Widely known by his stagename Ben E. King, Benjamin Earl Nelson is a soul singer from Harlem, New York who rose to fame as one of the lead singers of the R&B vocal group The Drifters. After releasing several hits with the Drifters, including "There Goes My Baby" and "This Magic Moment," he fashioned himself with a new, more memorable moniker and released his debut solo album Spanish Harlem, in 1961. The record spawned several tracks, such as the iconic ballad "Stand By Me," that have been critically and commercially lauded songs that shaped the rock and roll landscape. As British pop bands began to flood the music scene, King continued to churn up R&B albums well into the 2010s, solidifying his legacy as one of the most celebrated and lasting icons of soul and R&B.
