Stand By Me singer Ben E King dies at 76Soul and R&B singer best known for 1961 hit Stand By Me dies of natural causes, publicist confirms
Ben E King died of natural causes aged 76 Photo: REX FEATURES
Hannah Furness By Hannah Furness, Arts correspondent2:22PM BST 01 May 2015
Ben E King, the soul and R&B singer best known for the classic song Stand By Me, has died aged 76.
His publicist confirmed to The Telegraph that he died of natural causes on Thursday.
The singer, loved around the world for the 1961 hit, rose to fame in the late 1950 with The Drifters, with songs including There Goes My Baby and Save The Last Dance For Me.
The R&B singer went on to further success with Spanish Harlem, I (Who Have Nothing), and Don't Play That Song (You Lied).
King had not been publicly reported to have been suffering illness in recent years, and completed a tour in the UK in 2013. He also played concerts in the US last year.
In an interview in 2013, he spoke of his fans' adoration for Stand By Me and pledged to perform it for the rest of his life to please crowds.
"I'm so proud it has stood the test of time," he said.
"I'd never have dreamed back in the day that I'd have such an amazing career. I always felt I never chose music, it chose me. From working in my father's restaurant in New York to this has all been by chance. I'm so lucky - it's all I've ever wanted to do."