NEW YORK (Reuters) – Soul and R&B singer Ben E. King, famous for his deep, velvety baritone voice and the classic hit song “Stand by Me,” died of natural causes in New Jersey at the age of 76, his representative said on Friday.
“He passed away on Thursday,” said publicist Phil Brown, adding funeral arrangements would be announced within days.
King was born in North Carolina and moved to Harlem, New York, as a child. He began his career in the doo-wop group The Five Crowns, which later became The Drifters, before branching out as a solo artist.
“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 year years, Mr Ben E. King,” R&B singer Gary U.S. Bonds said on Facebook.
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