Singer Ben E. King, known for “Stand By Me”, dies at 76

Singer Ben King, best known for the sweet soulful anthem “Stand By Me,” has died Thursday at age 76, his publicist confirmed to the BBC. It is reported that King died of natural causes.

Ben King, A Singing Legend

Born Benjamin Earl Nelson, King started his career in the late 1950s with The Drifters, singing 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.

After a pay dispute with his group, King decided to go solo and changed his moniker to the one we know today.

His first solo hit was “Spanish Harlem” in 1960, followed by “Stand By Me,” which hit the Top 5 on U.S. charts in 1961.

“Stand By Me” has been covered by everyone from musical legend John Lennon to Maurice White of Earth Wind and Fire. It is a seemingly an eternal song that will live on for generations.

“Stand by Me,” “Spanish Harlem,” and “There Goes My Baby” were all honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as three of the Top 500 songs That Shaped Rock and Roll, as well as by the Grammy Foundation, reports the BBC.