Maurice Williams, Lead Singer of the Zodiacs, Dies at 86
Content Warning: The following article mentions the passing of an individual.
Maurice Williams, the talented singer and songwriter known for the classic 1960 ballad “Stay” and as the frontman of the doo-wop group the Zodiacs, passed away at the age of 86. The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame confirmed his death on August 6, 2024.
A close friend and former bandmate, Ron Henderson, verified Williams’ passing in a Charlotte, North Carolina hospital. The cause of death remains undisclosed, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
Born on April 26, 1938, in Lancaster, South Carolina, Maurice Williams developed a deep love for music at a young age. He began showcasing his vocal talents by singing in church at just six years old.
During his high school years, Williams established his first musical group, the Royal Charms, which later evolved into the Zodiacs after undergoing name and lineup changes. The group eventually made a name for themselves in the music industry.
In 1957, the group’s success took off with Williams’ own song “Little Darlin'”, marking the beginning of a promising career in the doo-wop genre.
Three years after their initial triumph, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs made history with the release of “Stay”. The song, inspired by a teenage romance, rose to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, setting a record as the shortest song to achieve this feat at just one minute and 32 seconds.
“Stay” was born from a personal experience. In a 2018 interview, Williams shared that the lyrics were inspired by a conversation with his girlfriend at the time. The song gained further recognition when it was featured in the 1987 movie Dirty Dancing, propelling its popularity to a new audience.
Reflecting on the creation of “Stay”, Williams expressed gratitude towards a young listener who identified the song’s potential. He credited her with sparking the song’s success and introducing it to a wider audience.
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