Though Tragic, ‘Phil Spector’ Focus Brings Black Music History to Forefront

Ben. E. King & Aretha Franklin

Best known as the singer and co-writer of Top 10 hit “Stand by Me,” and a lead singer of the The Drifters, King had another hit in 1960 co-written by Spector called “Spanish Harlem.” It was later ranked No. 349 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” and was covered by Aretha Franklin in 1971, becoming a chart topper and earning the songstress gold status for sales of over a million.