Sonny And Cher Vs Ben E King Essay

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Ben E. King vs. Sonny & Cher in the 60s During the 1960s, America was muddled. Between the war in Vietnam, the tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, and to add to it the Civil Rights Movement. There is no surprise the people of the world turned to music to escape, express political views, and to be heard. Three artists in particular changed the world by their music, Sonny & Cher, and Ben. E King. However, these three singers belonged to two different genres of music, the music of Ben E. King was rhythm and blues with hints of pop, where as Sonny & Cher were pop and pop rock music. Another difference is between the three is the audience they pertained to. Ben E.King became popular among African Americans during the hardships …show more content…

King was born on September 28, 1938 in North Carolina. Soon his family would later move to Harlem, New York. In 1958, King joined The Drifters, King gained success as one of the lead singers and a co-songwriter. However, King went solo after a few years. Ben E. King released the popular song “Stand by Me” in 1961. This song dominated the charts, “The No. 1 R&B track, again co-written by King, relied on a pointed bass line and ethereal, tender vocals, reaching the Top 5 on the pop charts as well.”(Clarence 5). With King’s vocals and lyrics, this song appealed to both genres and brought together two different music …show more content…

King and Sonny & Cher become so popular because the people wanted to be heard and they were, through music. Sonny & Cher arose from Los Angeles, California. They were soon married and the music they recorded was rock and pop tunes. “Sonny & Cher proved one of the magical musical combinations of the mid-'60s and one of the better rock-influenced MOR acts.” (Eder 1). Eder saying that the duo’s music was cheery and put the people of the U.S. in a joyful mood and sort of had a magical esense. There being another difference between Ben E. King and Sonny & Cher, one was a solo and the other was a pop duo. Not to mention, all three originated in different parts of the United State. Ben E. King in North Carolina and Sonny & Cher in