Ben E. King - Stand By Me

Ben E. King (Deceased) was an American soul and R&B singer best known for his powerful voice and the enduring classic "Stand by Me." Born Benjamin Earl Nelson on September 28, 1938, in Henderson, North Carolina, King first gained national fame as a member of The Drifters. With the group, he sang lead on major hits including "There Goes My Baby," "Save the Last Dance for Me," and "This Magic Moment." King launched a successful solo career in the early 1960s and recorded "Stand by Me" in 1961. The song became his signature recording and later reached new generations through the 1986 film "Stand by Me." His other solo hits included "Spanish Harlem," "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)," and "I (Who Have Nothing)." King's recordings helped define the sound of early soul music, blending rhythm and blues, pop, and gospel influences. His distinctive vocal style influenced generations of singers and musicians. Ben E. King died on April 30, 2015, at age 76. His association with The Drifters, "Stand by Me," classic soul, R&B, and 1960s popular music makes his autograph especially appealing to collectors of music memorabilia and vintage entertainment autographs.