Singer who started his career with The Drifters in the late 1950s was best known for hit Stand By Me
Ben E King hit the charts with Stand By Me in 1961. Photograph: Mephisto/REX Shutterstock
Ben E King, the singer best known for the hit Stand By Me, has died aged 76.
King started his career in the late 1950s with The Drifters, singing on hits including There Goes My Baby and Save The Last Dance For Me.
After going solo, he hit the US top five with Stand By Me in 1961.
The track returned to the charts in the 1980s, reaching No 1 in the UK when the song was used as the theme of the coming-of-age film of the same name starring River Phoenix and Corey Feldman.
The song entered the US Billboard 100 nine times over the years – King’s version did so twice while covers by artists like John Lennon and Spyder Turner featured seven times.
King’s publicist, Phil Brown, confirmed the singer’s death: “He passed away yesterday from natural causes.”
Fellow singer Gary US Bonds paid tribute on Facebook, saying: “With an extremely heavy heart, I must say goodbye to one of the sweetest, gentlest and gifted souls that I have had the privilege of knowing and calling my friend for more than 50 years - Mr Ben E King.
“Speaking for myself, my family & my Roadhouse Rockers family, I can tell you that Ben E will be missed more than words can say. Our sincere condolences go out to Betty and the entire family. Thank you Ben E for your friendship and the wonderful legacy you leave behind.”
Born Benjamin Earl Nelson in North Carolina, he moved to New York as a child and got involved in the burgeoning doo wop scene.
He scored hits including Save The Last Dance For Me and There Goes My Baby with The Drifters before quitting the group in 1960 to go solo.
His first two singles, Spanish Harlem and Stand By Me, were huge hits and more followed but Stand By Me only topped the UK charts in 1987 after it featured in an advert for Levis jeans.
