pete.young Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32547474 Another of the great voices I remember from my childhood , at least he had a good innings and will be remembered as a great writer and singer for Stand By Me and many others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I saw him with The Average White Band at The Lyceum in London back in the dim and distant past, a great talent. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 What an incredible record Stand By Me is - the bass, the vocal, that string arrangement. First tune I (and many I guess) learned on the bass. From what I know he was one of the few that didn't get totally shafted, he did very well out of it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I don't know about shafted. . . . he split the royalties for Stand By Me 50/50 with the publishing company, then split his 50% with one of the Lieber/Stoller guys (can't remember which one) for coming up with an arrangement (he [i]was[/i] ripped off here, because arrangers usually got fees not royalties), then he split his 25% with a foundation to help disadvantaged black kids. It says a lot for the sales and plays of Stand By Me that he managed to live pretty well on his "share" of the royalties. As always, sad news. Ben E King was one of the first gigs I went to. He was playing a club in a scout hut in Cowley, near Uxbridge, backed by Tony Knight's Chessmen. What a great night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I saw him in the 80's with The Drifters - Johnny Moore was also back with them at the time. Very sad. It's an era which we are slowly losing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madshadows Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Sad news John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Horton Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Another of the greats have gone ....... But we are left with fantastic songs to remember him by Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 awesome talent.! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 Loved his voice. The album he made with The Average White Band, 'Benny and us' is one of my all time favourites, as well as all the early classics too. A sad loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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