Ben E. King Dies At Age 76

Via the Telegraph:

Ben E King, the soul and R&B singer best known for the classic song Stand By Me, has died aged 76. His publicist confirmed to The Telegraph that he died of natural causes on Thursday. The singer, loved around the world for the 1961 hit, rose to fame in the late 1950 with The Drifters, with songs including There Goes My Baby and Save The Last Dance For Me. The R&B singer went on to further success with Spanish Harlem, I (Who Have Nothing), and Don't Play That Song (You Lied). Born Benjamin Earl Nelson in North Carolina, he grew up in Harlem, New York and began his singing career in doo wop group the Five Crowns. He went on to sing for The Drifters, leaving in 1960 over a contract and pay dispute.