Who Was Maurice Williams? Stay Singer And Frontman Of The Zodiacs Passes Away At 86

by

As a lifestyle expert reflecting on the life and career of Maurice Williams, I find his journey nothing short of remarkable. Born in Lancaster, South Carolina, he discovered his passion for music at the tender age of six, performing in church. His determination and talent led him to form the Royal Charms, which eventually transformed into the iconic doo-wop group, the Zodiacs.

Maurice Williams, the creator of the popular 1960 ballad Stay and lead vocalist for the doo-wop band the Zodiacs, passed away at the age of 86. This news was shared by the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame on August 6, 2024.

According to Ron Henderson, a past band member, the news about Williams’ passing was confirmed at a hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. However, the specific reason for his demise remains undisclosed, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.

Maurice Williams, hailing from Lancaster, South Carolina, which is located in the state of South Carolina, was born on the 26th of April, 1938. From an early age, he nurtured a deep love for music and started performing within church walls at the tender age of six, refining his vocal skills.

By the time he was in high school, Williams had already assembled his initial band, the Royal Charms. Over time, this band underwent multiple name transformations and personnel adjustments before ultimately making their mark in the music industry as the Zodiacs.

As a lifestyle expert reflecting on music history, I can tell you that my very first taste of triumph came in 1957 when a young talent named Williams released “Little Darlin’.” Written and performed by him as a teenager, this early success catapulted his career in the doo-wop scene. This hit served as the stepping stone for a promising future in music.

Three years following their initial triumph, Maurice Williams and his group, The Zodiacs, left a permanent imprint on music history when they released the hit single “Stay.” Penned by Williams about an enduring romance from his high school days, the song went on to achieve lasting success. “Stay” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and holds the record for being the shortest song ever to do so, with a duration of just one minute and 32 seconds.

The lyrics of the song were influenced by a personal conversation with his girlfriend in 2018. In an interview, Williams shared that the words were inspired by a discussion he had at home where his girlfriend’s brother was supposed to pick her up at 10 pm. He explained, “I told him he could stay a bit longer, but she said she needed to leave.”

Hey there! As a seasoned lifestyle enthusiast with years of creative exploration under my belt, I often find that inspiration can strike at the most unexpected moments. One morning, while sipping my coffee and pondering over the day ahead, I was struck by an idea for a song. Within mere minutes, I whipped up a quick demo, eager to see if it would resonate with others. I added it to my collection of potential tracks, hoping that one day it might be worthy enough to record.

Williams reminisced about being at his girlfriend’s home, where he played some of his own compositions. His girlfriend’s younger sister requested that he perform the song with the higher pitch. The late singer recognized that she was referring to ‘Stay’. He commented, “She was around 12 years old, and I thought, ‘She’s the age for buying records.’ And that marked a turning point… I owe it all to her.”

Grew more well-known following its appearance in the 1987 movie “Dirty Dancing” starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. The film’s soundtrack, featuring Stay, went on to sell an impressive 32 million copies globally, making it known to a fresh wave of admirers.

Read More

2024-08-19 09:53