R&B and soul star Ben. E. King, best known for the 1961 ballad "Stand By Me," has died at age 76.
The baritone singer passed away on Thursday, his rep told NBC News. No details were given.
King was born Benjamin Earl Nelson on Sept. 28, 1938 in Henderson, North Carolina and grew up in New York City's Harlem neighborhood. He rose to fame in the 1950s as a member of The Drifters, recording popular tracks such as "There Goes My Baby" and "Save The Last Dance For Me," and also embarked on a solo career, releasing hits such as "Spanish Harlem" and later, "Stand By Me," the song that made him famous.
"Stand By Me" was featured in the soundtrack of an iconic coming-of-age 1986 film of the same name, which starred Wil Wheaton, Jerry O'Connell, Corey Feldman, Kiefer Sutherland and the late River Phoenix. He and Wheaton starred in a music video for the song and the movie, which was featured on the DVD.
"I only met Ben E. King once, when we did the music video for Stand By Me," Wheaton tweeted on Friday. "He was a kind and gentle man. May he rest in peace."
The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Earlier this year, the U.S. Library of Congress added the iconic song to the National Recording Registry."Stand By Me" has been covered, professionally and non-professionally, by the likes of John Lennon, Imagine Dragons, Bono and even Thor actor Tom Hiddleston.
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"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," he said. "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."
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