Ben E. King delivered the ultimate feelgood cut of “Stand By Me” with none other than Eric Clapton and Phil Collins! You know you’re cooking when you’ve got rock royalty like that lining up to be in your backing band. It was 1987, and King’s ’61 hit had just roared back into the UK charts at number one after its feature in the film of the same name. The energy and love on stage that night feels amazing to watch.
Clapton gave King an introduction to remember, saying “I’m going to introduce someone to you now who is one of the greatest singers in the world, who sang what I consider to be the greatest love song ever written.” Throughout the song, Collins laid down a slithering groove with his signature snare crack, while Clapton dropped a funky, loose solo at the three-minute mark. The way King embraces Clapton and they share a smile before he takes the solo is a special moment.
The performance arrived right in the middle of a remarkable chart renaissance for King. Earlier that year, more than a quarter-century after its 1961 debut, “Stand By Me” surged to number one on the UK singles chart for three straight weeks. Bolstered by Rob Reiner’s hit coming-of-age film and a memorable Levi’s commercial, the classic found an entirely new generation of listeners. Stepping in front of a roaring Wembley crowd, King proved his rich, soulful voice had lost none of its cozy warmth.
“Stand By Me” was written by King and songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Drawing inspiration from gospel traditions and spirituals, the track broke out with an unmistakable bassline and an openhearted message about loyalty and friendship. By the time King performed it at Wembley, the track had evolved from an early soul standard into an global anthem, eventually earning recognition in the National Recording Registry. For another live take on the classic from that era, this clip captures Ben E. King performing “Stand By Me” backed by the band Juke in 1987.
On the King’s Trust Music channel, the clip has racked up nearly six million views. Viewers declared the lineup for the song the “dream team”, and added comments such as “What a great performance!!! What pleasure to see Phil, Eric and Ben in this masterful and timeless song” and “I just love this performance and Eric looked so happy.”
The concert was organised for the Prince’s Trust, a charity created founded in 1976 by the man now known as King Charles III to help young people build their futures. While all-star charity jams can sometimes feel disjointed, this performance felt purposeful and deeply joyful. King would share the song with other legends throughout his career, including at a famous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame jam the following year. Yet this Wembley moment captures him at an unbeatable peak, celebrated by rock icons who knew they were in the presence of greatness.