00:00 Ben E. King born in Henderson, NC; father moved the family to New York for restaurant business; grew up in Harlem; King grew up singing with street corner a Capella groups; du wop groups, The Five Crowns; 1959 the band went to the Apollo theater opening for the original Drifters and Ray Charles and then took over and became the new Drifters 4:02 1st major record deal was in 1959 for a song called “There Goes My Baby” recorded with the Drifters; left the Drifters; Atlantic records 05:21 Demonstration: Allison Miner plays recording of “Young Boy Blues” written by Phil Spector and Doc Pomus; Ben E. King sings OVER HIS OWN VOICE; King realized later in his career he was associated with great writers writing specifically for his voice; John Lennon listed King as one of his favorite vocalists 08:10 Discusses “Save the Last Dance for Me” “This Magic Moment” 08:50 Demonstration: Allison Miner plays recording of “Amore, My Love” 10:20 King idolized and respected Brook Benton and Sam Cooke and tried to emulate them on that track; talks about Harlem, the Apollo; Amateur show; was with Atlantic for many years; Omit Erdogan and Betty Nelson (King’s wife) wrote a song together “Don’t Play that Song” 13:10 Demonstration: “Don’t Play that Song” 16:44 Demonstration: “Spanish Harlem” 18:44 Demonstration: “Stand By Me” From the record “Live at the Apollo” 22:31 The recording of “Stand By Me” was done Live at the Apollo in ‘62 23:19 The story behind “I Who Have Nothing”: King was in Italy on a tour with manager, Al Wow 26:14 King’s favorite female singer: Aretha Franklin; favorite male vocalist: Sam Cooke or Brook Benton 31:28 Doc Green (one of the original members of the first four) passed away recently; Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller wanted to do something different with the new set of Drifters, 34:02 Interview ends
