ben E. King 1938-2015 Link R&B legend Ben E. King, best known for his hit song "Stand By Me," died Thursday, his publicist told NBC News. He was 76. King, whose real name was Benjamin Earl Nelson, had a string of hits that cracked the Billboard Top 40 in the 1960s and 1970s. But none were as popular as "Stand By Me," which was voted one of the Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America. Just last month, the 1961 track was among 25 recordings selected for preservation by the Library of Congress in its national registry. King's publicist, Phil Brown, confirmed that he had died, but did not immediately provide any other details. King was born in Henderson, North Carolina, on Sept. 28, 1938, and moved to Harlem when he was nine years old. He joined a doo-wop group in 1958 that eventually came to be known as The Drifters. They scored a number of successful R&B singles. In 1960, after a contract dispute. he left the group and assumed his stage name out on his own. "Stand By Me," King's second single during his solo career, was re-issued in 1986 after it was used as the theme song to the movie of the same name. On his own and with the Drifters, King had five number-one hits: "There Goes My Baby," "Save The Last Dance For Me," "Stand By Me," "Supernatural Thing," and the 1986 re-issue of "Stand By Me," according to his website. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a Drifter. R&B singer and songwriter Gary U.S. Bonds posted a tribute to King on his Facebook page, thanking King for "the wonderful legacy" he leaves behind. "With an extremely heavy heart, I must say goodbye to 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 - Mr. Ben E. King," he wrote. "I can tell you that Ben E. will be missed more than words can say."
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads. Last edited by Zoneboy; 05-01-2015 at 11:15 AM.

05-01-2015, 02:04 PM	#2
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,027	So sorry to hear this. "Stand By Me" is a classic. RIP. Mr. King Attached Images
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

05-01-2015, 02:14 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Ben E. King
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-02-2015, 07:48 PM	#5
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,222	Ben E. King will be missed...and now another King is on death row...B.B. King...
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

05-01-2015, 04:02 PM	#4
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	Rest in peace.

05-03-2015, 11:28 PM	#7
wickedmountain Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 15, 2015 Posts: 25	R.I.P.