London May 28 (IANS) Songwriter Mike Stoller who is the only living member of the trio that co-wrote "Stand by me" feels sad that neither Jerry Leiber nor Ben E. King (late co-writers) were around to experience the appreciation for the song at the royal wedding of former actress Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
Stoller was 3 000 miles away from London where the track was sung by the London-based Karen Gibson-led Kingdom Choir at Windsor Castle s St. George s Chapel reports variety.com.
The May 19 performance of the 1961 classic was the only pop song to be part of the Royal procession reportedly a personal request from Markle after Prince Charles suggested the gospel troupe be invited.
On the partnership that resulted in "Stand by me" Stoller said: "Jerry and I were writing blues songs almost exclusively for black performers at the time. The song has resonance in the African-American community not just because of its gospel origin but it was also involved with the civil rights movement.
"That s something all the three of us were very proud of. I m just sad neither Jerry nor Ben were around to experience the tremendous appreciation for the song."
Stoller 85 is still working overseeing a preview of his jukebox musical "Smokey Joe s cafe".
Mirroring the mix of its creators - Stoller and Jerry Leiber were a pair of Jewish songwriters while Ben E. King was an African-American vocalist and a former member of the band Drifters - "Stand by me" represented a historic acknowledgement of its origins with the introduction of the bi-racial Markle into the royal family.

--IANS ks/nn/bg