TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - American Soul and R&B singer best known for his legendary single ‘Stand By Me’ in 1961, Ben E. King died has died on Thursday, April 30 at the age of 76, The Telegraph reported. King’s publicist confirmed that the singer died of natural causes.

King’s started to gain fame in late 1950s with The Drifters who is known for their famous hit singles such as 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).

King was born as Benjamin Earl Nelson in North Carolina and grew uo in Harlem, New York and began singing career in doo wop group the Five Crowns.

Below is the lyric of the everlasting song “Stand by Me”:

When the night has come

And the land is dark

And the moon is the only light we'll see

No, I won't be afraid

Oh, I won't be afraid

Just as long as you stand, stand by me

So darling, darling

Stand by me, oh stand by me

Oh stand, stand by me

Stand by me

If the sky, that we look upon

Should tumble and fall

And the mountain should crumble to the sea

I won't cry, I won't cry

No, I won't shed a tear

Just as long as you stand, stand by me

And darling, darling

Stand by me, oh stand by me

Oh stand now, stand by me

Stand by me

So darling, darling

Stand by me, oh stand by me

Oh stand now, stand by me, stand by me

Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me

Oh stand by me, oh won't you stand now, stand

Stand by me

Stand by me

TEMPO.CO