Benjamin Earl King (September 28, 1938 – April 30, 2015) was a celebrated American soul and R and B singer and songwriter. He first gained fame as a lead vocalist with the Drifters, contributing to classics like There Goes My Baby, This Magic Moment, and Save the Last Dance for Me. Launching a successful solo career, King is best known for Stand by Me, which became a timeless hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom, and is featured on the RIAA list of Songs of the Century. Other notable songs include Spanish Harlem, Don't Play That Song (You Lied), and Supernatural Thing. Throughout his career, King's music has been widely covered and recognized for its influence, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a Drifter, as well as honored by the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.