Ben. E. KingKesi Asher, Staff Reporter
BORN IN Henderson, North Carolina, on September 28, 1938, a time when racism was rampant, Ben Earl King has stood by his music as strongly as his fans have stood by him. On the advice of his manager he used his middle initial, as it was a catchier stage name, and last week the beloved singer Ben E. King celebrated his 67th birthday with much to give thanks for - a lovely wife, two daughters, one son, six grandchildren, a legacy of songs and a still growing fan base.
It was a few days after his performance at an 'Evening on the Harbour' at the Morgan's Harbour Hotel, Port Royal, along with Marcia Griffiths, Ken Boothe, the Fabulous Five Incorporated Band and Ernie Smith.
SINGING GOSPEL
Ben started singing gospel on his church choir when he was eight years old, though he often heard country music. He talks of times growing up when the lights had to be out by 10:00 p.m. in order to deter the Ku Klux Klan from breaking in and making trouble. "In the South there was a lot of racism; just being there was bad. At that time I had to accept it because that was how it was. As a child people always told you to be careful and we weren't aware that in other parts it wasn't like that," he reflected.
HARLEM
He moved to Harlem, New York, in 1950, where he attended James Fennimore Cooper Junior High and Seaward Park High schools. In New York he had a chance to enjoy more freedom and listen to different kinds of music, such as R&B, Latin and Caribbean music. He always liked the ballads and later utilised the art in his music. Two of his most listened to artistes were Billy Epstine and Nat King Cole, whom he called the "balladeas." This is the type of music that mostly influenced his songs.
At about 18 or 19 he recorded his first song, There Goes My Baby, with Atlantic Records as a member of The Drifters. When he first heard the song on the radio "it was one of those strange experiences. I was walking down the street with my friend when I heard it and he screamed more than me. It's one of those moments that's hard to explain."
He spent two and a half years with The Drifters and following some salary disputes between group and manager he spoke out for his rights and went solo. He remained with Atlantic Records, and did his first album, Spanish Harlem, in 1960-1961. "It was strange being alone. The company was happy and the fans accepted me as a solo artiste," King said.
The challenge he faced as a solo artiste was just to stay in the business. He listened to singers like Sam Cooke and Brook Benton to assess songs he had written. In addition, Duke Ellington, Count Bassie and Ella Fitzgerald were his role models and he used them as the inspiration to succeed in his career. Ben E. King explained that all his songs are connected with love. However, he has also done some "uptempo" songs such as Supernatural Thing, Star in the Ghetto and Music Trance.
His favourite collaboration was with Jerry Leber and Mike Stoller on the album Stand By Me.
MUSIC CHANGES
He believes that music changes according to the way people are. He has lived through punk rock and disco and is now seeing rap and hip hop. "It's always a welcome change," he said. However, King believes that today's music needs more singers. "I think Usher is very talented, a very good singer. He does work that appeals to a younger audience; now he has to do songs that appeal to a more mature audience. When you make music that appeals to everybody, then you've hit the mark," he commented. Other singers he admires include Brian McKnight and Gerald Levert.
King believes that his type of music has grown in popularity as there are more outlets. It is used commercially, in music and by other artistes. He also thinks that there will always be a future for his music, as the songs are constantly being reproduced by newer artistes, which extends the life of the music. "All music has a future. Music isn't thrown away. It lives somewhere inside somebody's head. The reproduction of old songs is a good thing and most of the reproductions are complementary," said King.
He enjoys his international tours, which have included Europe and Japan, and explains that every tour is the best because "you're there for the same purpose; you're there because someone wants to see you. It's quite a compliment to the artiste."
STRIVE TO BE RENOWN
King remarks that every artiste should strive to be renowned wherever they go, even when they are not on the charts currently. He cites Ray Charles and Chuck Berry as two other people who have accomplished that feat. "That's the stage where most entertainers must reach. It's easy when you're hot on the charts, but when you can be hot and not on the charts, that's a great achievement," commented King.
Ben E. King has performed in orchestra symphonies and has grown attached to the art. He admires pieces by Beethoven and Bach. "It's a kind of music that makes you sit back. It calms you; it doesn't put you in a frenzy," he said.
He told The Sunday Gleaner that had he not been a singer, he would have proudly joined his father in cooking 'soul food' in the restaurant business. In his spare time he writes songs, plays golf, takes walks, spends time with his family and just takes it easy.
He enjoyed his stay in Jamaica and wished that it was longer. "I love coming here. The people have fallen in love with my songs, they start singing the song before I even open my mouth," said King. His only challenge was the heat. "I don't know how you guys breathe down here. I'm on stage singing and I'm like 'where's the air?' The other artistes from Jamaica are used to it," he said.
In February to March next year he will release his new album, I've Been Around. It will feature mostly new songs, a couple older songs and a few ballads. "It's been a while; it's been a long time coming," he said.
