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Maurice Williams, Lead Singer Behind ‘Stay’ and Frontman of The Zodiacs, Passes Away at 86

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Maurice Williams, the voice behind the timeless doo-wop hit “Stay” and leader of Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, passed away on August 6 at the age of 86. The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame confirmed his death, with his former bandmate Ron Henderson revealing that Williams died in a Charlotte, N.C. hospital. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Born on April 26, 1938, in Lancaster, South Carolina, Maurice Williams showed a passion for music from a young age. He began singing in church at the age of six and later formed his first group, the Royal Charms, while in high school. The group went through several name changes and reconfigurations before solidifying as Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, a name that would soon become iconic in the world of doo-wop.

In 1957, the group achieved their first taste of success with the song “Little Darlin’,” which Williams wrote and recorded as a teenager. However, it was their 1960 release “Stay” that solidified their place in music history. At just one minute and 32 seconds long, “Stay” became the shortest song ever to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100, a record it still holds today. The track, inspired by a conversation Williams had with a high school sweetheart, has remained an enduring classic for generations.

Williams recalled the origins of “Stay” during a 2018 interview, explaining that the lyrics were directly drawn from a moment with his then-girlfriend. “This young lady I was going with was at my house one night, and her brother was supposed to pick her up at 10,” Williams shared. “When he arrived, I told her, ‘You can stay a little longer,’ but she insisted she had to go. The next morning, I turned that conversation into a song.”

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The track initially sat among other potential recordings until it caught the attention of a young listener. “I was at my girlfriend’s house playing tapes of songs I had written,” Williams recounted. “Her little sister, who was around 12, said, ‘Please do the song with the high voice in it.’ I knew she meant ‘Stay.’ I thought to myself, ‘She’s the age of record-buyers,’ and that moment changed everything. The rest is history, and I thank God for her.”

“Stay” reached new heights of popularity when it was featured in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. The movie’s soundtrack, which included the track, became a worldwide sensation, selling 32 million copies. The song’s inclusion in the film cemented its place in pop culture, introducing it to new generations of fans.

Maurice Williams’ contribution to music extends far beyond just a few hits; his work helped shape the doo-wop genre and left an indelible mark on American music history. His legacy continues to live on through the timeless melodies he created and the countless artists he inspired along the way.

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