Maurice Williams, the lead singer of Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs and the songwriter behind their 1960 hit “Stay,” died on August 6, according to an announcement from the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. He was 86.
Born on April 26, 1938 in Lancaster, SC, Williams was a prominent figure in the American doo-wop scene of the second half of the 20th century. He started his musical journey early and formed his first group, the Royal Charms, during high school. This group would eventually become Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs.
Williams is best known for the 1960 hit “Stay,” which he originally wrote and performed with The Zodiacs as a teenager. The song became an instant classic, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. At just 1 minute and 36 seconds, it remains the shortest song to ever top the charts.
The song’s enduring appeal led to its inclusion in films such as ‘Dirty Dancing’. The Hollies and the Four Seasons covered the song early on and it remains a favorite – best known for when Jackson Browne sang it live for his 1977 album ‘Running On Empty’. “Stay” was also performed by Browne, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and others at the 1979 No Nukes concert at Madison Square Garden.
“It took me about thirty minutes to write ‘Stay,’ and then I threw it away,” he later told ClassicsBands.com. “We were looking for songs to record as Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs. I was at my friend’s house playing the tape of songs I had written when her sister said, “Please do the song with the high voice in it.” I knew she meant ‘Stay’. She was about twelve years old and I said to myself, ‘She’s of record buying age,’ and the rest is history. I thank God for her.”
After the song’s massive success, Williams would continue to tour and perform, keeping the spirit of doo-wop alive. Although he never repeated the massive success of ‘Stay’, he remained a beloved figure in the genre.
He settled in Charlotte, N.C., in the mid-1960s, and in 2010 he was elected to the state’s Hall of Fame. However, he often returned to Lancaster, performing at local events and mentoring young musicians.
Williams is survived by his wife Emily.
