Rhythm and Blues Singer Maurice Williams, Known for Hit Song "Stay," Passes Away at 86

Renowned rhythm and blues singer and composer Maurice Williams, famous for his hit single "Stay" with his backing group the Zodiacs, has sadly passed away at the age of 86. The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame announced Williams' death on August 6, although no further details were immediately provided.

Williams, a talented writer and performer from a young age, began his journey in the music industry with various harmony groups. In 1960, he joined forces with the Zodiacs for a studio session that would forever shape his legacy. It was during this session that they unexpectedly created music history with their recording of the classic ballad "Stay," a song Williams had written as a teenager years earlier.

With the powerful chants of "Stay!" echoing in the background, Williams took the lead, expressing a plea to an unnamed girl. Halfway through the song, he handed over the reins to Shane Gaston, whose unforgettable falsetto shout, "OH, WON'T YOU STAY, JUST A LITTLE BIT LONGER!" captivated audiences worldwide.

Despite its short duration of barely over 1 minute and 30 seconds, "Stay" quickly skyrocketed to the top of the charts, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart in 1960. This chart-topping success became the group's only major hit, leaving an indelible mark on the rock era.

The inspiration behind "Stay" stemmed from Williams' teenage crush on Mary Shropshire. Reflecting on the song's origins, Williams once shared, "(Mary) was the one I was trying to get to stay a little longer. Of course, she couldn't."

Although "Stay" brought immense success, Williams' career was tinged with disappointments. He wrote another falsetto showcase titled "Little Darlin'" and recorded it in 1957 with the Gladiolas. Unfortunately, the song was claimed by a white group, the Diamonds, and enjoyed widespread popularity. In 1965, Williams and the Zodiacs released a promising ballad called "May I," but their record label, Vee-Jay, went bankrupt just as the song was gaining momentum. "May I" later became a hit for another white group, Bill Deal & the Rhondels.

In the years that followed, Williams became a familiar face on oldies tours and received numerous tributes. He released albums like "Let This Night Last" and "Back to Basics" and settled in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the mid-1960s. In 2010, he was honored by being voted into the state's Hall of Fame. Williams is survived by his wife, Emily.

Born in Lancaster, South Carolina, Williams began his musical journey by singing with his family in church. As a teenager, he formed a gospel group known as the Junior Harmonizers, which transitioned into the Royal Charms as they ventured into secular music. Eventually, they became the Zodiacs, named after a Ford car they used while on the road.

The creation of "Stay" was a serendipitous event in Williams' life. He described how the song came to be, stating, "It took me about thirty minutes to write 'Stay,' then I threw it away. We were looking for songs to record as Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs. I was playing the tape of songs I had written at my girlfriend's house when her little sister said, 'Please do the song with the high voice in it.' I knew she meant 'Stay.' She was about 12 years old, and I thought to myself, 'She's the age of record-buying,' and the rest is history. I thank God for her."

Maurice Williams' musical contributions and the timeless allure of "Stay" will forever be remembered in the world of rhythm and blues and the broader music industry. His unique talent and heartfelt melodies will continue to inspire new generations of musicians and fans alike.