Legendary singer Benjamin Earl Nelson also known as Ben E King, who is well known all around the world for the classic song Stand By Me, has died at the age of 76, due to natural causes. King was survived by his wife of 51 years, Betty.

Ben E King was a native of North Carolina who moved to New York City as a boy. He started his career in the late 1950s with The Drifters, singing hits including There Goes My Baby and Save The Last Dance For Me. After going solo, he hit the US top five with Stand By Me in 1961. The song “Stand By Me,” inspired by a gospel song, which he recorded on his own.

King’s other hits included Spanish Harlem, Amor, Don’t Play That Song (You Lied) and Supernatural Thing – Part I, Oh My Love, Sometimes I wonder..etc.

King returned to the spotlight again in the late 1980s when Stand By Me was the theme song for Rob Reiner’s film about boyhood friendship and was used in a British TV commercial for Levi’s jeans.

King’s “I (Who Have Nothing)” was selected for the Sopranos Peppers and Eggs Soundtrack CD (2001). King was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2009.