'Stand By Me' singer Ben E King dies aged 76
His friend Gary U.S. Bond breaks the sad news
R&B and soul icon Ben E King, best known for his defining anthem ‘Stand By Me’, has died at the age of 76.
King’s close friend and fellow musician Gary U.S. Bond broke the news on Facebook this morning, : “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.
“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.”
Born Benjamin Earl King in Henderson, North Carolina in 1938, King’s first taste of success came in the late 1950s when he joined The Drifters scoring chart hits with songs including ‘There Goes My Baby’ and ‘This Magic Moment.’
However, these tracks were eclipsed by his co-penned solo track ‘Stand By Me’, which peaked at no.4 in King’s native United States.
Although it failed to make much impact in the UK upon its initial release, ‘Stand By Me’ topped the charts in 1987 when it soundtracked the movie of the same name starring Corey Feldman and the late River Phoenix.
Over the years the song has charted nine times in the US charts including a version by Beatles legend John Lennon.
In 1999, the BMI announced that ‘Stand By Me’ was the fourth most played song of the 20th Century on US radio and TV and earlier this year the US Library of Congress added what they called a “classic” to the National Recording Registry.
