ABOVE: Listen to Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me.”
TORONTO — R&B singer Ben E. King, best known for his classic “Stand By Me” died Thursday. He was 76.
“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,” said singer Gary U.S. Bonds in a Facebook message.
“Ben E. will be missed more than words can say. Thank you Ben E. for your friendship and the wonderful legacy you leave behind.”
According to his agent, King died at his New Jersey home of natural causes.
King co-wrote and recorded “Stand By Me” in 1961 and it became a Top 5 hit. The song got a second life when it was featured on the soundtrack of the 1986 film Stand By Me.
Wil Wheaton, who played Gordie in the movie, paid tribute on Twitter.
“Stand By Me,” which has been covered by hundreds of artists over the years, was added by the U.S. Library of Congress to the National Recording Registry earlier this year.
“I do love singing that song,” King told the Liverpool Echo in 2013. “I love the response from the crowd when they hear that intro.”
He told The Big Issue in 2012: “I knew it had some strength, some good words. But I didn’t think much more than that.
“Over the years people have told me how they thought it was a song about their lives. It has, to me, a million stories. It leans in different directions to different people.”
Singer Sarah Dash of LaBelle, a friend of King, tweeted: “My heart is heavy.”
Musician Bootsy Collins remembered King as “another brick from our Soulful Legendary Foundation.”
On his Facebook page, singer Prince Royce — who covered “Stand By Me” in 2010 and performed with King the following year — said: “I am shocked and saddened by the passing of such a legend, a kind, gentle giant of the music industry. I feel blessed to have known, worked and performed with him – he made me feel like a friend. Ben will always be in my heart as my mentor and my role model and someone who inspired me and opened the door for me in my career. May he rest in peace.”
Born Benjamin Earl King in Henderson, North Carolina, he moved to Harlem with his family when he was a young boy.
His music career began in 1958 when he became part of doo wop group Five Crowns, which later became the Drifters. King sang lead on the group’s hits “There Goes My Baby,” “Save the Last Dance for Me” and “This Magic Moment.”
King left the Drifters in 1960 and started a solo career, debuting with the 1961 hit “Spanish Harlem.” His other singles include “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied),” “I (Who Have Nothing)” and “Amor.”
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Drifters.
“I’d never have dreamed back in the day that I’d have such an amazing career,” King told the Echo. “I always felt I never chose music, it chose me. I’m so lucky — it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”
In The Big Issue, he spoke of the importance of laughter. “That’s the key – it’s important to be happy,” said King. “Age comes upon you bit by bit by bit – if you didn’t look in the mirror and chastise yourself, you wouldn’t be affected by it.
“We all do that, we like to punish ourselves, but really, it’s a blessing to have another day to enjoy.”
King is survived by his wife of 51 years, Betty.
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