The singer Ben E. King, famous for the soul classic Stand by Me, has died at the age of 76.
King passed away at his home in New Jersey on Thursday from “natural causes”, his agent said.
Stand by Me spent five weeks at the top of the American charts in 1961, and was given a second lease of life in 1987 when it topped the charts in the UK thanks to a high-profile TV advert.
King had started his career with doo-wop group the Drifters, with whom he sang from 1958-1960. The group enjoyed a succession of hits on the Atlantic Records label, including Save the Last Dance for Me, This Magic Moment and I Count the Tears.
King went solo