Ben E. King, the R&B singer behind one of the greatest slow jams of all time, “Stand By Me, has died. He was 76 years old.
According to his publicist, the singer died of natural causes.
King began his career in the 1950s with The Drifters before going solo a few years later. Some of his hits with The Drifters include Save The Last Dance For Me and This Magic Moment.
In 1961, he had his big hit, Stand By Me. The track had a revival in the 1980s when it was the theme song for the film of the same name, which starred River Phoenix.
King last went on tour in 2013 and there were no reports of ailing health.
He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Betty, according to the AFP.
Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones. We’ll be singing Stand By Me all day in his honor.
Ben E. King, Master Of The Old-School Slow Jam, Dead At 76 was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
