Thursday, October 12, 2006

Yahoo LAUNCHCAST song of the day


Artist:Ben E. King

Song:Spanish Harlem

Album:Anthology





Ben E. King was born Benjamin Earl Nelson in 1938 in Henderson, NC. His family moved to New York City in 1947. He was a member of the doo wop group The Five Crowns in 1958 when Drifters manager George Treadwell fired the group and The Five Crowns assumed the Drifters name. That's the music business for you. Nelson sang lead on the Drifters hit There Goes My Baby (a song he co-wrote) but left he Drifters over money in 1960. He took the name Ben E. King and the Jerry Lieber/Phil Spector song Spanish Harlem was his first top ten hit in 1961. He had several hits including the classic Stand By Me. The 2CD Anthology is the definitive Ben E. King collection. King continued to record for Atco/Atlantic in the 70s but was dropped in 1981. He continues to tour and record today. He had a new record out this year. Ben E. King is a great singer and his music still holds up very well today.

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